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Cyber Operator / Principal Cyber Operator

Northrop Grumman

Posted today

Job Requirements

Chantilly, VA
Top Secret/SCI Polygraph
Career Level not specified
$91,800 - $137,600

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

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.

Requisition 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 yours of 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.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a candidate to join our diverse team of engineers, system administrators, and operators as a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer or Senior Principal Cyber Systems Engineer professional in Chantilly, VA. The successful candidate will be expected to monitor, maintain, and provide Tier-2 and Tier-3 support of a mission critical network infrastructure, collect data for analysis, perform network upgrades, and be able to produce documentation and diagrams of the work they perform. The work is unique, challenging and rewarding. Most of all, its work that makes a difference.

The successful candidate should thrive in a fast-paced, quick response, work environment with high expectations, diverse assignments, and possess the ability to communicate and collaborate with multiple teams across all technical levels. The candidate must be able to lead the way to maintain and develop creative solutions to complex problems.

Responsibilities:
  • Provide Tier 1/2 operational support for network, server, and communications systems
  • Monitor system health, alarms, and network status dashboards
  • Perform initial troubleshooting and incident response using established procedures
  • Escalate complex issues to senior engineers and administrators
  • Generate and submit daily status and shift turnover reports
  • Support hardware installations, cable moves, and basic rack/stack activities
  • Follow approved standard operating procedures (SOPs) and security guidelines
  • Assist with system patching, reboots, and maintenance window activities
  • Support after-hours operations through pager/on-call rotation
  • Maintain accurate ticket notes, issue tracking, and operational logs
  • Support satellite communications and antenna monitoring activities as required


Cyber Operator Basic Qualifications:
  • Active TS/SCI clearance required to start; with willingness to receive a polygraph
  • 2 Years with Bachelor's Degree; OR 6 years of experience in lieu of a degree.
  • Security+ certification required
  • Experience troubleshooting in Windows and/or Linux environments
  • General understanding of networking fundamentals (IP addressing, routing, switching, VPN concepts)
  • Ability to follow and execute documented procedures and SOPs
  • Ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs
  • Willingness to travel up to 10%
  • Willingness to support after-hours pager/on-call duties
    (quarterly compensation plus hourly rate while actively engaged)


Principal Cyber Operator Basic Qualifications:
  • Active TS/SCI clearance required to start; with willingness a polygraph
  • 5 Years with Bachelor's Degree; 3 Years with Masters; 1 Years with PhD; OR 9 years of experience in lieu of a degree.
  • Security+ certification required
  • Experience troubleshooting in Windows and/or Linux environments
  • General understanding of networking fundamentals (IP addressing, routing, switching, VPN concepts)
  • Ability to follow and execute documented procedures and SOPs
  • Ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs
  • Willingness to travel up to 10%
  • Willingness to support after-hours pager/on-call duties
    (quarterly compensation plus hourly rate while actively engaged)


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with RHEL 8 / Linux administration
  • Experience with Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022
  • Familiarity with system patching and maintenance activities
  • Experience installing and racking server or networking equipment
  • Exposure to Juniper and Cisco networking equipment or similar enterprise network devices
  • Experience supporting satellite communications or antenna systems
  • Experience supporting Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) initiatives


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 of 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: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00

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