Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Cyber Systems Engineer – Level 3 to join our team in Chandler, AZ.
The Principal Systems Security Engineer leads the design, development, and implementation of comprehensive protection strategies for advanced missile, guidance, and seeker systems. The role integrates Anti-Tamper, Cybersecurity, Program Protection, and Cybersecurity Supply-Chain Risk Management to protect sensitive technologies and ensure survivability against capable nation-state adversaries.
This position requires technical depth in secure embedded system design, hands-on experience conducting hardware/firmware/software security assessments, and the ability to guide teams in developing defensible and compliant SSE solutions.
Essential Functions/Key Responsibilities
Define, lead, and implement embedded system security architecture (hardware, firmware, software) for missile/weapon systems, ensuring integrated Cybersecurity, Anti-Tamper, Program Protection coverage across the system lifecycle.
Assess and mitigate system security threats and risks (vulnerabilities, supply-chain, hardware/firmware/software) throughout development, production, and sustainment phases.
Decompose and allocate system security requirements (AT, Cyber, Exportability, Supply Chain Risk Management, where applicable) and integrate them into system requirements, design specifications, and test plans.
Conduct trade-studies and countermeasure analyses to balance security, cost, performance, and schedule constraints; recommend and implement appropriate security controls (anti-tamper, encryption, secure hardware/firmware, obfuscation, supply-chain mitigation, etc.).
Develop and maintain Program Protection Plans (PPP), Security Classification Guides (SCG), Security Plans (SSP), AT Plans, and other required program security documentation; coordinate with program management, engineering, and customer stakeholders.
Support Verification & Validation (V&V), security testing, configuration management, and approval of COTS/GOTS/FOSS components per DoD and program policies; ensure compliance with relevant frameworks (e.g., NIST SP 800-160, RMF, etc.).
Provide technical leadership within the SSE/AT/Cyber domain, and interface with cross-functional teams (hardware, software, test, program management, sustainment) to ensure coordinated security posture.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience
Demonstrated experience in embedded systems security (hardware/firmware/software) for defense weapon systems, including threat analysis, risk mitigation, secure design, and implementation.
Ability to obtain DoD Secret security clearance
US Citizenship
Solid understanding of DoD security practices, frameworks and processes; familiarity with Program Protection, CPI (Critical Program Information) identification and protection, threat/vulnerability analysis, and risk management.
Good communication skills; ability to work across teams and interface with engineers, program managers, and stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in development / deployment of Anti-Tamper technologies, secure hardware/firmware/design hardening, supply chain risk mitigation, exportability analysis, and secure design for classified programs.
Experience authoring or contributing to Program Protection Plans (PPP), Security Classification Guides (SCG), System Security Plans (SSP), AT Plans, and other program security documents.
Familiarity with regulatory/security frameworks (e.g., NIST SP 800-160, RMF/DoD 8140, DoD 5200.39 or other AT guidance) and prior participation in system accreditation or authorization processes.
Demonstrated leadership or mentorship experience; ability to guide junior staff; experience in cross-discipline integration (hardware/firmware/software/supply chain/test).
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
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Primary Level Salary Range: $108,200.00 - $162,400.00The 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.