Principal / Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Posted Yesterday
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Huntsville, AL, USA
In-Office
120K-224K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Designs, implements, assesses, and maintains cybersecurity controls for mission-critical systems under NSA and DoD frameworks. Responsibilities include RMF and CMMC compliance, security authorization documentation, POA&M management, vulnerability assessment, security tool configuration, system hardening, threat modeling, secure architecture, cyber requirements, testing, risk mitigation, and technical leadership. The role supports enterprise security infrastructure, including authentication, IDS/IPS, encryption, COMSEC, EMSEC, and security monitoring.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At 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.

Northrop Grumman is looking for a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer / Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer to support our Foreign Military Sales (FMS) department as part of the Global Command and Control Solutions (GC2S) Business Unit (BU). As a member of the FMS department you’ll work in a fast-paced team environment alongside engineers of all flavors to make our technologies a reality. This position will serve on-site at an NG Facility in Huntsville, AL. This position can be filled at a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer or Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer level.


Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.


Responsibilities:


  • Design, plan, implement, and perform assessment of security controls, polices, and processes that are compliant with National Security Agency (NSA) programs and DoD wide frameworks such as Risk Management Framework (RMF) and CMMC
  • Participate in assessment of systems security controls to validate control implementation and identify weaknesses
  • Document the results of Certification and Accreditation activities, technical or coordination activity, prepare the system Security Plans, and update the POA&M
  • Periodically conduct a complete review of each system's audits and monitor corrective actions until all actions are closed Implementation, automation, configuration and maintenance of security tools, centralized authentication solutions, IDS/IPS, and compliance baselines
  • Provide advanced technical analyses of cyber infrastructure challenges and problems; develop/identify technical solutions responsive to customer needs
  • Participate in team reviews of technical requirements, design and implementation plans prior to deployment
  • Recommend and implement system enhancements that will improve the performance, reliability, and security of the system including installing, upgrading, monitoring, problem resolution, and configuration
  • Serve as a Cyber SME supporting high-level technical and practical expertise
  • Assures the implementation of Cyber Security disciplines, including COMSEC, EMSEC, OPSEC, digital communications systems, network protocols and architectures, and penetration tools and techniques
  • Support the continuous assessment of Cyber Control compliance for systems within their responsibility

Basic Qualifications for Principal Cyber Systems Engineer:


  • 5 years of experience with Bachelors in Science; 3 Years with Masters; 1 Year with PhD
  • US Citizenship and active DoD secret clearance
  • Current DoD 8570 IAT Level II Certification (Security+) or higher.
  • Experience translating technical concepts and program information to others
  • Experience with threat modeling, risk assessment, secure design principles
  • Familiarity with common frameworks/controls (e.g., NIST SP 800-53, RMF, CIS Controls)
  • Knowledge of:
    • Network security (firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs)
    • Host/application security (hardening, secure coding concepts)
    • Identity & access management, encryption, key management
  • Experience with vulnerability management and security testing (scans, ST&E, pen-test coordination)


Preferred Qualifications for Principal Cyber Systems Engineer:


  • In-depth knowledge of DoD 8500-series directives.
  • System Administrator Experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Windows Systems
  • In-depth understanding of planning, design, and implementation necessary to support a large enterprise system
  • Working knowledge of NIST 800-series documents
  • Experience with configuring Security Incident Event Monitoring and IDS/IPS tools such as ACAS, ESS, and Splunk on Linux RedHat and Windows environments
  • Experience with vulnerability and compliance scanners such
  • Working experience deploying and configuring Linux and Windows systems in accordance with DoD STIG requirements
  • Experience in developing scripts to automate security processes

Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer:


  • 8 years of experience with Bachelors in Science; 6 Years with Masters; 4 Years with PhD
  • US Citizenship and active DoD secret clearance
  • Current DoD 8570 IAT Level II Certification (Security+) or higher
  • Experience translating technical concepts and program information to others
  • Deep expertise in:
    • Secure architecture and design for complex, distributed, or mission-critical systems
    • Applying NIST RMF, NIST 800-53, 800-171, CNSSI 1253, or similar frameworks
    • Designing and evaluating defense-in-depth strategies (network, host, application, data, identity)
  • Experience leading security architecture trade studies
  • Experience defining cyber requirements, test approaches, and risk mitigations at system-of-systems level
  • Engage on ATO/Authorization strategy and major security reviews.
  • Comfortable owning the overall system architecture, not just one component
  • Proficiency in:
    • Requirements decomposition & allocation, especially for cyber controls
    • Interface design, integration strategies, and end-to-end V&V planning

Preferred Qualifications for Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer:


  • In-depth knowledge of DoD 8500-series directives.
  • Excellent communication (written and oral), negotiation and interpersonal skills necessary to support known activities/challenges working with engineering teams, management, customers, partners and government
  • System Administrator Experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Windows Systems
  • In-depth understanding of planning, design, and implementation necessary to support a large enterprise system.
  • Working knowledge of NIST 800-series documents
  • Experience with configuring Security Incident Event Monitoring and IDS/IPS tools such as ACAS, ESS, and Splunk on Linux RedHat and Windows environments
  • Experience with vulnerability and compliance scanners such.
  • Working experience deploying and configuring Linux and Windows systems in accordance with DoD STIG requirements
  • Experience in developing scripts to automate security processes.
  • In-depth systems engineering knowledge to include understanding of systems engineering lifecycle
  • Experience in managing stakeholder expectations, programmatic risk management, and customer engagement

Primary Level Salary Range: $119,600.00 - $179,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $149,300.00 - $223,900.00

The 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 of Science with 5 years of experience, or master's degree with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year for the Principal level
  • Bachelor of Science with 8 years of experience, or master's degree with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years for the Sr. Principal level
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Active DoD Secret clearance
  • Current DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification, such as Security+, or higher
  • Ability to translate technical concepts and program information to others
  • Experience with threat modeling, risk assessment, and secure design principles
  • Familiarity with NIST SP 800-53, RMF, and CIS Controls
  • Knowledge of network security, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, and VPNs
  • Knowledge of host and application security, including hardening and secure coding concepts
  • Knowledge of identity and access management, encryption, and key management
  • Experience with vulnerability management and security testing, including scans, ST&E, and penetration-test coordination
  • In-depth knowledge of DoD 8500-series directives
  • System administration experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Windows systems
  • Experience planning, designing, and implementing large enterprise systems
  • Working knowledge of NIST 800-series documents
  • Experience configuring security information and event monitoring and IDS/IPS tools such as ACAS, ESS, and Splunk
  • Experience deploying and configuring Linux and Windows systems according to DoD STIG requirements
  • Experience developing scripts to automate security processes
  • Deep expertise in secure architecture and design for complex, distributed, or mission-critical systems
  • Experience applying NIST RMF, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, CNSSI 1253, or similar frameworks
  • Experience designing and evaluating defense-in-depth strategies
  • Experience leading security architecture trade studies
  • Experience defining cyber requirements, test approaches, and risk mitigations at the system-of-systems level
  • Experience with ATO and authorization strategies and major security reviews
  • Experience owning overall system architecture
  • Proficiency in requirements decomposition and allocation, interface design, integration strategies, and end-to-end verification and validation planning
  • Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
  • Systems engineering lifecycle knowledge
  • Experience managing stakeholder expectations, programmatic risk, and customer engagement

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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.

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