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Principal /Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Full Time On-site
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Polygraph

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.

Join Northrop Grumman on our continued mission to push the boundaries of possible across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.

At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we’ll support you with expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.

We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer or Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer level based out of McLean, VA.

Responsibilities:

  • Work in a chemical laboratory environment collaborating with other members of a customer team to leverage old and new systems and technologies in innovative ways to develop proprietary products that can be distributed worldwide.
  • Interact with other team members, customers, outside contractors, and agencies to analyze, develop, test, train, demo, and deploy systems that are both unique and traditional in a challenging world.
  • Able to work independently without supervision and meet quick deployment deadlines ensuring the solutions meet the customer’s product requirements.
  • Occasionally local and domestic travel for program-related meetings with external contractors/offices.
     

This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer or Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer level.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer:

  • A security clearance is not required at the time of application. Employment is contingent upon the candidate successfully obtaining a TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance prior to their start date.
  • Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and 4 years of related experience, a master’s degree in chemistry with 2 years of related experience, or a PhD with 0 year's of related experience.
  • Experience working in a chemistry lab environment performing product/system analysis, development, and testing.
  • Intermediate to strong computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office)
  • Ability to provide detailed instruction, demos, and training to individuals and groups.

Basic Qualifications for a Senior Principal Cyber Systems Engineer:

  • A security clearance is not required at the time of application. Employment is contingent upon the candidate successfully obtaining a TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance prior to their start date.
  • Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and 7 years of related experience, a master’s degree in chemistry with 5 years of related experience, or a PhD with 3 years of related experience.
  • Experience working in a chemistry lab environment performing product/system analysis, development, and testing.
  • Intermediate to strong computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office)
  • Ability to provide detailed instruction, demos, and training to individuals and groups.

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:

  • Active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance.
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Willing and able to accommodate quick reaction system requirements.
  • Chemical analytical skills
  • Knowledge of paper manufacturing/coating/tableting techniques and methods.
  • Some familiarizations with traditional digital photographic methods.
  • Software programming skills

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Primary Level Salary Range: $125,300.00 - $187,900.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $156,400.00 - $234,600.00

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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