Cyber Systems Engineer (level 3 or 4)

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Dulles
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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. Do you want to work at an international company with endless opportunities for growth and advancement? Are you eager to join a trust-based, globally connected team, where your contributions will define what’s possible? We are looking for team members who want to solve interesting, complex problems, which protect our nation. Your talents and passion are most important to us. If you don’t know a language, program, or platform, we will teach you! Become a part of our enthusiastic teams where we have fun working together and take pride in our contributions to the nation’s safety. We are recruiting for Top Secret with active SCI cleared junior, mid-level, and senior engineers with a background in Cyber Systems Engineering. A Cyber Systems Security Engineering position requires demonstrated technical accomplishments in securing complex systems that can be applied to Space Systems. Space Systems are comprised of multiple segments and this position has responsibilities across Ground Segments, Communications Segments, and Space Segments. This position supports National Security Space missions that require the most trustworthy personnel and a new hire start date is contingent on TS clearance transfer. Due to the nature of this work, this position will be on-site only. Responsibilities: Work as part of an integrated product team (IPT) to architect, implement, and satisfy Risk Management Framework (RMF) CyberSecurity, CyberResilience, and/or CyberSurvivability requirements of satellite systems, communications links, and ground command & control (C2) systems. You will engage with multiple engineering disciplines and contribute to the secure design of complex systems System Security Engineering Requirements management in support of program protection (PP) requirements, work with systems engineers to decompose system-level security controls into technical performance requirements across the segments and down to specific components, across disciplines Anti-Tamper, TEMPEST, Cybersecurity (RMF), and cryptographic component integration/development. You will ensure that Cyber requirements are included in the formal requirements tracking process and is Cyber/SSE contributor for a segment or subsystem Perform Attack Surface Analysis (ASA) and prepare Systems Security Plan (SSP) documentation for complex space systems, including Risk Assessment Reports (RAR), Security Control Traceability Matrices (SCTM), Security Assessment Procedures, and POA&Ms Implement and maintain COTS security products (firewalls, anti-virus, two-factor authentication, SIEM tools, etc. within terrestrial systems For space segments, you will support design and implementation of space vehicle hardening, for embedded processors and flight software. Experience with real-time operating systems, secure coding best practices, or other mission critical operational systems is required Prepare and Execute assessment procedures to verify conformance with Commercial, Federal Civilian agency, Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community, and/or Special Access Program, Cyber/SSE security controls, and or survivability requirements, as required based on the specified customer/system requirements Work in an Agile engineering environment, where the Cyber/SSE may assist in triage of Static Code Analysis (SCA) tool findings (e.g. Fortify) and assist in prioritizing the findings as technical debt in the SwDLC backlog Work in small teams to complete systems engineering, assembly, integration, and test activities for security-critical components, such as Cross Domain Solutions, cryptographic devices, and controlled interfaces Securely deploy Mission Unique Software (MUS) in computing clouds and/or highly virtualized environments. Prepare Certification To Field (CTF) assessment procedures. Execute CTF test cases for observation by customer cybersecurity representatives Interface with customer representatives to accomplish Cyber Test & Evaluation of systems to meet critical program milestones Perform system vulnerability scanning, remediation, and patch management activities on Windows and Red Hat operating systems and various COTS/GOTS applications including those within virtualized and/or cloud environments Document (or update) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and when needed, perform software patch installation, other flaw remediation, antivirus updates, and continuous monitoring (ConMon) activities Ensure systems are operated, maintained, and disposed of in accordance with security policies and procedures as outlined in the system security authorization package To be successful you should have: Experience designing systems/networks to use, or hands-on experience operating, DISA Host Based Security System (HBSS) or Endpoint Security Suite (ESS) solutions Experience designing systems/networks to use, or hands-on experience with industry platform hardening practices, such as DISA Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) implementation, as well as documentation of deviations and mitigations Experience designing systems/networks to use, or scanning, remediating, mitigating, and reporting cybersecurity vulnerabilities discovered through use of audit reduction tools and/or the DISA Automated Security Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS) tool or Tenable NESSUS Experience implementing the RMF process from system categorization through continuous monitoring Excellent technical document preparation skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders ranging from technical staffers up to senior program managers Basic Qualifications Principal Cyber Engineering Education Requirement: BS degree in Engineering, with Electrical Engineering or Software Engineering preferred with 5 years of experience (or 3 year of experience with a Masters, or 0 year with a PhD. Experience can be considered in lieu of degree (additional 4 years) Sr. Principal Cyber Engineering Education Requirement: BS degree in engineering, with Electrical Engineering or Software Engineering preferred with 8 years of experience or 6 year of experience with a Masters, or 3 years with a PhD). Experience can be considered in lieu of degree (additional 4 years) Additional Basic Qualifications: Minimum 2 years of Cyber/SSE experience, preferably within the defense aerospace industry US Citizenship required Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI at time of application Experience designing systems/networks to use, or hands-on experience with industry platform hardening practices, such as DISA Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) implementation, as well as documentation of deviations and mitigations. Experience designing systems/networks to use, or scanning, remediating, mitigating, and reporting cybersecurity vulnerabilities discovered through use of audit reduction tools and/or the DISA Automated Security Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS) tool or Tenable NESSUS. Experience implementing the RMF process from system categorization through continuous monitoring. Preferred Qualifications BS in Electrical Engineering or Software Engineering MS degree in Electrical, Systems, or Aerospace Engineering Current CISSP-ISSEP or CISSP-ISSAP 7 years of IA/cybersecurity experience, with are least 3 of those within the SAP community in the defense aerospace industry Experience hardening Docker containers Primary Level Salary Range: $125,300.00 - $187,900.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $156,400.00 - $234,600.00 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Sterling , Cyber Systems Engineer (level 3 or 4), IT / Software / Systems , Dulles, Virginia