Penetration Tester

Northrop Grumman; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 83,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Cyber Protection Engineer in San Antonio, TX to join the Mission Systems team. You will assess and test system cybersecurity requirements and security layouts, collaborating cross-functionally to meet program goals and customer needs.

The role requires evaluating cloud security controls, performing penetration testing, and contributing to technical reports, remediation guidance, and client deliverables.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 2 years of related experience; or a Master's degree and 0 years of related experience. Note: 6 years of related experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• US Citizenship is required
• Active US Government Top Secret Security Clearance with SCI
• DoD 8570 Certification for IAT Level II or higher prior to start
• Experience conducting penetration testing, vulnerability analysis, or security assessments
• Experience with containerization/ virtualization such as Docker, Kubernetes, or VMware
• Knowledge of Windows and Linux, networking fundamentals, and enterprise architecture
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell

Responsibilities

• Conduct cloud-focused penetration testing and security assessment activities across cloud-native and hybrid environments.
• Support offensive security operations targeting cloud infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, containers, apps, and services in AWS/Azure.
• Assists with development of attack methodologies, testing procedures, and technical analysis with senior operators.
• Apply cybersecurity knowledge to evaluate cloud security posture and contribute to reporting and remediation guidance.

Skills

Penetration testing

Vulnerability analysis

Security assessments

Containerization

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure)

Scripting (Python/Bash/PowerShell)

Windows/Linus knowledge

Security testing

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's degree

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

VMware

CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, Azure DevOps)

Terraform / CloudFormation / IaC

Job description

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) is seeking a Cyber Protection Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals conducting penetration and cybersecurity testing activities in San Antonio, TX.

In this role, the Cyber Protection Engineer assesses and tests system cybersecurity requirements, system security architecture, and system security layout. The candidate will operate in a team environment and collaborate across the organization (as required) to accomplish team goals by coordinating with customers and other testing organizations.

Essential Duties

• Conduct cloud-focused penetration testing and security assessment activities to identify vulnerabilities, attack paths, and potential threat vectors across cloud-native and hybrid environments.
• Support offensive security operations targeting cloud infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, containerized workloads, applications, and enterprise services within AWS, Azure, and related platforms.
• Assists with development of attack methodologies, testing procedures, and technical analysis while collaborating with senior operators and engineers.
• Apply cybersecurity knowledge to evaluate cloud security posture, validate security controls, and contribute to technical reporting, operational recommendations, and remediation guidance.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 2 years of related experience; or a Master's degree and 0 years of related experience. Note: 6 years of related experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• US Citizenship is required
• Active US Government Top Secret Security Clearance is required with the ability to obtain an SCI.
• Must possess or have ability to obtain a DoD 8570 Certification for IAT Level II or higher(Sec+, CCNA, CySA+ or CND) prior to start.
• Experience conducting penetration testing, vulnerability analysis, or security assessments.
• Experience or familiarity with containerization and virtualization technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, or VMware.
• Knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems, networking fundamentals, and common enterprise architecture.
• Experience using scripting or automation languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell to support testing, analysis, or operational workflows.
• Familiarity with offensive security methodologies, vulnerability management processes, and common attacker TTPs.

Preferred Qualifications For Both

• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure, including familiarity with IAM, networking, storage, logging, and security services.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipeline technologies and concepts, including GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, or similar platforms.
• Ability to analyze technical findings and contribute to assessment reports, presentations, and client deliverables, and communicate findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience assessing cloud-native technologies, including Kubernetes, containers, serverless functions, or Infrastructure-as-Code deployments.
• Familiarity with cloud security assessment tools, vulnerability scanners, and offensive security frameworks.
• Familiarity with Terraform, Ansible, ARM templates, CloudFormation, or Infrastructure-as-Code concepts.
• Experience with logging, monitoring, and detection technologies such as Splunk, Sentinel, ELK, Defender, or CrowdStrike.
• Familiarity with RMF, A&A activities, STIGs, SCAP, ACAS, or cybersecurity compliance frameworks.
• Ability to rapidly learn emerging technologies, cloud attack methodologies, and evolving threat landscapes.
• Relevant certifications such as AWS Security Specialty, Azure Security Engineer Associate, PenTest+, CySA+, CEH, AZ-500, SC-200, CRTO, GPEN, GXPN, OSCP, or similar cybersecurity certifications preferred.

Primary Level Salary Range: $83,400.00 - $125,200.00

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. 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.