Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered by providing the skills and 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!
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Mission Defense Cyber Team has an opening for a systems engineer in the Cyber specialty discipline. As a Cyber Systems Engineer (CSE) supporting the Sentinel program based out San Antonio, TX.
A Cybersecurity Systems Engineer (CSSE) will implement weapon system requirements to ensure cyber survivability attributes are implemented in system designs as it assesses/evaluates the customers’/stakeholders’ cybersecurity requirements to decompose, derive, and refine the system’s cybersecurity requirements at all levels to drive the built-in cybersecurity protections to the architecture and design. The CSSE also guides/supports the security layout / architecture and influences the security tools selection and development. The CSSE evaluates/assesses the proposed and realized implementations to identify security risks, attack surface, and verify the cybersecurity protections from the design are realized and integrated. The CSSE guides/supports the development of verification efforts to ensure the cybersecurity protections / capabilities are functional, effective, and complete. A CSSE supports the definition of security governance, and risk management.
Cyber Systems Engineering Technical Support to Program:
Work within the Systems Engineering Group to provide technical decisions and guidance to enable timely, high quality product deliveries and flight test events that meet mission cyber requirements
Partner and collaborate with other program systems engineers across Integrated Product Teams to accomplish program cyber requirements and meet mission objectives
As a member of a team of specialized NGMS cyber systems engineers, support the development and enhancement of Launch and Missile Defense systems
Participate as part of an extended team of US government, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Northrop Grumman Space, and supplier of cybersecurity practitioners across multiple program locations
Ensure weapon system compliance with all contractually obligated cybersecurity standards and guidance, including but not limited to CNSSI 1253, DoD 8570, DoD 8510, and AFI 17-101
Propose and design cyber systems architecture changes with traceability to requirements
Provide cyber implementation guidance and oversight across technical teams
Develop and document technical standard engineering processes and procedures as needed
Participate in engineering reviews of technical requirements, design and implementation plans prior to development of computer systems, digital communications systems, networking devices, computer architectures
Perform cyber-attack surface analysis of system designs with recommendations to mitigate and reduce risk
Participate in cybersecurity assessment activities and review cybersecurity assessment methods, plans, procedures, reports and security penetration test planning and execution.
Provide input to program milestones and metrics, adhering to cybersecurity-relevant plans and schedules
Identify problems and research technical solutions to resolve these problems
Apply analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of Cyber Security implementation
Solve complex problems across disciplines in an Agile, DevSecOps environment
· Support program engineering review boards
Basic Qualifications for a Staff Cyber Systems Engineer
Bachelor’s degree with 12 years, master’s degree with 10 years, or a PhD with 8 years of experience in: Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity Engineering, or related technical fields or 18 years’ experience in lieu of a degree.
Direct Experience utilizing NIST 800-160 system security engineer and the system development life cycle
Processing SOW, requirements, architecture, design, implementation, integration, verification & validation, field test, etc.
Direct experience developing RMF assessment and authorization documentation
Current DoD 8570 certification for IASAE Level II (CISSP) and ability to obtain IASAE Level III within 6 months of Hire
Active Secret clearance
Preferred Qualifications
System security architecture experience
Experience working with DOORS and CAMEO
Security related tool suite in DevSecOps pipeline (SonarQube, Fortify etc)
Familiarity with Systems Security Engineering (SSE) documentation (e.g. Cybersecurity Strategies, Information Support Plans, Program Protection Plans (PPPs)
Familiarity with Anti-Tamper Plans, Counterintelligence Support Plans, Integrated Threat Assessment Reports, Operations Security Plans, Continuous Monitoring Plans, Defensive Cyberspace Operations Plans, Cybersecurity Strategies, Information Support Plans, Enterprise Architecture Views and NIST SP 800-160
DoD 8570 certification for IASAE III (ISSEP, ISSAP)
Experience with Agile methodologies
Active TS/SCI clearance
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 12 years, master's with 10 years, PhD with 8 years in Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity Engineering, or related field OR 18 years' experience in lieu of a degree.
- Direct experience utilizing NIST SP 800-160 systems security engineering and the system development life cycle.
- Experience processing SOW, requirements, architecture, design, implementation, integration, verification and validation, and field test.
- Direct experience developing RMF assessment and authorization documentation.
- Current DoD 8570 certification for IASAE Level II (CISSP) and ability to obtain IASAE Level III within 6 months of hire.
- Active Secret clearance.
- System security architecture experience.
- Experience working with DOORS and CAMEO.
- Experience with security tool suites in a DevSecOps pipeline (e.g., SonarQube, Fortify).
- Familiarity with Systems Security Engineering documentation (Cybersecurity Strategies, Information Support Plans, Program Protection Plans, etc.).
- Familiarity with Anti-Tamper Plans, Counterintelligence Support Plans, Integrated Threat Assessment Reports, Continuous Monitoring Plans, and related docs.
- DoD 8570 certification for IASAE III (ISSEP, ISSAP).
- Experience with Agile methodologies.
- Active TS/SCI 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.







