SkillBridge - Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.

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.

#MPR

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Before Applying

IMPORTANT – Please complete SkillBridge Prescreen by Joining the Military / Veteran Talent Network

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in Rancho Bernardo, CA. The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct.

Roles and Responsibilities include:

• Lead and support Development and Sustainment cybersecurity execution by identifying risks and driving technical and programmatic remediation across engineering, cybersecurity, program, and customer stakeholders.
• Design, develop, integrate, test, verify, and validate system security solutions.
• Prepare, review, and defend accreditation packages as an Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) or Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM).
• Apply working knowledge of DoD RMF and JSIG requirements for SAP/SCI systems.
• Validate information system security posture, interpret and report findings, and support risk-acceptance recommendations related to security controls implementation.
• Translate RMF controls into system- and design-level requirements, including decomposition, verification planning, and traceability.
• Support vulnerability management, cybersecurity scanning and assessment, compliance package development, and requirements verification using approved tools (e.g., ACAS, Nessus).
• Support host and network hardening using DISA STIGs and SRGs for Windows, UNIX/Linux, hypervisor, and containerized environments.
• Coordinate with systems engineering, software, integration/test, configuration management, security, and program teams to support cybersecurity execution across the system lifecycle.
• Prepare and present cybersecurity and systems engineering materials for reviews, working groups, and stakeholder discussions.
• Apply systems thinking to assess cybersecurity impacts across architecture, operational constraints, program execution, and mission needs.
• Drive process improvements that strengthen cybersecurity planning, traceability, risk management, and closure discipline.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and coordination across multiple stakeholders and disciplines.
• Strong organizational and communication skills

This role requires full-time onsite work at the Rancho Bernardo, CA facility. There is no remote, hybrid, or telework availability for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required in support of program needs.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master of science degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of engineering experience, or a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related experience.
• Must have one of the following certifications: DoD 8140 Cyber Workforce qualification, DoD 8570 IAM Level II, CompTIA SecurityX / CASP, CISSP, or CSSLP.
• Experience preparing and defending accreditation packages as an ISSE or ISSM.
• Experience working with DoD RMF and JSIG for SAP/SCI systems.
• Experience validating security posture, reporting findings, and supporting risk-acceptance recommendations.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Must have an active US Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current SAP access.
• Advanced cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CISSP-ISSEP, CISSP-ISSAP, CSSLP).
• Experience with vulnerability management, cybersecurity assessment and scanning, compliance/authorization packages, and ATO documentation.
• Experience with NIST publications, federal regulations, DoD RMF controls, and cybersecurity authorization requirements.
• Experience with IT principles and practices, including software design, test, and integration.
• Familiarity with Windows and UNIX/Linux platforms (e.g., Red Hat), hypervisor, and containerized environments.
• Experience designing/reviewing hardening using DISA STIGs/SRGs.
• Experience developing and evaluating information systems across the systems development lifecycle in a secure environment.
• Experience working in an Integrated Product Team with engineering, cybersecurity, software, integration/test, configuration management, security, customer, and program stakeholders.

Primary Level Salary Range: $156,400.00 - $234,600.00

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.