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Principal / Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Posted today

Job Requirements

Fairfax, VA
Top Secret/SCI Polygraph
Career Level not specified
$125,300 - $187,900

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Polygraph

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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.

Job Description:

Join Northrop Grumman on our continued mission to push the boundaries of possible across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world's biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.

At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We're looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we'll support you with expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you'll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.

We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal / Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer to join our cross functional Northern Virginia Engineering Discipline Team!

This position will be located at a Mission Systems Sector site in Northern Virginia.

As a Principal / Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer, you will have the following responsibilities:
  • Provide Engineering and Administrative support onsite for a team of system engineers, often deviating from industry standard procedures to meet mission needs but maintaining system security standards.
  • Develop, implement, and support solutions for systems that support mission critical and mission essential infrastructure.
  • Analyze existing systems & networks and make proactive recommendations to drive change and create efficiencies.
  • Support all aspects with the integration of new or existing network systems.
  • Collaborate with system engineers to create and deploy solutions in support of customer mission needs.
  • Maintain, evaluate, test, and apply STIG configurations for network devices.
  • Respond to security findings and Break Fix events across the infrastructure.
  • Create and maintain system network documentation including but not limited to Standard Operating Procedures and VISIO diagrams.


Basic Qualifications for a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer:
  • Active TS/SCI with Polygraph is required to be considered and required prior to start.
  • Bachelor's degree with 5 years of relevant experience, a Master's degree with 3 years of relevant experience, a PhD with 1 year of relevant experience, or 9 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to articulate and document defects in a timely manner and collaborate with the team and management to prioritize issues until resolution.
  • Experience with designing and maintaining LAN & WAN based network.
  • Experience working in Linux environments and capable of acting as a systems administrator.
  • Expertise with IPv4 network design, including IP subnetting and protocols.
  • Experience with network device configuration and troubleshooting.
  • Familiar with network management protocols, like SNMP, SSH, and syslog.
  • Capacity to understand and perform like both a Network Architect and System Administrator.
  • Experience managing a small team of technically diverse individuals.


Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer:
  • Active TS/SCI with Polygraph is required to be considered and required prior to start.
  • Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant experience, a Master's degree with 6 years of relevant experience, a PhD with 4 years of relevant experience, or 12 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
  • Experience leading the design and maintenance of LAN & WAN based networks
  • Demonstrated ability to delegate effectively to team members and organize, prioritize, and self-manage multiple project tasks
  • Ability to use strong analytical skills to identify, characterize and isolate issues, and troubleshoot to present options for correcting those issues
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to articulate and document defects in a timely manner, and collaborate with the team and management to prioritize issues until resolution
  • Extensive experience working in Linux environments and capable of acting as a systems administrator
  • Expertise with IPv4 network design, including IP subnetting and protocols
  • Expertise with network device configuration and troubleshooting
  • Strong familiarity with network management protocols, like SNMP, SSH, syslog
  • Strong capacity to understand and perform like both a Network Architect and System Administrator
  • Strong experience managing teams of technically diverse individuals


Preferred Qualifications for both levels:

The ideal candidate will have experience with one or more of the following technologies and software applications:
  • FreeIPA
  • GestioIP
  • Puppet
  • Splunk
  • Bitwarden
  • Vaultwarden
  • NAGIOS
  • CLAM-AV
  • DHCP
  • DNS
  • LDAP
  • Intermapper
  • WhatsupGold
  • Server turnup, configuration, and maintenance
  • VM setup and configuration
  • Expert on OWT, key to project
  • Network Engineering experience/knowledge


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!

Northrop Grumman has approximately 90,000 employees in all 50 states and in more than 27 countries. We strive to attract and retain the best employees by providing an inclusive work environment wherein employees are receptive to diverse ideas, perspectives, and talents to help solve our toughest customer challenges: to develop and maintain some of the most technically sophisticated products, programs, and services in the world.

Our Values . The women and men of Northrop Grumman Corporation are guided by Our Values. They describe our company as we want it to be. We want our decisions and actions to demonstrate these Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates long-term benefits for shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve.

Our Responsibility . At Northrop Grumman, we are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world.

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.
group id: 10122071

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About Us
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines. © 2025 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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Northrop Grumman Jobs


Job Category
IT - Security
Clearance Level
Top Secret/SCI