SkillBridge - Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman • San Diego, CA

2d • $156,400 - $234,600 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer for its Rancho Bernardo, California facility. The role supports cybersecurity execution throughout system development and sustainment, working with engineering, cybersecurity, program, customer, and other stakeholders in an Integrated Product Team environment. The position is full-time and onsite, with no remote, hybrid, or telework availability; travel up to 25% may be required.

The role includes designing and validating system security solutions, preparing and defending accreditation packages as an ISSE or ISSM, applying DoD RMF and JSIG requirements for SAP/SCI systems, and supporting vulnerability management, security assessments, compliance packages, and requirements verification. The engineer will also translate RMF controls into system-level requirements, support host and network hardening, communicate cybersecurity findings and recommendations, and provide technical leadership and process improvements.

This is presented as a Northrop Grumman SkillBridge opportunity. The SkillBridge program offers eligible service members up to 180 days of civilian work experience during their final six months of service. Participants continue to receive military compensation and benefits and are not compensated by Northrop Grumman during the program. The program provides hands-on training, professional development, networking, and the potential to convert to a full-time opportunity at the conclusion of training. Participation requires meeting the stated military eligibility criteria and obtaining Unit Commander written authorization before the internship begins.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; or a Master of Science in a STEM discipline and 6 years of engineering experience; or a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related experience.
• At least one of the following certifications: DoD 8140 Cyber Workforce qualification, DoD 8570 IAM Level II, CompTIA SecurityX/CASP, CISSP, or CSSLP.
• Experience preparing and defending accreditation packages as an ISSE or ISSM.
• Experience working with DoD RMF and JSIG for SAP/SCI systems.
• Experience validating security posture, reporting findings, and supporting risk-acceptance recommendations.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance, with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or current enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Must be a service member eligible for SkillBridge: served at least 180 days on active duty; within 12 months of separation or retirement; expected to receive an honorable discharge; completed service TAPS/TGPS; attended or participated in an ethics brief within the last 12 months; and received written authorization and approval from the Unit Commander before the program starts.

Nice To Haves

• Current SAP access.
• Advanced cybersecurity certifications such as CISSP-ISSEP, CISSP-ISSAP, or CSSLP.
• Experience with vulnerability management, cybersecurity assessment and scanning, compliance/authorization packages, and ATO documentation.
• Experience with NIST publications, federal regulations, DoD RMF controls, and cybersecurity authorization requirements.
• Experience with IT principles and practices, including software design, test, and integration.
• Familiarity with Windows and UNIX/Linux platforms such as Red Hat, as well as hypervisor and containerized environments.
• Experience designing or reviewing hardening using DISA STIGs/SRGs.
• Experience developing and evaluating information systems across the systems development lifecycle in a secure environment.
• Experience working in an Integrated Product Team with engineering, cybersecurity, software, integration/test, configuration management, security, customer, and program stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support development and sustainment cybersecurity execution by identifying risks and driving technical and programmatic remediation across engineering, cybersecurity, program, and customer stakeholders.
• Design, develop, integrate, test, verify, and validate system security solutions.
• Prepare, review, and defend accreditation packages as an Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) or Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM).
• Apply DoD RMF and JSIG requirements for SAP/SCI systems.
• Validate information system security posture, interpret and report findings, and support risk-acceptance recommendations related to security control implementation.
• Translate RMF controls into system- and design-level requirements, including decomposition, verification planning, and traceability.
• Support vulnerability management, cybersecurity scanning and assessment, compliance package development, and requirements verification using approved tools such as ACAS and Nessus.
• Support host and network hardening using DISA STIGs and SRGs for Windows, UNIX/Linux, hypervisor, and containerized environments.
• Coordinate with systems engineering, software, integration/test, configuration management, security, and program teams across the system lifecycle.
• Prepare and present cybersecurity and systems engineering materials for reviews, working groups, and stakeholder discussions.
• Assess cybersecurity impacts across architecture, operational constraints, program execution, and mission needs using systems thinking.
• Drive process improvements in cybersecurity planning, traceability, risk management, and closure discipline.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and coordination across stakeholders and disciplines.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position
• Relocation assistance may be available

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior