This role pays less than
91%
of similar roles. Most pay
$169,550–$214,500
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$142k
versus about
$192k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company providing systems in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics. Industry: Aerospace & Defense
Northrop Grumman currently has
367 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$114,900–$176,300
across 353 roles with salary data.
The Principal Cyber Software Engineer joins the Mission Systems sector to develop solutions addressing national security threats through products involving kernel development, reverse engineering, and vulnerability research of network and communication systems. The role involves developing lower-level networking protocols like TCP/IP and UDP, as well as performing vulnerability analysis on various operating systems. Key technical requirements include proficiency in C/C++, Assembly, and scripting languages, along with experience in embedded programming and software configuration management. Candidates will utilize tools such as Wireshark, IDAPro, OllyDebug, WinDBG, and JTAG debuggers to perform system analysis. The work focuses on the core challenges of cyber defense, including research into heap overflows, return-oriented programming, and shell code implementation across Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS environments to secure critical communication infrastructure for military and intelligence customers.
Develop software solutions for national security threats involving kernel development and vulnerability research.
Perform reverse engineering on various architectures including x86, x64, MIPS, PPC, and ARM.
Conduct vulnerability analysis on network and communication systems.
Program in C/C++ and Assembly for both Windows and Linux environments.
Develop lower-level networking protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, and SSL.
Utilize debugging and system analysis tools like Wireshark, IDA Pro, and WinDBG.
Execute embedded programming and develop command and control applications.
Manage software development life cycle (SDLC) tasks using modern source control and CI/CD workflows.
What we're looking for
U.S. Citizenship is required.
Active Top Secret clearance is required.
A B.S. degree in Computer Science or Engineering with 5 years of programming experience, an M.S. with 3 years, or a Ph.D. with 1 year is required.
Demonstrated software programming experience in C/C++ is required.
Experience with SDLC and development in areas such as kernel mode, embedded, command and control, or network applications is required.
Experience developing lower-level networking protocols like TCP/IP and UDP is required.
Experience with debugging or system analysis tools such as Wireshark, IDAPro, OllyDebug, WinDBG, or JTAG debuggers is required.
Advanced degree in Computer Science or Engineering (preferred); experience with reverse engineering, vulnerability research, or assembly languages (preferred).
C/C++
Assembly
Reverse Engineering
Kernel Development
Vulnerability Research
TCP/IP
Wireshark
IDA Pro
Ghidra
WinDBG
QEMU
Git
CI/CD
Jenkins
Agile
Linux
Windows
C/C++
Assembly
Reverse Engineering
Kernel Development
Vulnerability Research
TCP/IP
Wireshark
IDA Pro
Ghidra
WinDBG
QEMU
Renode
Git
CI/CD
Jenkins
Agile
SDLC
Linux
Windows
C/C++
Assembly
Reverse Engineering
Kernel Development
Vulnerability Research
TCP/IP
Wireshark
IDA Pro
WinDBG
Ghidra
QEMU
Renode
Git
GitHub
GitLab
Jenkins
CI/CD
Agile
Linux
Windows