Principal / Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems seeks a Cyber Engineer for the Colorado Springs, CO site. You will perform security assessments, implement RMF-aligned configurations, and coordinate with DoD stakeholders across the JTAGS program.

Expected to apply expertise in RMF, NIST SP 800-53, and DISA STIGs, supporting systems with endpoint protection, SIEM, and vulnerability tooling. A strong communications background is essential.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret clearance required.
• Active IAT Level II certification (Security+).
• 5 years cyber security experience (Principal) or 9 years (Sr. Principal).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and document SOPs and processes.
• Support system enhancements for performance, reliability, and security.
• Conduct security assessments to ensure compliance with NIST SP 800-53 and DoD RMF guidance.
• Analyze systems and networks for operational and security impacts of config changes.
• Collaborate with system admins to implement secure configurations.
• Maintain cybersecurity documentation and artifacts.

Skills

IAT Level II

Security clearance

Communication skills

RMF/DoD guidelines

Education

Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or related STEM

Master's degree in cybersecurity or related STEM

Tools

Trellix ESS

Splunk

JIRA

VMware

Hyper-V

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: No

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. The Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) program within Northrop Grumman Defense Systems was developed and built by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Army but has since transitioned to the USSF. JTAGS receives and processes data directly down-linked from the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) constellation of satellites, including Defense Support Program (DSP) and Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) sensors, and other infrared satellite sensors. JTAGS then disseminates near-real-time warning, alerting and cueing information on ballistic missile launches and other tactical events of interest throughout the theater using multiple communications networks.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a multi-skilled, self-motivated, energetic individual to work as a Cyber Engineer. This position will be located in Colorado Springs, CO. As a cyber team member you should excel in interpersonal, business, and technical domains. Be able to perform comprehensive security assessments, including compliance audits and vulnerability scanning, to pinpoint security weaknesses and policy inconsistencies. You'll identify and support in the addressing of system vulnerabilities and collaborate with system administrators to implement secure configurations aligned with NIST SP800-53 security and privacy controls and customer standards. Strong collaboration and communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for engaging with internal and external stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and document technical standard operating procedures and processes as needed
• Recommend, implement, and support system enhancements that improve system performance, reliability, and security, including installation, upgrades, monitoring, troubleshooting, and configuration management
• Perform analysis, design, development, implementation, and security assessments to ensure compliance with NIST SP 800-53, CNSSI 1253, and DoD RMF Knowledge Service guidance
• Analyze information systems and network devices while assessing the operational and security impacts of various configuration changes
• Apply intermediate to advanced technical expertise and skillset to independently work cybersecurity projects and tasks IAW required DoD security and cybersecurity instructions, policies, frameworks, etc.
• Troubleshoot, identify, and resolve system failures and performance issues in a timely manner
• Develop and maintain cybersecurity documentation and related information artifacts
• Work with cybersecurity tools such as endpoint protection platforms, SIEM tools, and vulnerability scanners to support monitoring, detection, assessment, and response activities
• Participate in technical interchange meetings and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Provide support for the development and enhancement of security engineering inputs to program documentation, security authorization packages, CDRLs, and research and development reports

Basic Qualifications

• For a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: 5 years relevant cybersecurity experience with Bachelors degree in cybersecurity or related STEM field, or 3 years relevant experience with Masters degree in cybersecurity or related STEM field
• For a Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: 9 years relevant cybersecurity experience with Bachelors degree in cybersecurity or related STEM field, or 7 years relevant experience with Masters degree in cybersecurity or related STEM field
• Active IAT Level II (ie. CompTIA Security+) certification
• Active DoD Secret security clearance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with subordinates, peers, and leaders
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Moderate to advanced knowledge of Trellix Endpoint Security Solutions (ESS)
• Intermediate proficiency in RHEL OS command line and/or Windows PowerShell
• Intermediate to advanced understanding and experience with NIST SP 800-37 RMF for DoD Systems, including
  • Ability to navigate the IAW NIST/DoD RMF processes
  • Intermediate to advanced knowledge of SP 800-53 security and privacy controls, as well as selecting and applying the appropriate overlays
  • Proven ability to evaluate system and network configurations for compliance with Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Secure Technical Implementation Guides (STIG), NIST 800-53 Security Controls and ISO/IEC 15408 Common Criteria to formulate and implement effective, high quality RMF accreditation packages
• Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• For a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: intermediate to advanced knowledge of security risks & strategies, SIEM, antivirus, proxies, firewalls, and intrusion detection concepts, tools, and processes
• For a Senior Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: advanced knowledge of security risks & strategies, SIEM, antivirus, proxies, firewalls, and intrusion detection concepts, tools, and processes
• Experience with gaining and/or maintaining ATO accreditation and working with the ISSO/ISSM
• Experience in creating, editing, and updating program CDRLs
• Expert knowledge with Trellix Endpoint Security Solutions (ESS)
• Experience with Hyper-V and/or VMware
• Working knowledge and experience with Splunk
• Experience implementing DevSecOps practices and principles for release management
• Experience with satellite communications ground system(s) and/or missile warning system(s)
• Experience supporting US Space Force development or sustainment program(s) as a defense contractor
• Working knowledge and/or experience with JIRA for task assignment, status tracking, and execution

Primary Level Salary Range: $113,900.00 - $170,900.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,200.00

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.