This role pays less than
80%
of similar roles. Most pay
$169,550–$214,500
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$157k
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/ Sr. Principal Systems Engineer joins the Mission Defense Cyber Team to support the Sentinel program as a Cybersecurity Systems Engineer. This role involves implementing weapon system requirements to ensure cyber survivability by assessing, decomposing, and refining cybersecurity requirements across all design levels. The engineer will guide security architecture, influence tool selection, perform attack surface analysis, and oversee verification efforts to ensure protections are functional and integrated. Key responsibilities include providing technical guidance for flight test events, ensuring compliance with standards like CNSSI 1253 and DoD 8570, and managing risks in Agile and DevSecOps environments. Required expertise includes NIST 800-160, RMF artifacts, and MBSE tools like Cameo. The role addresses the critical challenge of securing launch and missile defense systems against evolving cyber threats within a complex digital engineering environment.
What does a Systems Engineer earn in California?
Median $194000 from 61 postings across 16 companies.
Decompose, derive, and refine system cybersecurity requirements at all levels to ensure built-in protections are integrated into architecture and design.
Guide and support security layout, architecture, and the selection and development of security tools.
Evaluate proposed implementations to identify security risks and attack surfaces while verifying that protections are functional and complete.
Ensure weapon systems comply with contractually obligated cybersecurity standards such as CNSSI 1253, DoD 8570, and DoD 8510.
Propose and design cyber systems architecture changes with full traceability to requirements.
Perform cyber-attack surface analysis of system designs and provide recommendations to mitigate risks.
Participate in cybersecurity assessment activities, including reviewing plans, procedures, and penetration test execution.
Develop and document technical standard engineering processes and procedures as needed for the program.
What we're looking for
Must possess an active Secret clearance and be able to obtain a Top-Secret clearance and Special Access.
U.S. Citizenship is required for positions requiring government clearance.
Bachelor’s degree with 5 years, Master’s with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year of experience in related engineering fields (or 9 years experience without a degree).
For Sr. Principal level, require Bachelor’s with 8 years, Master’s with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years of experience (or 14 years without a degree).
Must be able to obtain an IASAE II certification (CISSP preferred) within six months of hire.
Experience utilizing NIST 800-160 system security engineering and the system development life cycle.