Cyber Systems Engineer (Senior Principal Level)

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 123,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems seeks a Cyber Systems Engineer (Senior Principal) to secure and operate cloud infrastructure, including installation, maintenance and improvements of cloud environments. You will act as a Cyber SME to ensure RMF compliance across DoD guidance, deploy security tooling, and collaborate with engineering teams to strengthen security in cloud-based systems.

Based in Melbourne, FL, this role requires a US security clearance and offers challenging work on

Qualifications

• Must have STEM degree with 8+ years, or Master with 6+, or PhD with 4+ years.
• Security certs CAP/CGRC, CASP, CISM, or CISSP required.
• Experience deploying and configuring Linux and Windows per DoD STIGs.
• Experience with SIEM/IDS tools: ACAS, HBSS, Splunk.
• Cloud security design and RMF/DoD guidance experience.

Responsibilities

• Inform cyber engineering with advanced expertise and ensure RMF compliance.
• Deploy, configure, and maintain security tooling and baselines.
• Assess security controls and propose corrective actions.
• Prepare SSPs and maintain POA&Ms.
• Collaborate on test plans and system deployments.

Skills

RMF knowledge

NIST 800-53

ACAS/HBSS/Splunk

Cloud security

Scripting security

Education

Bachelor's STEM

Master's STEM

PhD STEM

Security cert CAP/CGRC/CASP/CISM/CISSP

Tools

ACAS

HBSS

Splunk

Tenable.SC

SCAP

DoD STIGs

Red Hat Linux

Windows

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret 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. Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is currently seeking a Cyber Systems Engineer (Senior Principal Level) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in our Systems Engineering organization. This role is located in Melbourne, FL. In this role, you will be responsible for the secure operations of cloud infrastructure, platforms, and software, including the installation, maintenance, and improvement of cloud computing environments. You will also help sustain and solidify security designs and strategies across cloud-based applications. Additionally, you will have hands‑on deployment, integration, and configuration experience, and will act as a Cyber Subject Matter Expert (SME) to ensure compliance with the Risk Management Framework.

Responsibilities

Leverages advanced technical expertise to inform cyber engineering practices and ensuring adherence to cybersecurity disciplines such as COMSEC, COMPUSEC, EMSEC, OPSEC, and effective use of penetration tools and techniques. Deploy, configure, and maintain security tooling configurations to ensure compliance with NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-53, CNSSI 1253, and DoD RMF Knowledge Service guidance. Assess system security controls, validate the effective implementation of controls, identify vulnerabilities, and propose corrective measures. Document the results of Authorization and Accreditation (A&A) activities, prepare System Security Plans (SSPs), and maintain updated Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms). Manage the implementation, automation, configuration, and maintenance of security tools, including centralized authentication solutions, IDS/IPS systems, and compliance baselines. Provide expert technical analysis of cybersecurity infrastructure challenges, developing innovative technical solutions tailored to customer requirements. Collaborate on technical reviews of requirements, to include generating test plans, as well as designing and implementing plans for system deployment. Recommend and implement enhancements to security systems aimed at improving performance, reliability, and overall security posture, encompassing installation, upgrades, monitoring, troubleshooting, and configuration.

Skills Critical to Success in this Role

Strong understanding of the planning, design, and implementation processes necessary to support large enterprise systems. Working knowledge of NIST 800-37 RMF artifacts, including SSPs, Security Control Traceability Matrices (SCTMs), SARs, RARs, and other documentation. Familiarity with vulnerability and compliance scanning tools such as Tenable.SC and SCAP. Proficiency in scripting security processes to establish consistent, automated baselines across multiple systems for redundancy and efficiency.

Basic Qualifications

Must have a Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 8 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least 6 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a PhD and at least 4 years of relevant military / professional experience Must have a security certification in CAP/CGRC, CASP/SecurityX, CISM, or CISSP (or Associate) to be considered. Must have experience in preparing, reviewing, and delivering technical and programmatic documentation. Must have experience deploying and configuring Linux and Windows systems per DoD STIG requirements. Must have expertise in configuring Security Incident Event Monitoring (SIEM) and IDS/IPS tools such as ACAS, HBSS, and Splunk within Linux RedHat and Windows environments. Must have experience designing, integrating, maintaining, and retiring systems within cloud environments. Must have an active US Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation). Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

Active Top Secret Clearance with a Personnel Security Investigation (PR) completed within the last 5 years. Strong familiarity with DoD 8500-series and 8510.01 IA policy directives, including IATT and ATO requirements, and general approaches to cybersecurity. Exceptional communication (written and oral), negotiation, and interpersonal skills to effectively support ISSE initiatives and collaborate with engineering teams, management, clients, partners, and government stakeholders. Experience with next-generation security technologies including Dell, Cisco, Palo Alto, and other advanced networking equipment. Knowledge of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) processes and tools such as DOORS. Experience with cloud service providers like Azure and AWS, focusing on configuration, integration, and sustainability of cloud‑based systems. Knowledge of Cross‑Domain Solution (CDS) technology and compliance requirements.

Primary Level Salary Range

$122,800.00 - $184,200.00 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.

Benefits

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

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We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.