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Sr Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman · United States of America | United States-California-San Diego

Secret clearance requiredU.S. citizenship required

Posted 2026-10-13 · Verified live 2026-10-13

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About this role

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

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.

SIPRNet Project Manager Narrative

The Spectrum Center SIPRNet and Collaterals Team is responsible for operation, maintenance, and security of the SIPRNet Lab at Spectrum Center, as well as providing support for other collateral classified labs on the campus. The Project Manager’s primary focus as the Information System Owner will be to ensure the SIPRNet Lab maintains operation and accreditation, and that support and access are provided to the programs that require it. Other duties include supporting Program Managers in their ownership of collateral level classified labs through close work with IT and Cybersecurity and a strong understanding of classified system requirements.

 

A successful candidate will be comfortable working with people at all levels of the company as well as with government customers. The candidate will have a general understanding of the government contractor relationship and Earned Value Management to effectively manage the budget. They will be familiar with the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) to manage continued accreditation and approval from multiple government organizations. The candidate must be a proactive self-starter who thrives without direct oversight. The ability to cold call people and dive into government publications to find answers and solutions is also crucial.

 

Primary Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Act as the Information System Owner (ISO) and central POC for the SIPRNet Lab, representing all participating Program Managers. The ISO is responsible for system accreditation and operation, including maintaining a sufficient budget.
  • Lead weekly staff meetings to coordinate efforts of the lab support team.
  • Work with Spectrum Center Industrial Security to maintain compliance with all physical and personnel security requirements.
  • Work with Spectrum Center Cybersecurity to maintain compliance with all information security and cybersecurity requirements.
  • Build and maintain an understanding of:
    • How the SIPRNet Circuit operates with the government and requirements for DoDIN connected systems.
    • Its relationship with the participating program managers
    • Business Management functions such as budget and Zero Cost Pool.
  • Lead monthly budget meetings and annual budget planning process
  • Maintain relationships with Program Managers, Business Leadership, Government Sponsors, and Management for Industrial Security, Cybersecurity, and IT.
  • Identify efficiencies to ensure technical and business objectives are achieved at the lowest cost to the customer.
  • Manage access to the lab and networks
  • Communicate any potential impacts to system availability to Program Management stakeholders and the Sponsoring government office.
  • Maintain ownership of all lab equipment
  • Act as a member of the Incident Response Team (IRT) in reporting/resolving any security violations/incidents
  • Maintain records in SharePoint and track lab related tasks in JIRA
  • Other duties as required to support the labs and support team.

 

The selected candidate will take ownership of SIPRNet systems and coordination and maintain a culture of security, cohesion, and customer support. The candidate should be quick to provide support, but also not hesitate to hold users to restrictions defined in policies governing the lab and site. The candidate will have the ability to understand both business goals and requirements as well as security requirements and ensure balance between them.

 

As a Northrop Grumman Employee, you always act with integrity and the highest ethical standards characterize everything you do. You treat all people with respect, and you model personal growth and continuous development. You know how to build an inclusive environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. You develop trusted and valued customer relationships and communicate effectively, so that people throughout the organization feel engaged and connected to their work. You deliver excellence, strive for continuous improvement, and respond vigorously to change.

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • 8 Years with Bachelors in Science; 6 Years with Masters; 4 Years with PhD
  • A current/active U.S. Government Secret clearance is required.
  • At least 5 years experience leading program or project teams.
  • At least 5 years experience working in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM)
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to utilize Microsoft tools to generate presentations and policy documents that will be delivered to outside entities.
  • Cybersecurity certification such as Security+ or higher or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
  • Experience with the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF)

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Cost Account Manager (CAM) experience or training
  • Program Management Experience
  • Master’s degree, ideally in a STEM discipline or 10 years of related professional/military experience
  • Cybersecurity certification such as CISM or higher or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
  • DoW experience especially related to IT, Cybersecurity, or involving interactions with higher echelons.

 

Primary 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.

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