2026 Associate Cyber Systems Engineer - Pathways Program - Huntsville AL

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.

Northrop Grumman is a space pioneer, supporting government, civil and commercial customers in solving their biggest challenges. Our forward-leaning, innovative spirit is backed by a legacy of expertise that began at the dawn of the space age. Our mission experience in space runs deep, we know our customers well, and our capabilities are unmatched. This is what allows us to provide reliable, agile and affordable space solutions to best serve our customers.

From defending freedom to advancing human discovery, we are defining what is possible in space every day.

Entry Level opportunities at Northrop Grumman are unique. Are you interested in boosting your knowledge through experience and exposure, while supporting a mission that seeks to protect our nation and its allies? If so, then Northrop Grumman is the place you!

Our professionals live and breathe different perspectives; we are curious about the world, accepting each other, and aware that the more ideas, backgrounds, opinions and experiences we bring to our work, the stronger that work will be. Just as you would invest your time and hard work into our company, we focus on investing back into you through enriching professional experiences and high-quality learning and development opportunities. We want you to bring your whole self to work, and for you to have meaningful connections with your coworkers, customers and communities, while providing the best products, systems and technologies to protect our world.

Northrop Grumman is seeking Associate Cyber Systems Engineers . This position will be located at our Space sector in Huntsville, AL. This position will be in the Pathways rotational program where there will be three rotation opportunities within engineering.

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman's Agile Cyber Execution team.

Roles and Responsibilities

This role is responsible for cybersecurity subject matter expertise in the design and development of the GWS capability on behalf of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).


In this role you will ensure system security requirements are met by enforcing security considerations throughout the system security engineering (SSE) lifecycle. You will interface directly with engineering stakeholders to ensure security controls, compliance, and vulnerability mitigations are up to cybersecurity system engineering standards.


The selected candidate must be capable of working independently in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative teams comprised of all experience levels.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Design, plan, implement, and perform assessment of security controls, polices, and processes compliance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-53, CNSSI 1253, and DoD RMF Knowledge Service guidance.
• Review and assess system security requirements and associated verification methods per RMF standards.
• Provide implementation guidance and oversight of a technical team.
• Coordinate and communicate with software engineering stakeholders and cybersecurity system engineers to ensure program security controls are met or scheduled to be worked off.
• Assist with the design and development of system security architectures.
• Provide advanced technical analyses of cyber infrastructure challenges and problems; develop/identify technical solutions responsive to customer needs.
• Participate in team reviews of policy and technical security requirements throughout system lifecycle
• Assist with ensuring the product requirements integrate into the total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
• Present solutions to customers and senior management using tailored material based on the audience.
• Serve as a Cybersecurity System Engineer supporting high-level technical and practical expertise.
• This position requires practical experience in developing and implementing a security baseline and must be able to communicate their significance and relevancy in a clear, detailed manner.

Basic Qualifications:

A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD) from an accredited institution
• Be majoring in or having majored in Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM field
• Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
• The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
• Knowledge of Risk Management Framework (RMF) assessments and implementations
• Knowledge of Cyber Resiliency, Software Assurance, Attack Surface Analysis, Threat Assessment, Operations Security Plans, Defensive Cyberspace Operations, IT/Cybersecurity Strategies, Enterprise Architecture frameworks (e.g. DoDAF), and related documentation IAW DoDI 8500.01, DoDI 8510.01, and NIST SP 800-53
• Applicants must possess or be actively pursuing DoD 8140/8570 certification (e.g. Security+ CE).
• Project experience in the development of complex systems.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate excellent written and communication skills.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate ability to think critically and capture concepts in work products, presentations, and discussions.
• Applicants must be capable of working both independently and within a team environment.
• Applicants must possess knowledge of Agile software development methodologies, object-oriented architecture, software integration and testing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
• Knowledge of System Security Engineering IAW NIST SP 800-128, NIST SP 800-160, and NIST SP 800-171.
• Experience in complex security architectures.
• 1 year of experience with DevSecOps methodologies.
• The ability to learn new technologies quickly and independently solve problems in a fast-paced environment.
• Currently possess Sec+ CE certification.

Salary Range:

$80,100 to $120,100

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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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.