The Western Region Systems Engineering organization within Northrop Grumman Space Systems pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!
*This position is contingent upon program award and the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance of the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.
Northrop Grumman in Azusa, CA is seeking a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer (Level 3) or Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer (Level 4) to join our team of qualified and diverse individuals. This position will be fully reporting on-site to our campus in Azusa.
What you will get to do:
Performs technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems. Analyses are performed at all levels of total system product to include: concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal. Ensures the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Performs functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
You will also have immediate impacts on:
Development and updates to the Program Protection Plans (PPPs) in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 5200.39, DoDI 5000.02, and AFPAM 63-113, for programs in the portfolio.
Develops and update the Anti-Tamper Plans (ATP) in accordance with DoDI 5200.39, DoDI 5000.02, and AFPAM 63-113.
Coordinating the design, implementation, verification, and documentation of NIST RMF 800-53 controls (e.g. translating and tracing technical specification requirements) and ASD STIG requirements across software and hardware components, both technical and program policies (documentation).
Determine control program applicability from customer flowed cyber controls and determine gaps. Advise and shape resolution on gaps through working technical meetings with senior leaders and customers.
Assess system vulnerabilities and mission risks using guidelines from the DoD Cyber T&E Guidebook while analyzing test data to evaluate system resilience against advanced cyber threats.
Develops and update the Technology Assessment and Control Plan (TA/CP) in accordance with DoDI 5200.39, DoDI 5000.02, and AFPAM 63-113.
Evaluates acquisition documents for compliance with Critical Program Information (CPI) and Critical Components (CCs) protection requirements in accordance with the PPP and provide a detailed written assessment.
Support supplier change proposals e.g. Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), Task Change Proposals (TCPs), Configuration Change Proposals (CCPs), waivers and deviations, and provide security assessments in accordance with the applicable system contract, acquisition plan, SCG, and the PPP.
Evaluates internal, public, foreign, classified, and unclassified requests for information (average of 25 per month) in accordance with the SCG and PPP.
Leads the program office System Security Working Group (SSWG) meetings in accordance with the applicable Charters
Conduct Criticality Analysis (CAs) to determine the Critical Functions and Critical Components (CCs) of mission systems and develop/identify risk mitigations
Additional P2 responsibilities include requirement development, Software assurance, and RMF ATO package preparation.
Basic Qualifications (Level 3):
Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM field & 5 years of related technical experience, OR a Master’s Degree in a STEM field & 3 years of related technical experience; OR PhD in a STEM field & 1 years of related technical experience.
Ability to obtain & maintain a DoD secret security clearance or higher (US Citizenship Required)
Ability to obtain a CISSP within 6 months of hire
Basic Qualifications (Level 4):
Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM field & 8 years of related technical experience, OR a Master’s Degree in a STEM field & 6 years of related technical experience; OR PhD in a STEM field & 4 years of related technical experience.
Ability to obtain & maintain a DoD secret security clearance or higher (US Citizenship Required)
Ability to obtain a CISSP within 6 months of hire
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or Master’s within cyber or related systems field
5+ years of cyber systems experience
Experience reviewing and implementing NIST RMF controls and DISA ASD STIGs
Experience presenting to a technical stakeholder base
Experience with DOD Cyber T&E Guidebook
Current & active DoD security clearance
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 5 years of related technical experience for Level 3; or master's degree and 3 years; or PhD and 1 year
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 8 years of related technical experience for Level 4; or master's degree and 6 years; or PhD and 4 years
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance or higher
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain a CISSP within 6 months of hire
- Cyber or related systems field degree
- 5 or more years of cyber systems experience
- Experience reviewing and implementing NIST RMF controls and DISA ASD STIGs
- Experience presenting to technical stakeholders
- Experience with the DoD Cyber T&E Guidebook
- Current and active DoD security clearance
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.








