Principal Systems Security Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Rolling Meadows (IL); On-site; USD 109,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Rolling Meadows, IL, is seeking a Principal Systems Security Engineer to lead hands-on development of sensor payloads and secure mission security solutions that protect hardware and software. The role emphasizes anti‑tamper and cybersecurity across the full life cycle with DoD policy compliance and government collaboration.

You will work with government customers and program teams to ensure exportability, risk management, and security testing, while contributing to technology

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Engineering, or Mathematics field with 5 years of related experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM field with 3 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a STEM field with 1 year of related experience
• Two (2) years of Systems Engineering experience with DoD platforms/systems, sensors, and/or sub‑systems. E.g. EO/IR, Embedded Software or Cryptography, Satellite, Architecture development, Hardware design, RF, Radar and Undersea Sensors, etc.
• Two (2) years of experience, individually or collectively, in one or more of the following areas: Anti‑Tamper or Cybersecurity; Cybersecurity Risk Management Framework; Cybersecurity Resiliency; Reverse Engineering; Security requirements development; System Security Integration & Testing; Security Validation and verification
• Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret Clearance with additional customer specified clearance

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate full life cycle Systems Engineering development experience in Anti‑Tamper and/or Cybersecurity, to include architecture design, trade studies, requirements formulation, detailed design, unit testing, system testing, and validation and verification practices
• Support the development and implementation of hardware and software Anti‑Tamper and/or CyberSecurity techniques and countermeasures to protect assets and enhance operational integrity and reliability
• Implement and ensure compliance with US Government policies (e.g., JSIG, DAAPM, NIST 800-53, CNSSI 1253, DODI 5200.39, etc.) by supporting secure architecting of systems, reviewing processes, tailoring controls, approving documented procedures and artifacts, and overseeing security testing and analysis
• Conduct thorough analyses to validate existing security requirements and develop additional safeguards as necessary to enhance system security
• Collaborate with the US Government and program teams to negotiate and develop Anti‑Tamper / CyberSecurity solutions for international export markets, ensuring the security of compliance with Tri‑Service Committee and Red Team requirements for US‑deployed and exported military systems
• Utilize reverse engineering techniques to architect and validate effective security Anti‑Tamper / CyberSecurity solutions
• Conduct Technical Release Analyses in accordance with US Government security governance, service policies, and licensing precedents. Prepare, assess, and certify Controlled Unclassified Information and higher information and Critical Program Information determinations for licensing
• Coordinate Technology Release efforts with program personnel by engaging relevant stakeholders and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to ensure successful outcomes, to include development and delivery of training on Technology Release processes to program personnel
• Manage and communicate the necessary analyses and modifications for system, subsystem, or sensor exportability, ensuring compliance with international standards
• Apply intermediate understanding of cryptographic security protocols to safeguard sensitive information
• Support formal Security Test and Evaluation (ST&E) processes mandated by US Government authorities through comprehensive pre‑test preparations, active participation in testing, result analysis, and the preparation of required reports
• Document findings from Assessment and Authorization activities, as well as technical and coordination efforts, while preparing and maintaining the system Security Plans and updating the Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M)
• Support strategic planning for Anti‑Tamper and CyberSecurity technology development that aligns with global strategic priorities and influences current and future policies
• Collaborate effectively with program teams and global Business Development stakeholders to incorporate international requirements and features into design processes and drive product line initiatives for global market success
• Actively participate in communities of practice to enhance domain knowledge and foster continuous professional development throughout the organization

Skills

Anti-Tamper

Cybersecurity

Security requirements

Security testing

Reverse Engineering

NIST 800-53

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or Mathematics

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

NIST 800-53

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.

What You Will Get To Do

As an integral part of our Systems Security Engineering team, you will be responsible for providing hands‑on experience in the development of sensor payloads and secure mission security solutions supporting our hardware and software security solutions to tip of the spear warfighters.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Demonstrate full life cycle Systems Engineering development experience in Anti‑Tamper and/or Cybersecurity, to include architecture design, trade studies, requirements formulation, detailed design, unit testing, system testing, and validation and verification practices.
• Support the development and implementation of hardware and software Anti‑Tamper and/or CyberSecurity techniques and countermeasures to protect assets and enhance operational integrity and reliability.
• Implement and ensure compliance with US Government policies (e.g., JSIG, DAAPM, NIST 800-53, CNSSI 1253, DODI 5200.39, etc.) by supporting secure architecting of systems, reviewing processes, tailoring controls, approving documented procedures and artifacts, and overseeing security testing and analysis.
• Conduct thorough analyses to validate existing security requirements and develop additional safeguards as necessary to enhance system security.
• Collaborate with the US Government and program teams to negotiate and develop Anti‑Tamper / CyberSecurity solutions for international export markets, ensuring the security of compliance with Tri‑Service Committee and Red Team requirements for US‑deployed and exported military systems.
• Utilize reverse engineering techniques to architect and validate effective security Anti‑Tamper / CyberSecurity solutions.
• Conduct Technical Release Analyses in accordance with US Government security governance, service policies, and licensing precedents. Prepare, assess, and certify Controlled Unclassified Information and higher information and Critical Program Information determinations for licensing.
• Coordinate Technology Release efforts with program personnel by engaging relevant stakeholders and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to ensure successful outcomes, to include development and delivery of training on Technology Release processes to program personnel.
• Manage and communicate the necessary analyses and modifications for system, subsystem, or sensor exportability, ensuring compliance with international standards.
• Apply intermediate understanding of cryptographic security protocols to safeguard sensitive information.
• Support formal Security Test and Evaluation (ST&E) processes mandated by US Government authorities through comprehensive pre‑test preparations, active participation in testing, result analysis, and the preparation of required reports.
• Document findings from Assessment and Authorization activities, as well as technical and coordination efforts, while preparing and maintaining the system Security Plans and updating the Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M).
• Support strategic planning for Anti‑Tamper and CyberSecurity technology development that aligns with global strategic priorities and influences current and future policies.
• Collaborate effectively with program teams and global Business Development stakeholders to incorporate international requirements and features into design processes and drive product line initiatives for global market success.
• Actively participate in communities of practice to enhance domain knowledge and foster continuous professional development throughout the organization.

This position will be full‑time, on‑site at our Rolling Meadows, IL location.

This position may be contingent upon Funding/Contract award, special access program and acquiring and maintaining the necessary US Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start.

Basic Qualifications For Principal Systems Security Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Engineering, or Mathematics field with 5 years of related experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM field with 3 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a STEM field with 1 year of related experience
• Two (2) years of Systems Engineering experience with DoD platforms/systems, sensors, and/or sub‑systems. E.g. EO/IR, Embedded Software or Cryptography, Satellite, Architecture development, Hardware design, RF, Radar and Undersea Sensors, etc.
• Two (2) years of experience, individually or collectively, in one or more of the following areas:
• Anti‑Tamper or Cybersecurity
• Cybersecurity Risk Management Framework
• Cybersecurity Resiliency
• Reverse Engineering
• Security requirements development
• System Security Integration & Testing
• Security Validation and verification
• Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret Clearance with additional customer specified clearance

Preferred Qualifications For Principal Systems Security Engineer

• Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics or related technical fields
• Active Secret or Top‑Secret clearance
• Experience with Systems Security Engineering development of DoD weapon systems
• Experience with Hardware (Firmware) Assurance, Attack Surface Analysis and Reporting, Software/Firmware Encryption, and Secure Key Handling
• Experience with identifying and mitigating software vulnerabilities and performing integration testing of mitigations
• Experience with contributing to and/or making technical presentations to internal and external customers

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00

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.