SkillBridge - Principal/ Senior Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Melbourne (FL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays & PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Principal or Sr Principal Cyber Systems Engineer for its SkillBridge program. The role focuses on System Security Engineering across the system lifecycle, working on site with a dedicated team to deliver secure architectures per DoD RMF.

It targets separating service members pursuing civilian careers and may transition to full‑time opportunities. The position requires DoD Secret clearance, DoD 8140.01 qualifying certification, and strong collaboration across

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret security clearance required or ability to obtain
• Experience with System Security Engineering across DoD/NIST/RMF
• DoD RMF familiarity and secure architecture design considerations

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver secure system architectures per DoD/NIST/RMF guidelines
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to support program objectives
• Support authorization activities with documentation and stakeholder coordination
• Pursue a potential transition to full‑time employment after SkillBridge

Skills

System Security Engineering

RMF knowledge

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM (optional)

DoD 8140.01 cert (e.g., CISSP, Security+)

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.

SkillBridge Program Description

As one of the largest global security companies in the world, Northrop Grumman is proud to help our nation’s military personnel navigate their next chapter into civilian careers. Approximately 20% of Northrop Grumman’s 100,000 employees self-identify as veterans, and more than 2,000 are reservists.

The Northrop Grumman SkillBridge Program is an approved SkillBridge Program under Dept. of Defense Instruction 1322.29. The program is an opportunity for service members preparing for civilian careers to gain valuable civilian work experience during their last 6 months of service, for up to 180 days. The SkillBridge Program is open to all ranks and experience levels. SkillBridge participants are not eligible for compensation from Northrop Grumman, as they continue to receive military compensation and benefits as active‑duty service members.

Responsibilities For SkillBridge Program Participation Are

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) has developed the Northrop Grumman – SkillBridge Program (SkillBridge) utilizing the DoDI guidance for SkillBridge. Through this program, the service‑member will work on site with their host company, gaining experience in an entry to mid‑level career path. The service member will be on the job training supporting a work schedule equivalent to 40hrs per week. Outlined below are the Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes for the program.

Goals

– Provide separating service‑members with job skills training in a professional setting during the final phase of their military service. This program is specifically designed to offer hands‑on experience that result in the potential to convert to a full‑time opportunity as the conclusion of the training. Participants will serve as a pipeline for high‑speed, motivated military candidates into NGC.

Objectives

- Service Members who complete the SkillBridge program will be highly trained, capable, future employees that align to the specific needs of the organization and are prepared to meet the NG mission “Defining Possible” on Day 1. This program provides comprehensive hands‑on experience including professional development, networking with leadership, and training specifically focused on NG leadership principles, company history, customer/stakeholder engagement, product and service overview, and core job responsibilities.

Outcome

– Offer service‑members preparing for civilian careers a rewarding opportunity to join the Northrop Grumman team.

SkillBridge Eligibility

• Has served at least 180 days on active duty
• Is within 12 months of separation or retirement
• Will receive an honorable discharge
• Has taken any service TAPS/TGPS
• Has attended or participated in an ethics brief within the last 12 months
• Received Unit Commander (first O‑4/Field Grade commander in chain of command) written authorization and approval to participate in SkillBridge Program prior to start of internship.

Before Applying

IMPORTANT – Please complete SkillBridge Prescreen by Joining the Military / Veteran Talent Network

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal or Sr Principal Cyber Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be responsible for System Security Engineering (SSE) across all phases of a system’s acquisition / development lifecycle.

The selected Cyber Systems Engineer will perform as a member of an interdisciplinary team on a key effort to develop novel and innovative solutions to advanced technical problems.

Essential Functions

The successful candidate will develop and deliver secure system architecture implementations based on DoD, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI), and Risk Management Framework (RMF) processes, policies and guidelines. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast‑paced, dynamic work environment.

Essential Functions Include

• Verification and validation of system level cybersecurity requirements to support successful system sell‑off
• Maintaining awareness of and providing SSE input to subsystem‑level cybersecurity architectures to ensure seamless integration into system level architectures
• Support ongoing authorization efforts including briefing authorization status and development of supporting documentation in coordination with internal and external stakeholders
• Serve as a technical liaison to internal and external teams in support of program activities requiring SSE subject matter expertise

Basic (Minimum) Qualifications

• For Principal Level: Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years Cybersecurity experience OR Master’s degree in a STEM and 3 years of experience OR PhD in STEM and 1 year of experience
• For Senior Principal Level: Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 8 years Cybersecurity experience OR Master’s degree in a STEM and 6 years of experience OR PhD in STEM and 4 years of experience
• Familiarity with DoD System Security Engineering activities (security requirements engineering, risk assessment and management, secure architecture design, implementation and verification activities)
• Must have an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance (at a minimum, with a background investigation completed within last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance before establishing a start date (contingency)
• Possess a DODD 8140.01 qualifying certification, such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or similar network/security certifications or have the ability to acquire a qualifying certification within 6 months of starting

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Risk Management Framework (RMF), development of System Security Plans, Assessment Reports, attack path modeling, and mitigation strategies
• Experience with embedded computing environments and technologies
• Experience with cloud computing environments and technologies
• Experience developing cybersecurity architectures in a Digital Engineering environment
• Experience applying agile methodologies to the development of cybersecurity capabilities for embedded systems
• Experience working on a multidisciplinary team and writing technical proposals
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management
• Familiarity with U.S Government Anti‑Tamper (AT) processes and implementations
• Currently have or have the ability to obtain a DoD Top Secret security clearance to include a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI)

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Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00

Secondary 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. 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.