Staff Cyber Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 177,000 - 265,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU) is seeking a Cyber Systems Engineer in San Antonio, TX, to implement weapon system requirements for cyber survivability within the Sentinel program. The role covers evaluating risk, cybersecurity protections, and improving security capabilities.

The ideal candidate requires a degree in relevant fields and extensive experience in systems engineering, alongside an active Secret clearance. Attractive salary range offers between $177,000 and $265,600 depending on qualifications.

Qualifications

• 12 years experience in Systems Engineering or 10 years with a Master's.
• Active Secret clearance required.
• Direct experience with NIST 800-160.

Responsibilities

• Implement weapon system requirements to ensure cyber survivability.
• Evaluate risk and verify cybersecurity protections.
• Support governance and improve cybersecurity capabilities.

Skills

NIST 800-160 system security engineering

Agile methodologies

System security architecture

Development of RMF assessment

Documenting technical processes

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO

SonarQube

Fortify

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems – Mission Defense Cyber Team – offers a systems engineering role focused on Cyber operations within the Sentinel program in San Antonio, TX. The Cyber Systems Engineer (CSE) will implement weapon system requirements to ensure cyber survivability, decompose and refine system cybersecurity requirements, and guide the implementation of security architecture and tools. The role includes evaluating risk, verifying cybersecurity protections, supporting governance, and driving continuous improvement in cybersecurity capabilities.

Technical Responsibilities

• Work within the Systems Engineering Group to provide technical decisions and guidance for timely, high‑quality product deliveries and flight test events that meet mission cyber requirements.
• Partner and collaborate with other program systems engineers across Integrated Product Teams to achieve program cyber requirements and mission objectives.
• Support development and enhancement of Launch and Missile Defense systems as part of a specialized cyber systems engineering team.
• Participate in an extended team of U.S. government, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Northrop Grumman Space, and suppliers across multiple program locations.
• Ensure weapon system compliance with all contractually obligated cybersecurity standards (CNSSI 1253, DoD 8570, DoD 8510, AFI 17‑101).
• Propose and design cyber systems architecture changes with traceability to requirements.
• Provide cyber implementation guidance and oversight across technical teams.
• Develop and document technical standard engineering processes and procedures as needed.
• Participate in engineering reviews of technical requirements, design, and implementation plans prior to development of computer systems, digital communications systems, networking devices, computer architectures.
• Perform cyber‑attack surface analysis of system designs and recommend mitigation.
• Participate in cybersecurity assessment activities and review assessment methods, plans, procedures, reports, and security penetration test planning and execution.
• Provide input to program milestones and metrics, adhering to cybersecurity‑relevant plans and schedules.
• Identify problems and research technical solutions to resolve them.
• Apply analytical and evaluative methods to issues concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of cyber security implementation.
• Solve complex problems across disciplines in an Agile, DevSecOps environment.

Basic Qualifications for a Staff Cyber Systems Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree with 12 years, master’s degree with 10 years, or a PhD with 8 years of experience in Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity Engineering, or related technical fields; or 18 years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Direct experience utilizing NIST 800‑160 system security engineering and the system development life cycle.
• Experience processing SOW, requirements, architecture, design, implementation, integration, verification & validation, field test, etc.
• Direct experience developing RMF assessment and authorization documentation.
• Current DoD 8570 certification for IASAE Level II (CISSP) and ability to obtain IASAE Level III within 6 months of hire.
• Active Secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• System security architecture experience.
• Experience working with DOORS and CAMEO.
• Security related tool suite in DevSecOps pipeline (SonarQube, Fortify, etc.).
• Familiarity with Systems Security Engineering documentation such as Cybersecurity Strategies, Information Support Plans, Program Protection Plans, Anti‑Tamper Plans, Counterintelligence Support Plans, Integrated Threat Assessment Reports, Operations Security Plans, Continuous Monitoring Plans, Defensive Cyberspace Operations Plans, and NIST SP 800‑160.
• DoD 8570 certification for IASAE III (ISSEP, ISSAP).
• Experience with Agile methodologies.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Salary

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 – $265,600.00. Northrop Grumman considers various factors when determining base salary offers, including the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate experience, education, and current market conditions.

Benefits

Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonuses in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and share in company performance. Senior positions may qualify for long‑term incentives. Northrop Grumman provides health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plans, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation and personal business.

EEO Statement

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of 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.