Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our organization 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.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Sr Principal Cyber Systems Engineer based out of San Diego, CA. As a Sr Principal Cyber Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering, DevSecOps and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation.
What You’ll Get to Do:
Join our product deployment team supporting initial deployment, operations and maintenance of a complex airborne and terrestrial tactical communication system within our customer’s classified laboratories across the United States.
Perform hands-on system installation and integration activities, including staging, installing, and transporting equipment weighing up to 40 pounds
Work closely with several diverse Integrated Product Teams to quickly develop system and process knowledge, provide support on technical documentation, and collaborate on improvements to deployment processes.
Configures and maintains secure Linux, Windows, and cloud computing operating systems, with scans, patches, and hardening the computing environment to meet customer requirements
Collects, audits, generates reports and stores necessary log data for the system review and accounting requirements
Develops artifacts necessary to support assessment and authorization of the system
Maintain certifications and training of the most current and relevant technologies and aspects of a dynamic system with upgrades related to diminished manufacture supply (DMS) and new technologies.
Travel up to 50%
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in science, engineering, or related discipline with 8 years of experience, or 6 years of experience with a Masters degree, or 4 years of experience with STEM PhD
An additional 4 years of relevant experience can be considered in lieu of Bachelors degree
- Experience with IPv4/IPv6 network design, architecture, specifications, and equipment selection
- Experience executing the Risk Management Framework (RMF) lifecycle, managing cyber artifacts, and maintaining continuous monitoring for mid-sized enterprise environments.
- Experience with building, racking, stacking, and cabling enterprise server infrastructure within datacenter rack environments according to engineering schematics.
- Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems, including user management, security patching, and troubleshooting.
Travel up to 50%
Must be US Citizen
Clearance: A current/active U.S Government Secret clearance and ability to obtain a U.S Government Top Secret clearance after starting
Must have the ability to obtain, and maintain, a Special Access Programs (SAP/SAR) level clearance as a condition of continued employment
Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to operate with considerable independence, and to self-identify/purse long-term interests
Experience deploying, configuring, and managing Host Based Security System (HBSS) components, including McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) and point products.
Experience developing Ansible playbooks and roles to automate system configuration, application deployment, and security hardening.
Experience administering VMware vSphere environments, including ESXi host configuration, vCenter management, and virtual machine deployment.
Familiarity with NCDSMO Raise the Bar (RTB) and current CDS/MLS vendors that are certified
DoD 8570 Security certification such as Sec+, CASP, CISSP, or equivalent.
Exposure to the Risk Management Framework and associated security controls.
Familiar with Windows, Linux, and VMWare configuration and troubleshooting.
Active Top Secret clearance
This position is contingent upon active clearance, ability to obtain and maintain SAP, and funding.
Primary Level Salary Range: $156,400.00 - $234,600.00The 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's in science, engineering, or related (8 years experience) or Masters (6 years) or STEM PhD (4 years); or equivalent experience in lieu of degree
- Experience with IPv4/IPv6 network design, architecture, specifications, and equipment selection
- Experience executing the Risk Management Framework (RMF) lifecycle, managing cyber artifacts, and continuous monitoring
- Experience building, racking, stacking, and cabling enterprise server infrastructure within datacenter rack environments per engineering schematics
- Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems, including user management, security patching, and troubleshooting
- Travel up to 50%
- U.S. Citizenship (must be U.S. citizen)
- Current/active U.S. Government Secret clearance and ability to obtain Top Secret after starting
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Programs (SAP/SAR) level clearance
- Ability to operate with considerable independence and pursue long-term technical interests
- Experience deploying, configuring, and managing HBSS components, including McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) and point products
- Experience developing Ansible playbooks and roles to automate configuration, deployment, and security hardening
- Experience administering VMware vSphere environments, including ESXi, vCenter, and VM deployment
- Familiarity with NCDSMO Raise the Bar (RTB) and current CDS/MLS vendors
- DoD 8570 Security certification such as Security+, CASP, CISSP, or equivalent
- Exposure to the Risk Management Framework and associated security controls
- Familiar with Windows, Linux, and VMware configuration and troubleshooting
- Active Top Secret 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.







