Cyber Systems Engineer - Level 3 or 4 (AHT)

Northrop Grumman; South Dakota; On-site; USD 125,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Cyber Systems Engineer at Level 3 or 4 to join our Aurora, Colorado team. The role focuses on design, implementation, and protection of complex systems and cloud environments with an emphasis on RMF, NIST 800-series, and industry-standard cyber security tools.

The candidate will lead RMF activities, develop security documentation, and collaborate with engineers and program management to ensure security requirements are understood and applied.

Qualifications

• Requires active SCI clearance with CI polygraph.
• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience or Master’s degree with 3 years; PhD may substitute experience.
• Security+ or CISSP certification is required.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure/Google)
• Background in Systems Security Engineering per NIST SP 800-160
• Experience with RMF accreditation activities and creating RMF documentation

Responsibilities

• Apply Systems Security Engineering across the lifecycle per NIST SP 800-160.
• Design, implement, and secure cloud infrastructures (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Configure and operate cyber security tools (Rapid7, Trellix, Splunk).
• Maintain cloud security platforms and logging/monitoring.
• Interpret DoD 8500-series and DoDI 8510.01 directives and accreditation requirements.
• Lead RMF accreditation tasks including documentation, scanning, and POA&M management.
• Develop RMF assessment/authorization documentation (SSP, SAP/SR, Contingency Plan).
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure security requirements are implemented.

Skills

Security engineering

RMF/NIST knowledge

DoD IA directives familiarity

Cyber risk guidance

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 5 years experience OR Master’s + 3 years

PhD considered with 0 years experience

Security+ or CISSP certification

Tools

Rapid7

Trellix

Splunk

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people’s lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation’s history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they’re making history.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems (NGSP) is seeking a Cyber Systems Engineer – Level 3 or 4 to join our team at our facility in Aurora, Colorado.

We are seeking a highly motivated Cyber Engineer to support the design, implementation, and protection of complex systems and cloud environments. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in systems security engineering, Risk Management Framework (RMF), and modern cyber tools and platforms, with a proven track record operating in highly classified environments.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Apply Systems Security Engineering principles (per NIST SP 800-160) across the system lifecycle, including requirements definition, architecture, design, implementation, verification, validation, and operations.

• Design, implement, and secure cloud-based infrastructures (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud), including servers, networks, storage, and associated services.

• Configure, integrate, and operate cyber security tools such as Rapid7, Trellix, Splunk, and other industry-standard technologies to support monitoring, detection, incident response, and compliance.

• Implement and maintain cloud security platforms, including configuration of security controls, monitoring, logging, and alerting.

• Interpret and apply DoD 8500-series and DoDI 8510.01 directives, cyber security approaches, security procedures, and accreditation requirements (IATT/ATO).

• Lead and support RMF (NIST 800-37) accreditation activities, including documentation development, control implementation, security scanning, assessment, and continuous monitoring.

• Develop, maintain, and manage Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) to track remediation activities and residual risk.

• Produce and maintain RMF assessment and authorization documentation (e.g., System Security Plan, Security Assessment Plan/Report, Contingency Plan, Incident Response Plan, Continuous Monitoring Strategy).

• Collaborate with systems engineers, software engineers, network engineers, and program management to ensure security requirements are understood, implemented, and validated.

• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders on cyber risks, mitigations, and trade-offs.

This requisition may be filled at a higher job grade based on the qualifications listed below.

This requisition may be filled as either a level 3 or level 4.

Basic Qualifications for a Level 3:

• Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance with CI polygraph at time of application

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience - OR - Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience - OR - 0 years of relevant experience with a PhD. An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Possession of Security+ or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification

• Demonstrated exposure to cloud infrastructure, network, and architecture design and implementation (servers, networks, storage) on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud

• Background with Systems Security Engineering as defined in NIST SP 800-160

• Experience configuring and implementing tools such as Rapid7, Trellix, and Splunk, along with other industry-standard cyber security technologies

• Experience working with cloud security platforms (e.g., cloud-native security services, CSPM, CWPP, cloud logging and monitoring)

• Working knowledge of DoD 8500-series and DoDI 8510.01 IA directives, cyber security approaches, security procedures, and IATT/ATO requirements

• Experience with RMF (NIST 800-37) accreditation functions, to include documentation, vulnerability scanning, security control assessment, POA&M management, and execution of all RMF steps

• Experience developing RMF assessment and authorization documentation for DoD or Intelligence Community systems

Basic Qualifications for a Level 4:

• Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance with CI polygraph at time of application

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience - OR - Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant experience - OR - 4 years of relevant experience with a PhD. An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Possession of Security+ or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification

• Demonstrated exposure to cloud infrastructure, network, and architecture design and implementation (servers, networks, storage) on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud

• Background with Systems Security Engineering as defined in NIST SP 800-160

• Experience configuring and implementing tools such as Rapid7, Trellix, and Splunk, along with other industry-standard cyber security technologies

• Experience working with cloud security platforms (e.g., cloud-native security services, CSPM, CWPP, cloud logging and monitoring)

• Working knowledge of DoD 8500-series and DoDI 8510.01 IA directives, cyber security approaches, security procedures, and IATT/ATO requirements

• Experience with RMF (NIST 800-37) accreditation functions, to include documentation, vulnerability scanning, security control assessment, POA&M management, and execution of all RMF steps

• Experience developing RMF assessment and authorization documentation for DoD or Intelligence Community systems

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Systems, or related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.

• 5+ years of experience in cyber engineering, information assurance, or related discipline.

• Additional certifications such as CASP+, CISM, CCSP, AWS/Azure security specialty, or other advanced security/cloud certifications.

• Experience with automation and scripting (e.g., Python, PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible) to support security configuration and compliance.

• Experience supporting classified programs within DoD or the Intelligence Community.

#COSpace

Primary Level Salary Range: $125,300.00 - $187,900.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $156,400.00 - $234,600.00

The 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.