Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is hiring a Senior Principal Cyber Software Engineer to support the Sentinel program across multiple locations. This role requires strong leadership and collaboration skills, with responsibilities including developing design review procedures, decomposing requirements for implementation by design teams, and providing systems engineering expertise for enterprise-level cybersecurity systems. The ideal candidate will use model-based engineering tools on major weapon systems, implement security policies compliant with industry standards, and evaluate designs based on DoD and industry guidelines. Essential qualifications include experience in cybersecurity, system vulnerability management, RMF assessment and authorization, MITRE ATT&CK framework analysis, and familiarity with SIEM and SOAR tools like Splunk and Swimlane Turbine. The position demands a current Top-Secret clearance and relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and CISSP.
Develop and maintain design review procedures and tools for tracking progress against milestones.
Decompose requirements and allocate them to design teams for implementation.
Provide systems engineering expertise for the integration and testing of cybersecurity systems.
Evaluate system designs based on Department of Defense and industry standards.
Implement and maintain security policies and procedures to comply with regulations.
Participate in technical planning, risk analysis, and supportability assessments for cybersecurity systems.
Model and analyze cybersecurity threats using the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
What we're looking for
8+ years of relevant cybersecurity experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Active DoD Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret clearance.
Familiarity with RMF, NIST, CNSSI guidelines for A&A activities.
Experience in system vulnerability management and security implementation.
Proficiency in using model-based engineering tools on weapon systems.
Knowledge of Windows and UNIX platforms, hypervisor, containerized environments.
DoD 8570 IASAE II/III certification or equivalent cybersecurity qualification.
Market check
Salary context
This
$135,000–$202,600
range sits above
50%
of similar postings on FindRole.
Peer median band
$117,000–$223,400
Median floor and ceiling across peers.
Typical midpoint (25–75%)
$142,400–$204,337
Middle half of comparable postings.
Based on 240 comparable postings.*
* 240 is the maximum number of comparable postings sampled.
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
173 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$113,900–$170,950
across 168 roles with salary data.
RMF
NIST SP 800-37
MITRE ATT&CK
MBSE
Cybersecurity Strategies
System Security Plans
Continuous Monitoring Plans
Risk Assessment Report
Security Control Traceability Matrix
Plan Of Actions & Milestones
Model Based System Engineering
CompTIA Security+
DoD Cyber Workforce Framework