SkillBridge Program Description:
As one of the largest global security companies in the world, Northrop Grumman is proud to help our nation’s military personnel navigate their next chapter into civilian careers. Approximately 20% of Northrop Grumman’s 100,000 employees self-identify as veterans, and more than 2,000 are reservists.
The Northrop Grumman SkillBridge Program is an approved SkillBridge Program under Dept. of Defense Instruction 1322.29. The program is an opportunity for service members preparing for civilian careers to gain valuable civilian work experience during their last 6 months of service, for up to 180 days. The SkillBridge Program is open to all ranks and experience levels. SkillBridge participants are not eligible for compensation from Northrop Grumman, as they continue to receive military compensation and benefits as active-duty service members.
Responsibilities for SkillBridge Program participation are:
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) has developed the Northrop Grumman – SkillBridge Program (SkillBridge) utilizing the DoDI guidance for SkillBridge. Through this program, the service-member will work on site with their host company, gaining experience in an entry to mid-level career path. The service member will be on the job training supporting a work schedule equivalent to 40hrs per week. Outlined below are the Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes for the program.
Goals – Provide separating service-members with job skills training in a professional setting during the final phase of their military service. This program is specifically designed to offer hands-on experience that result in the potential to convert to a full-time opportunity as the conclusion of the training. Participants will serve as a pipeline for high-speed, motivated military candidates into NGC.
Objectives - Service Members who complete the SkillBridge program will be highly trained, capable, future employees that align to the specific needs of the organization and are prepared to meet the NG mission “Defining Possible” on Day 1. This program provides comprehensive hands-on experience including professional development, networking with leadership, and training specifically focused on NG leadership principles, company history, customer/stakeholder engagement, product and service overview, and core job responsibilities.
Outcome – Offer service-members preparing for civilian careers a rewarding opportunity to join the Northrop Grumman team.
SkillBridge Eligibility:
Has served at least 180 days on active duty
Is within 12 months of separation or retirement
Will receive an honorable discharge
Has taken any service TAPS/TGPS
Has attended or participated in an ethics brief within the last 12 months
Received Unit Commander (first O-4/Field Grade commander in chain of command) written authorization and approval to participate in SkillBridge Program prior to start of internship.
Before Applying
IMPORTANT – Please complete SkillBridge Prescreen by Joining the Military / Veteran Talent Network
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal or Sr Principal Cyber Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be responsible for System Security Engineering (SSE) across all phases of a system’s acquisition / development lifecycle.
The selected Cyber Systems Engineer will perform as a member of an interdisciplinary team on a key effort to develop novel and innovative solutions to advanced technical problems.
Essential Functions:
The successful candidate will develop and deliver secure system architecture implementations based on DoD, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI), and Risk Management Framework (RMF) processes, policies and guidelines. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
Essential functions include:
Verification and validation of system level cybersecurity requirements to support successful system sell-off
Maintaining awareness of and providing SSE input to subsystem-level cybersecurity architectures to ensure seamless integration into system level architectures
Support ongoing authorization efforts including briefing authorization status and development of supporting documentation in coordination with internal and external stakeholders
Serve as a technical liaison to internal and external teams in support of program activities requiring SSE subject matter expertise
Basic (Minimum) Qualifications:
For Principal Level: Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years Cybersecurity experience OR Master’s degree in a STEM and 3 years of experience OR PhD in STEM and 1 year of experience
For Senior Principal Level: Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 8 years Cybersecurity experience OR Master’s degree in a STEM and 6 years of experience OR PhD in STEM and 4 years of experience
Familiarity with DoD System Security Engineering activities (security requirements engineering, risk assessment and management, secure architecture design, implementation and verification activities)
Must have an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance (at a minimum, with a background investigation completed within last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance before establishing a start date (contingency)
Possess a DODD 8140.01 qualifying certification, such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or similar network/security certifications or have the ability to acquire a qualifying certification within 6 months of starting
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with Risk Management Framework (RMF), development of System Security Plans, Assessment Reports, attack path modeling, and mitigation strategies
Experience with embedded computing environments and technologies
Experience with cloud computing environments and technologies
Experience developing cybersecurity architectures in a Digital Engineering environment
Experience applying agile methodologies to the development of cybersecurity capabilities for embedded systems
Experience working on a multidisciplinary team and writing technical proposals
Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management
Familiarity with U.S Government Anti-Tamper (AT) processes and implementations
Currently have or have the ability to obtain a DoD Top Secret security clearance to include a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI)
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Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline plus 5 years of cybersecurity experience for Principal level, or 8 years for Senior Principal level
- Master’s degree in a STEM discipline plus 3 years of cybersecurity experience for Principal level, or 6 years for Senior Principal level
- PhD in a STEM discipline plus 1 year of cybersecurity experience for Principal level, or 4 years for Senior Principal level
- Familiarity with DoD System Security Engineering activities, including security requirements engineering, risk assessment, secure architecture, implementation, and verification
- Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance with a recent background investigation or current Continuous Evaluation enrollment
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance before establishing a start date
- DODD 8140.01 qualifying certification, such as CompTIA Security+ or CISSP, or ability to obtain one within six months
- Experience with RMF, System Security Plans, Assessment Reports, attack path modeling, and mitigation strategies
- Experience with embedded computing environments and technologies
- Experience with cloud computing environments and technologies
- Experience developing cybersecurity architectures in a Digital Engineering environment
- Experience applying agile methodologies to cybersecurity capabilities for embedded systems
- Experience working on multidisciplinary teams and writing technical proposals
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to interface across employee and management levels
- Familiarity with U.S. Government Anti-Tamper processes and implementations
- Current or obtainable DoD Top Secret security clearance, including SSBI
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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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
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.
