Principal / Sr Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: San Antonio
Posted on: April 4, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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. We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal or Senior Principal Cybersecurity Systems Engineer (CSSE) based out of San Antonio, TX . Our team is a collaborative group of engineers who value technical excellence, clear communication, and diverse perspectives. We work closely across disciplines to solve complex mission challenges and support one another through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning. We take pride in building a supportive environment where engineers at all levels can grow, contribute meaningfully, and develop long term careers in national security. Please Note: Due to the classified nature of the work being performed, this position does not offer any virtual or telecommute working options. Applicants are encouraged to apply, only if they are willing to work on-site. What You’ll get to Do: A Cybersecurity Systems Engineer (CSSE) ensures cyber survivability attributes are implemented in system designs as it assesses/evaluates the customers’/stakeholders’ cybersecurity requirements to decompose, derive, and refine the system’s cybersecurity requirements at all levels to drive the built-in cybersecurity protections to the architecture and design. The CSSE also guides/supports the security layout / architecture and influences the security tools selection and development. The CSSE evaluates/assesses the proposed and realized implementations to identify security risks, attack surface, and verify the cybersecurity protections from the design are realized and integrated. The CSSE guides/supports the development of verification efforts to ensure the cybersecurity protections / capabilities are functional, effective, and complete. A CSSE supports the definition of security governance, and risk management. The selected candidate will be required to work on-site, full-time at our San Antonio, TX site. The individual will perform the following duties on a day-to-day basis in support of the program: Implement and review cyber requirement decomposition, derivation, and flow down Implement and review traceability of cyber requirements throughout a spec tree architecture Support the architecture and design of baked in cybersecurity requirements and protections Implement and review traceability of cyber requirements to the design & its models Implement and review the application of cyber security profile stereotypes to a Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) Architecture Provide cybersecurity system engineering implementation guidance and oversight to technical teams/implementers Review and Assess stakeholder security objectives, protection needs and concerns, security requirements, and associated verification/validation methods Implement, review and assess cybersecurity system requirements verification/validation methods Identify and/or assess vulnerabilities and susceptibility to life cycle disruptions, hazards, and threats Provide security considerations to inform systems engineering efforts with the objective to reduce errors, flaws, and weakness that may constitute security vulnerability leading to unacceptable asset loss and consequences Identify, quantify, and evaluate the costs/benefits of security functions and considerations to inform analysis of alternatives, engineering trade-offs, and risk treatment decisions Author, support and maintain cybersecurity program documentation & RMF package documentation: Cybersecurity Strategies, System Security Plans, Continuous Monitoring Plans, Risk Assessment Report, Security Control Traceability Matrix, Plan Of Actions & Milestones, etc. Perform other duties and directed This position can be filled at the Principal or Sr. Principal level. Basic Qualifications for a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: Bachelor’s degree with 5 years, Master’s degree with 3 years, or a PhD with 1 years of experience in: Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or 9 years’ experience in a cyber systems engineering related fields in lieu of a degree. In possession of a current IASAE II certification (CISSP preferred) in accordance with DoDI 8570 or able to obtain within six months of hire. Direct Experience utilizing NIST 800-160 system security engineer and the system development life cycle. ·Direct experience in one or more of the following Systems Engineering activities: system requirements decomposition/derivation/flow down/traceability, architecture, high-level/detail design, implementation, integration and test, and/or verification & validation. Direct experience developing RMF assessment and authorization artifacts in accordance with NIST SP 800-37. US Citizenship is required Active Secret clearance to be considered The ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance with Special Access Program (SAP) approval Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: Bachelor’s degree with 8 years, Master’s degree with 6 years, or a PhD with 4 years of experience in: Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or 14 years’ experience in a cyber systems engineering related fields in lieu of a degree. In possession of a current IASAE II certification (CISSP preferred) in accordance with DoDI 8570 or able to obtain within six months of hire. Direct Experience utilizing NIST 800-160 system security engineer and the system development life cycle. Direct experience in one or more of the following Systems Engineering activities: system requirements decomposition/derivation/flow down/traceability, architecture, high-level/detail design, implementation, integration and test, and/or verification & validation. Direct experience developing RMF assessment and authorization artifacts in accordance with NIST SP 800-37. US Citizenship is required Active Secret clearance to be considered The ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance with Special Access Program (SAP) approval Preferred Qualifications: · System security architecture experience · Experience working systems engineering activities utilizing tools such as IBM DOORS© and No Magic© CAMEO · Familiarity with Systems Security Engineering (SSE) documentation (e.g. Cybersecurity Strategies, Information Support Plans, Program Protection Plans (PPPs) · Familiarity with Continuous Monitoring Plans, Defensive Cyberspace Operations Plans, Cybersecurity Strategies, Information Support Plans, and NIST SP 800-160 process’. · DoDI 8570 certification for IASAE III (ISSEP, ISSAP) · Experience with Agile methodologies · Active DoD Top Secret Clearance We do not expect candidates to have experience with every skill listed. If you meet many of the qualifications and are excited about the mission, we encourage you to apply. What We Can Offer You: Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family. Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more! Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,000.00 - $213,000.00 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.

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