Staff Systems Cyber Engineer - SSE Tech Lead

Posted:
5/5/2026, 3:55:09 AM

Location(s):
San Diego, California, United States ⋅ California, United States

Experience Level(s):
Senior

Field(s):
IT & Security

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Staff Cyber Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Systems Engineering organization. This role is located in San Diego, CA.

In this role, as a technical focused Staff Cyber Systems Engineer, you will assist in leading a team of Cyber Systems Engineers and will execute cyber and system related tasks, such as engineering and proposal activities, provide strategic guidance and technical oversight with respect to System Security Engineering and System Authorizations, regularly coordinate across multiple Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and disciplines to ensure program integration. The candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to convey complex security concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

The candidate will leverage leadership skills to engage their customer counterpart(s) as well as other stakeholders to drive improvements into the weapon system’s cybersecurity posture. The ideal candidate is not only an experienced technical leader with exceptional skills in communication and stakeholder engagement, but they are also highly motivated.

Key Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Maintain RQ-4 Enterprise SSE posture through ownership, auditing, and execution of team processes
  • Execute RQ-4 Enterprise System Security strategy while adhering to program processes and requirements
  • Conduct RQ-4 vulnerability assessment activities, producing related security risk management information
  • Advise key customers and NG stakeholders on the security-relevant impact of threats and vulnerabilities
  • Lead program protection analyses for system and program information

Basic Qualifications:

  • Must have an active US Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
  • Must have a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and at least 12 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least 10 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a PhD and at least 8 years of relevant military / professional / academic experience
  • Experience in several of the following Systems Engineering areas:
    • Technical planning, system design development, verification and validation, cost and risk, and requirements management
    • Preparing, presenting, and leading discussion of system engineering materials during formal program reviews
    • Demonstrated behaviors of a systems thinker; selects and applies appropriate systems thinking skills to solve very complex problems and implement constructive changes
    • Developing and reviewing requirements and conducting requirements management, including verification and validation
  • Experience in at least one of the following Systems Security Engineering areas:
  • Managing cybersecurity vulnerabilities and working with stakeholders to prioritize and address findings
  • Developing processes and standards to ensure the development of secure products
  • Assessing systems for cybersecurity vulnerabilities
  • Implementing cybersecurity scanning and assessment tools like ACAS or Nessus
  • Developing cybersecurity compliance packages

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Certification at or exceeding IASAE level 1 (CISSP or CASP or CSSLP minimum and CISSP-ISSEP for Level III)
  • System security architecture experience
  • Experience performing cybersecurity impact assessments during design changes, capability upgrades, and/or baseline reviews
  • Experience performing system vulnerability scans utilizing tools such ACAS, and automated STIG tools such as Evaluate STIG or Security Compliance Checker.
  • Experience with networking technologies, router and switch configurations, troubleshooting and security / vulnerability assessments
  • Experience with NATO security accreditations
  • Experience obtaining customer ATOs
  • Active TS/SCI clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

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.

Northrop Grumman

Website: https://northropgrumman.com/

Headquarter Location: Falls Church, Virginia, United States

Employee Count: 10001+

Year Founded: 1994

IPO Status: Public

Last Funding Type: Grant

Industries: Data Integration ⋅ Manufacturing ⋅ Remote Sensing ⋅ Security ⋅ Software