Cyber Systems Engineer 3

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems | San Antonio, TX

Job ID: 1859

Contract-to-Hire | Pay Rate:OPEN

Position Overview

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking an experienced Cyber Systems Engineer to support mission-critical defense programs in San Antonio, TX. The engineer will work within the Systems Engineering organization to ensure cybersecurity requirements are incorporated into system architecture, design, implementation, integration, testing, and verification activities.

The position will support the development and enhancement of advanced Launch and Missile Defense systems while collaborating with systems engineers, cybersecurity professionals, program leadership, government customers, and suppliers. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in cybersecurity systems engineering, Risk Management Framework (RMF), NIST standards, cyber architecture, requirements engineering, and DoD systems development.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, decompose, derive, refine, and maintain cybersecurity system requirements with full traceability.
• Support cyber system architecture, high-level and detailed design, implementation, integration, testing, and verification/validation.
• Ensure weapon systems comply with applicable cybersecurity standards, policies, and contractual requirements.
• Apply NIST 800-160, NIST SP 800-37, RMF, and applicable DoD cybersecurity guidance.
• Develop and maintain RMF assessment and authorization artifacts.
• Support cybersecurity assessment activities, security testing, penetration testing, and vulnerability analysis.
• Perform cyber attack-surface analysis and recommend mitigations to reduce security risks.
• Provide cybersecurity implementation guidance and technical oversight across engineering teams.
• Participate in engineering reviews of requirements, architecture, design, implementation, and test plans.
• Support cybersecurity governance, risk management, and authorization activities.
• Develop cybersecurity engineering processes, standards, procedures, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with Integrated Product Teams and other systems engineering organizations to achieve program cybersecurity objectives.
• Support Agile and DevSecOps engineering environments.
• Identify complex technical problems and develop effective cybersecurity solutions.
• Participate in engineering review boards, program milestones, and technical planning activities.
• Coordinate with program managers, government representatives, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Support the development of secure digital communication systems, networking devices, computer architectures, and related technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8 years of experience, Master's degree with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years in Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, theories, and concepts.

• Direct experience with NIST 800-160 systems security engineering and/or system development life-cycle processes.

• Experience with one or more systems engineering disciplines, including:

• Requirements decomposition and derivation

• Requirements flow-down and traceability

• System architecture

• High-level and detailed design

• Implementation

• Integration and testing

• Verification and validation

• Direct experience supporting RMF assessment and authorization artifacts in accordance with NIST SP 800-37.

• Active Secret security clearance required.

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.

• Ability to obtain Special Access to the program.

• Ability to obtain an IASAE Level II certification within six months of hire; CISSP is preferred.

• Ability to work semi-independently with general direction from senior leadership.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• IASAE Level III certification such as ISSEP or ISSAP.

• Top Secret/SCI clearance.

• Software assurance experience.

• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and tools such as Cameo.

• Experience with requirements management tools such as IBM DOORS.

• Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity systems engineering practices and network technologies.

• Knowledge of DoD system development life cycles and methodologies.

• Experience with containerized software systems and DoD DevSecOps Reference Design.

• Experience with cybersecurity accreditation and multi-certification environments.

• Experience developing and maintaining:

• Cybersecurity Strategies

• System Security Plans (SSP)

• Continuous Monitoring Plans

• Security Assessment Plans (SAP)

• Experience planning, designing, implementing, testing, and delivering systems with cyber/information assurance requirements.

• Experience leading Agile and DevSecOps efforts.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills across multiple engineering disciplines.

• Excellent negotiation, coordination, collaboration, and stakeholder-management skills.

• Ability to manage conflicting technical requirements and program constraints effectively.

Security Requirements

This position supports sensitive defense programs and requires:

• Active Secret Clearance
• Ability to obtain Top Secret Clearance
• Ability to obtain Special Access
• Ability to obtain required IASAE Level II certification within six months of hire

Work Environment

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Position Type: Contract-to-Hire

Pay Rate: OPEN

This position is intended to transition to a full-time Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer role. Contract-to-hire conversion is the intended path but is not guaranteed.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior cleared cybersecurity systems engineer with extensive DoD or defense-industry experience who can bridge cybersecurity requirements with systems engineering, architecture, design, testing, and RMF authorization. Candidates with strong NIST 800-160, RMF, NIST SP 800-37, MBSE, DOORS, DevSecOps, and cyber architecture experience will be highly competitive.