Cyber Systems Engineer - Level 3

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Chandler, AZ +1 · Cyber

Cyber Systems Engineer for Northrop Grumman's Space Sector, focusing on designing, developing, and implementing protection strategies for advanced missile, guidance, and seeker systems. The role involves integrating Anti-Tamper, Cybersecurity, Program Protection, and Cybersecurity Supply-Chain Risk Management to safeguard sensitive technologies against nation-state adversaries. Requires technical depth in secure embedded system design and security assessments.

What you'd actually do

  1. Define, lead, and implement embedded system security architecture (hardware, firmware, software) for missile/weapon systems, ensuring integrated Cybersecurity, Anti-Tamper, Program Protection coverage across the system lifecycle.
  2. Assess and mitigate system security threats and risks (vulnerabilities, supply-chain, hardware/firmware/software) throughout development, production, and sustainment phases.
  3. Decompose and allocate system security requirements (AT, Cyber, Exportability, Supply Chain Risk Management, where applicable) and integrate them into system requirements, design specifications, and test plans.
  4. Conduct trade-studies and countermeasure analyses to balance security, cost, performance, and schedule constraints; recommend and implement appropriate security controls (anti-tamper, encryption, secure hardware/firmware, obfuscation, supply-chain mitigation, etc.).
  5. Develop and maintain Program Protection Plans (PPP), Security Classification Guides (SCG), Security Plans (SSP), AT Plans, and other required program security documentation; coordinate with program management, engineering, and customer stakeholders.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience
  • Demonstrated experience in embedded systems security (hardware/firmware/software) for defense weapon systems, including threat analysis, risk mitigation, secure design, and implementation.
  • Solid understanding of DoD security practices, frameworks and processes; familiarity with Program Protection, CPI (Critical Program Information) identification and protection, threat/vulnerability analysis, and risk management.
  • Good communication skills; ability to work across teams and interface with engineers, program managers, and stakeholders.

Nice to have

  • Prior experience in development / deployment of Anti-Tamper technologies, secure hardware/firmware/design hardening, supply chain risk mitigation, exportability analysis, and secure design for classified programs.
  • Experience authoring or contributing to Program Protection Plans (PPP), Security Classification Guides (SCG), System Security Plans (SSP), AT Plans, and other program security documents.
  • Familiarity with regulatory/security frameworks (e.g., NIST SP 800-160, RMF/DoD 8140, DoD 5200.39 or other AT guidance) and prior participation in system accreditation or authorization processes.
  • Demonstrated leadership or mentorship experience; ability to guide junior staff; experience in cross-discipline integration (hardware/firmware/software/supply chain/test).

What the JD emphasized

  • Ability to obtain DoD Secret security clearance
  • US Citizenship