Join Northrop Grumman – Cincinnati (aka Xetron), part of Mission Systems sector, focused on the development of new capabilities for our military and intelligence customers around the globe. Our Northrop Grumman Cincinnati, Ohio small business culture operates collaboratively within a larger corporation providing the benefits of both. This unique relationship offers employees the ability to know everyone at the site while working on technologies and products that are beyond state-of-the-art. You and your team will wrestle with the next big problems in an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation, sharing your expertise while learning from the expert next to you. Remember when you were excited about getting to work because of the challenge of the problem, the importance of the solution and the fun you had with your team? It's that kind of place! But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself! See why we receive comments on our YouTube Videos like “This company is insanely advanced” and “Wow. This is mind blowing.” See some of our recent Awards and Recognition and read about some of the reasons to live in Cincinnati.
We are seeking cleared Senior Principal Cyber Test Software Engineer who are self‑motivated and energetic, with a background in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical disciplines.
Responsibilities:
This position involves testing of developed solutions to national security threats with products that may involve kernel development, reverse engineering, or vulnerability research of network and communication systems. The position requires solid software development skills and test capabilities, including familiarity with scripting languages. Knowledge of computer networking, modern software development environments, embedded programming, automated software testing tools and software configuration management tools is a plus.
Essential Duties:
- Assisting with system requirements definition.
- Testing Software to ensure it meets system requirements both manually and with automated scripts.
- Writing software test plans, test procedures, and automated testing scripts.
Basic Qualifications for Cyber Software Engineer Level:
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering with 8 years relevant work experience; or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering with 6 years relevant work experience; or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering with 3 years relevant work experience.
- Programming and automation experience in python with debugging and/or system analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, IDAPro, OllyDebug, WinDBG, JTAG debuggers.)
- Experience with System Requirements and ability to assist with Systems Requirements reviews.
- Experience writing test plans, procedures and final software assessments.
- Must be willing to work full-time onsite in Cincinnati, OH.
- Experience as Technical Lead leading teams of 2-8 engineers.
- US Citizenship required.
- Must have an active Secret clearance or higher with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active TS/SCI Clearance with Polygraph.
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field.
- Experience in software development to include any of the following: kernel mode, embedded, command and control, web applications, network applications.
- Experience with SDLC (software development life cycle.)
- Familiarity with Assembly Languages (e.g., x86, x64, MIPS, PPC, or ARM.)
- Experience with vulnerability research on one or more operating systems (Android, IOS, Windows, Linux, etc.)
- Experience with emulation (Renode, QEMU, etc.)
- Experience with reverse engineering compiled binaries using industry-standard tools such as Ghidra or IDA Pro.
- OS Internals experience.
- Development of lower-level networking protocols such as TCP/IP and UDP.
- Understanding of return-oriented programming (ROP) concepts and execution.
- Ability to develop and implement shell code.
- Ability to understand secure / insecure programming concepts (format string vulnerabilities, heap overflows, etc.)
- Familiarity with modern source control platforms (e.g., Git, GitHub, GitLab) and CI/CD workflows using tools such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI.
- Experience with the Agile methodology.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering with 8 years of relevant experience
- Master’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering with 6 years of relevant experience
- Ph.D. in Computer Science or Computer Engineering with 3 years of relevant experience
- Programming and automation experience in Python with debugging or system analysis tools
- Experience with system requirements and requirements reviews
- Experience writing software test plans, procedures, and final software assessments
- Willingness to work full-time onsite in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Experience leading teams of 2 to 8 engineers as a technical lead
- U.S. citizenship
- Active Secret clearance or higher, with ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance
- Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field
- Software development experience in kernel-mode, embedded, command-and-control, web, or network applications
- Experience with the software development life cycle
- Familiarity with Assembly languages such as x86, x64, MIPS, PPC, or ARM
- Vulnerability research experience on Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, or other operating systems
- Emulation experience with Renode, QEMU, or similar tools
- Reverse engineering compiled binaries using Ghidra, IDA Pro, or similar tools
- Operating system internals experience
- Development of lower-level networking protocols including TCP/IP and UDP
- Understanding of return-oriented programming concepts and execution
- Ability to develop and implement shellcode
- Understanding of secure and insecure programming concepts, including format-string vulnerabilities and heap overflows
- Familiarity with Git, GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and CI/CD workflows
- Experience with Agile methodology
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.
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.









