Sr. Principal Systems Security Engineer

The Senior Systems Security Engineer will maintain an enhanced focus on designing, implementing, and testing secure solutions for operational mission software applications and secure deployment and maintenance activities for operational ground systems. You will work closely with the integrated product teams to develop and decompose software security requirements, technical architectures, system designs and provide technical oversight to the organization. In addition, you will collaborate with the DevOps Engineering team to aid in implementation of secure infrastructure and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Finally, you will be responsible for maintaining the security posture of a private cloud infrastructure.
This role requires fluency in security architecture principles, requirements analysis & decomposition, stakeholder & customer engagement, creative solutioning, and strong technical leadership.

Job Responsibilities:

Working in an Agile engineering environment, where you will champion the system security architecture design, development, and/or implementation of secure systems. Continuously ensure systems are compliant with program security requirements

Working in an Agile engineering environment, where you may assist in identifying, prioritizing, and/or guiding strategic oversight of software security requirements; to include triage of Static Code Analysis (SCA) tool findings (e.g. Fortify) and assist in prioritizing the findings as technical debt in the Software Development LifeCycle (SwDLC) backlog

Advising internal and external program stakeholders on cybersecurity approaches for cloud systems, security-focused engineering trade studies, and other security best practices.

Conducting security assessments of mission software applications to include code reviews, vulnerability assessments, and application security testing

Lead efforts for identification, development, implementation of security tools and automation processes; to include Static and Dynamic Code Analysis, Software Dependency Scanning, Compliance and Vulnerability Scanning, Auditing & Event Monitoring Solutions (Splunk)

Developing standard Risk Management Framework (RMF) artifacts, such as System Security Plan (SSP), Risk Assessment Report (RAR), Security Controls Traceability Matrix (SCTM), Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms), and additional security policies and best practices for application and system security

Experience in the system accreditation process to achieve Authority to Operate (ATO) and experience in conducting system security assessments outlined through the RMF process

Ensuring systems are operated, maintained, and disposed of in accordance with security policies and procedures as outlined in the system security authorization package

Leading system security presentations in support of major program milestone reviews (e.g. SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR)


Basic Qualifications:
Education:
Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Bachelor's Degree (STEM) with 8 Years of relevant experience, Master's Degree (STEM) with 6 years of relevant experience, or PhD (STEM) with 4 years of relevant experience

Execution:

Active Top Secret (TS) Security Clearance, SCI Eligible and U.S. Citizenship required

Possess CISSP, CSSLP, CASP, CISM or equivalent certification

Exposure to NIST 800-37 (Risk Management Framework), NIST 800-53 (Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems) and OWASP Top 10 (Web Application Security) security controls and the Systems Engineering requirements analysis, decomposition, and analysis process

Experience in Application Security, Software Development, DevOps, Vulnerability Management and/or related field

Experience with Cloud Security and Best Practices

Strong understanding of Event Monitoring architectures, components, and deployment options. Experience building and maintaining an Event Monitoring solution (e.g. Splunk) in a cloud environment

Demonstrated knowledge of Software Development Lifecycle (SwDLC), Systems Engineering Review Processes, and System/Software Accreditation Milestones

Ability to translate complex security requirements into actionable guidance

Proven leadership, communication, stakeholder & customer engagement skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelors and/or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity or Information Systems Management

12+ years of experience in the Defense Space Industry

Experience and/or Certified in Earned Value Management (EVM)

Experience with Embedded (C/C++), Scripting (Python) and Object-Oriented Programming languages (Java); previous development experience preferred

Familiarity with Zero-Trust Security Principles and Implementation Approaches

Primary Level Salary Range: $156,400.00 - $234,600.00The 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.

Client-provided location(s): Dulles, VA

Job ID: NorthropGrumman-R10220638

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-01-29T19:47:08