Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (DS) is seeking a System Security Engineer 3 or 4 to join a team responsible for developing next generation anti-tamper security solutions for weapon systems within the Advanced Weapons Business Unit located in Northridge, CA. Our Advanced Weapons team designs, develops, and manufactures missile systems that support U.S. national and allied security objectives.
This position is required to be full-time, on-site in the Northridge, CA location. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position. Applicants must have a current US Government Secret clearance.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The System Security Engineer level 3 or 4 should have a background with Anti-Tamper type projects to support protecting critical defense technologies, mission systems, and intellectual property from reverse engineering, exploitation, and unauthorized transfer by driving System Security Engineering (SSE) activities across our Advanced Weapons programs.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Analyzing system requirements, architectures, designs, and interfaces to identify AT Critical Program Information (CPI) and protection needs
- Defining AT architectures
- Deriving and documenting AT requirements
- Writing and maintaining AT Plans
- Developing and testing Verification & Validation (V&V) Procedures
- Executing V&V of AT requirements, including test planning and verification of AT features by participation in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and security assessments
- Preparing and delivering briefings, reports, and technical documentation to internal leadership and government customers
- Collaborating SSE activities with systems, software and hardware to integrate AT into weapon system design and implementation
- Providing technical input to risk management activities and assist in tracking and mitigating AT-related program risks and issues
Development Opportunities:
- Strategic planning of AT technology development
- Participating in communities of practice to further domain knowledge
- Reverse Engineering to architect and validate AT solutions
The successful candidate should have a foundation in System Engineering with a focus on anti-tamper, cybersecurity, embedded software and/or hardware development. The SSE interfaces with other engineering disciplines to develop the complete system security solution.
This position may be filled at a higher grade based on the qualifications listed below.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS (Level 3):
- BS degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM discipline with 5+ years of general technical experience; or MS with 3+ years of general technical experience
- Systems Engineering knowledge of weapon systems platforms, sensors and/or sub-systems
- Familiarity with embedded software or hardware, hardware design, architecture and/or integration
- Familiarity with requirements development and derivation and verification and validation
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical writing skills
- Active DoD Secret clearance with the ability to obtain higher clearance
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS (Level 4):
- BS degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM discipline with 8+ years of general technical experience; or MS with 6+ years of general technical experience
- Systems Engineering experience in weapon systems platforms, sensors and/or sub-systems
- Experience with embedded software or hardware, hardware design, architecture and/or integration
- Experience executing Systems Engineering activities such as requirements development and derivation, design, integration and test, verification and validation
- Knowledge of cybersecurity, anti-tamper or secure system design as it applies to program protection
- Demonstrated strong analytical, problem-solving and technical writing skills
- Active DoD Secret clearance with the ability to obtain higher clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Software or Science related field
- Hands on experience with Anti-Tamper, Reverse Engineering, Hardware Design, Embedded Software or Cryptography
- Experience with missile systems platforms
- Direct experience developing or implementing anti-tamper solutions on DoD weapons systems
- Hands on experience with hardware-focused anti-tamper techniques and countermeasures, secure software architectures and applications and/or advanced microelectronic design and fabrication
- Experience working with Government AT agencies, including briefings and technical reviews
- Knowledge of system security engineering standards and frameworks (e.g., DoD SSE guidance, NIST, RMF, STIGs)
- Experience contributing to and/or making technical presentations to internal and external customers
- Experience in a technical leadership role
Skills Required
- BS degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM (or MS) with required years of experience (Level 3: BS+5yrs or MS+3yrs; Level 4: BS+8yrs or MS+6yrs)
- Active DoD Secret clearance (current) with ability to obtain higher clearance
- U.S. Citizenship required
- Systems Engineering knowledge/experience of weapon systems platforms, sensors and/or sub-systems
- Familiarity or experience with embedded software or hardware, hardware design, architecture and/or integration
- Experience with requirements development and derivation, verification and validation (V&V), design, integration and test
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical writing skills
- Willingness to work full-time on-site in Northridge, CA (no remote/telework)
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Software, or Science
- Hands-on experience with Anti-Tamper, Reverse Engineering, Hardware Design, Embedded Software or Cryptography
- Experience with missile systems platforms or implementing anti-tamper solutions on DoD weapons systems
- Hands-on experience with hardware-focused anti-tamper techniques, secure software architectures, and microelectronic design/fabrication
- Experience working with Government AT agencies, including briefings and technical reviews
- Knowledge of system security engineering standards and frameworks (DoD SSE guidance, NIST, RMF, STIGs)
- Experience contributing to technical presentations and technical leadership roles
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.









