The Role
The Principal or Senior Principal Network Engineer will design, configure, troubleshoot, and support networked systems in a defense environment. Responsibilities include solving increasingly complex technical problems, collaborating with stakeholders, applying engineering standards, and supporting Windows and Linux environments. The role requires Top Secret and Special Access Program clearance eligibility, with preferred experience in network security, encryption, tactical military networks, virtualization, network monitoring, and traffic analysis tools.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems sector is seeking a Principal Network Engineer/Sr. Principal Network Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in defining the future. This position will be located in Melbourne, FL.
**This position may be filled by either at the Principal Network Engineer level OR at the Sr. Principal Network Engineer level based on the qualifications listed.**
Tasks include, but are not limited to:
- The selected candidate will demonstrate technical skills, organization, be an effective communicator, and problem solver who is able to develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- The candidate will demonstrate a commitment to ethics and integrity, and the capability to innovate.
- They will have the ability to operate in a team environment and collaborate across the program as required to accomplish tasking.
- Generally frequent use and application of technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques.
- Demonstrates the skill and ability to perform moderately complex professional tasks.
- Problem Solving and provides solutions to a variety of technical problems of increasing scope and complexity as assigned
- Work is reviewed for soundness of technical judgment, overall adequacy and accuracy.
- Work under general supervision.
Basic Qualifications:
Principal Network Engineer:
- Must have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering; OR a Master’s of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 3 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering; or a Ph.D. in a STEM discipline AND 1 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering.
- Must have an US Government clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain an interim Top Secret prior to starting, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the business.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
- Experience with AGILE processes and SCRUM tools (JIRA, Confluence)
- Experience with Windows and Linux configuration and troubleshooting.
Basic Qualifications:
Sr. Principal Network Engineer:
- Must have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering; OR a Master’s of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 6 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering; or a Ph.D. in a STEM discipline AND 4 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering.
- Must have an US Government clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain an interim Top Secret prior to starting, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the business.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
- Experience with AGILE processes and SCRUM tools (JIRA, Confluence)
- Experience with Windows and Linux configuration and troubleshooting.
Preferred Qualifications:
- DODD 8570 certifications, such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or similar network/security certifications.
- A professional certification specific to the networking industry like a CCNA/CCNP/CCIE or equivalent.
- Experience with authentication and data encryption methods, to include securing communications at either the datalink or network layer.
- Experience with embedded systems, Unix and Linux operating systems, single board computers, servers and Network Attached Storage (NAS) solutions.
- Experience with non-Cisco networking environments such as Juniper or Palo Alto.
- Experience with virtualization environments.
- Working knowledge of cyber security and Risk Managed Framework (RMF), STIGs and associated elements.
- Experience with network management applications, like Splunk, Firepower Management Center (FMC), and/or Cisco ISE.
- Experience with HAIPE/TACLANE and other military COMSEC/CRYPTO equipment and procedures.
- Experience with tactical/military radio networks, like Common Data Link (CDL) and ANW2.
- Experience performing troubleshooting with traffic capture tools, such as Wireshark and tcpdump, nmap and netcat.
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience for the Principal level
- Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience for the Principal level
- Ph.D. in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related engineering experience for the Principal level
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience for the Senior Principal level
- Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience for the Senior Principal level
- Ph.D. in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience for the Senior Principal level
- U.S. government clearance with ability to obtain and maintain an interim Top Secret clearance before starting
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance
- Experience with Agile processes and Scrum tools, including JIRA and Confluence
- Experience configuring and troubleshooting Windows and Linux systems
- DODD 8570 certification such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or equivalent network/security certification
- Networking certification such as CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent
- Experience with authentication and data encryption methods
- Experience with embedded systems, Unix/Linux operating systems, single-board computers, servers, and NAS solutions
- Experience with Juniper, Palo Alto, or other non-Cisco networking environments
- Experience with virtualization environments
- Knowledge of cybersecurity, RMF, STIGs, and related processes
- Experience with Splunk, Firepower Management Center, or Cisco ISE
- Experience with HAIPE, TACLANE, military COMSEC/crypto equipment, or tactical radio networks
- Experience troubleshooting with Wireshark, tcpdump, nmap, and netcat
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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The Company
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
