Principal/Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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.

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.

The Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) program within Northrop Grumman Defense Systems was developed and built by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Army but has since transitioned to the USSF.  JTAGS receives and processes data directly down-linked from the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) constellation of satellites, including Defense Support Program (DSP) and Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) sensors, and other infrared satellite sensors.  JTAGS then disseminates near-real-time warning, alerting and cueing information on ballistic missile launches and other tactical events of interest throughout the theater using multiple communications networks.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a multi-skilled, self-motivated, energetic individual to work at our Colorado Springs, CO location as a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer  or Senior Principal Cyber Systems Engineer supporting the JTAGS program. As a cyber team member you should excel in interpersonal, business, and technical domains. In this role, you'll translate functional system requirements into effective security controls, providing technical solutions for engineering teams. You'll identify and address system vulnerabilities and collaborate with system administrators to implement secure configurations aligned with NIST SP800-53 security and privacy controls and customer standards. Strong collaboration and communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for engaging with internal and external stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Have fundamental knowledge of Systems Engineering practices, network technologies, system development life cycles and methodologies, and insight into information technology infrastructure management/monitoring and applications
• Develop and document technical standard operating processes and procedures as needed
• Recommend and implement system enhancements that will improve the performance, reliability, and security of the system including installing, upgrading, monitoring, problem resolution, and configuration
• Provide analysis, design, development, implementation and security assessments to ensure compliance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-53, CNSSI 1253, and DoD RMF Knowledge Service guidance.
• Hardening and securing information systems and network gear while understanding the operational and security impacts of various security configurations
• Troubleshooting, identifying, and resolving system failures in a timely manner
• Developing and maintaining cyber documentation and information
• Participating in technical interchange meetings
• Providing support for development and enhancement of security engineering inputs to program documentation, security authorization packages, CDRLs, and research & development reports.

This requisition is open as a dual level opportunity. We will consider candidates at a Principal or Sr. Principal level.

Basic Qualifications

• Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: 5 years relevant cybersecurity experience with Bachelors degree in cybersecurity or related STEM field, or 3 years relevant experience with Masters degree in cybersecurity or related STEM field
• Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: 9 years relevant cybersecurity experience with Bachelors degree in cybersecurity or related STEM field, or 7 years relevant experience with Masters degree in cybersecurity or related STEM field
• Active IAT Level II (ie. CompTIA Security+) certification
• Active Secret security clearance
• Intermediate proficiency in RHEL OS command line and/or Windows PowerShell
• Applies intermediate to advanced technical expertise and skillset to independently work cybersecurity projects and tasks IAW required DoD security and cybersecurity instructions, policies, frameworks, etc., including:
  • Developing and maintaining POA&M(s)
  • Scanning, reporting, remediating and/or mitigating cybersecurity vulnerabilities discovered through use of audit reduction tools and/or the DISA Automated Security Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS) tool (Tenable Security Center and Tenable NESSUS Scanner)
  • Performing STIG compliance scans using Xylok or other STIG scanning tools
  • Identifying & applying DISA STIGs/hardening systems
  • Performing routine system and network patching
• Possesses intermediate to advanced understanding and experience with NIST SP 800-37 RMF for DoD Systems, including
  • Can navigate the IAW NIST/DoD RMF processes
  • Has intermediate to advanced knowledge of SP 800-53 security and privacy controls, as well as selecting and applying the appropriate overlays
  • Has proven ability to evaluate system and network configurations for compliance with Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Secure Technical Implementation Guides (STIG), NIST 800-53 Security Controls and ISO/IEC 15408 Common Criteria to formulate and implement effective, high quality RMF accreditation packages

Preferred Qualifications

• For a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: intermediate to advanced knowledge of security risks & strategies, SIEM, antivirus, proxies, firewalls, and intrusion detection concepts, tools, and processes
• For a Senior Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: advanced knowledge of security risks & strategies, SIEM, antivirus, proxies, firewalls, and intrusion detection concepts, tools, and processes
• Experience with gaining and/or maintaining ATO accreditation and working with the ISSO/ISSM
• Experience in creating, editing, and  updating program CDRLs
• Beginner skillset and/or familiarity with Trellix Endpoint Security Solutions (ESS)
• Experience with Hyper-V and/or VMware
• Possesses working knowledge and experience with Splunk
• Experience implementing DevSecOps practices and principles for release management
• Experience with satellite communications ground system(s) and/or missile warning system(s)
• Experience supporting US Space Force development or sustainment program(s) as a defense contractor
• Working knowledge and/or experience with JIRA for task assignment, status tracking, and execution

Salary Range: $110,300.00 - $165,500.00Salary Range 2: $137,400.00 - $206,000.00

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.