Sr. Principal Systems Security Engineer

Northrop Grumman; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in San Antonio, TX seeks capable, talented contributors to work on advanced sensing and security systems. This role focuses on Anti-Tamper and CyberSecurity across hardware and software, ensuring protection for warfighters and national security.

You'll collaborate with government and program teams, apply US government policies, and participate in security test and evaluation, with full-time on-site work and potential deployment to export markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Engineering, or Mathematics field with 8 years of related experience; OR Master’s with 6 years; OR PhD with 4 years.
• 2–3 years of Systems Engineering experience with DoD platforms, sensors, and subsystems.
• 2–3 years of experience with requirements development, derivation, system integration, and test/verification
• Candidate must be a US citizen and able to obtain Secret clearance

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate full life cycle Systems Engineering in Anti-Tamper and/or Cybersecurity.
• Support hardware and software Anti-Tamper and CyberSecurity techniques.
• Ensure compliance with US Government policies and security testing.
• Collaborate with US Government and program teams for international export.
• Coordinate Technology Release with stakeholders and provide training.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Anti-Tamper

Cybersecurity

Security requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's or PhD in STEM

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

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.

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

We are seeking capable, talented, and motivated team-contributors at our Northrop Grumman San Antonio site. Our products range from advanced sensing technologies to state-of-the-art targeting and tracking systems that are deployed in Electro-Optical Infrared (EOIR) and Radio Frequency Electronic Warfare (RFEW) systems. These systems are designed, developed, built, integrated, and tested by the capable folks at our company to protect the lives of US and Allied warfighters in present and future conflicts. Come join a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.

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 San Antonio, TX 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

• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Engineering, or Mathematics field with 8 years of related experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM field with 6 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a STEM field with 4 years of related experience
• Two (3) years of Systems Engineering experience with DoD platforms, systems, sensors and/or sub‑systems. E.g. EO/IR, embedded software or cryptography, satellites, architecture development, hardware design, RF, radar, undersea sensors, etc.
• Two (3) years of experience with requirements development, derivation, system integration & test and validation and verification
• Two (3) 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
• Candidate must be a US Citizen and have the ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret Clearance with additional customer specified clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• 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: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00

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.