Principal Cyber Software Engineer (J)

Northrop Grumman

Annapolis Junction, Maryland, United StatesFull-time$125,300–$187,900Posted Nov 4, 2026

About the role

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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.

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 Mission Systems is seeking a Cyber DevOps Engineer to support the Joint Cyber Weapons Common Services (JCWCS) program. JCWCS designs and implements mission applications that automate and scale intelligence-driven cyber operations. These services enable secure, timely delivery of optimal cyber payloads to authorized targets and support long-term and extended accesses, ensuring an adaptive posture in response to evolving cyberspace conditions and mission requirements. JCWCS integrates with multiple intelligence sources, higher-level command and control systems, and delivery platforms such as the Joint Common Access Platform. Together, these services streamline operational workflows, reduce manual operator burden, and enhance the speed, precision, and repeatability of offensive cyber missions.

This role is intended for engineers performing in a Cyber DevOps / DevSecOps capacity, working closely with software engineers, cyber operators, and platform teams to develop, secure, deploy, and sustain mission applications and supporting infrastructure. The selected candidate will support CI/CD pipeline implementation and sustainment, cybersecurity integration, containerized application environments, system administration, operational support, and field support representative-type functions as needed to maintain mission effectiveness.

Successful candidates should:

Work effectively with software engineers, cyber operators, system administrators, and mission stakeholders

Support development, integration, deployment, and sustainment activities across the software lifecycle

Contribute to CI/CD pipeline implementation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement

Apply cybersecurity practices within development and operational environments

Support containerized environments and associated deployment workflows

Assist with operational support, issue resolution, and user-facing sustainment activities

Interface with geographically dispersed teams and communicate status, risks, and blockers clearly

Thrive in a fast-paced mission environment requiring adaptability and collaboration

Able to work 100% onsite

Able to work as part of a rotating on-call team to provide after hours support as needed (typically one day per week).

Basic Qualifications for DevOps Engineer (level 3):

A high school diploma with 9 years of relevant experience; OR a Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience; OR a Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience

US Citizenship is required

Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Polygraph

Current Security+ certification or equivalent certification meeting DoD 8570.01 IAT Level II requirements

Experience in cybersecurity, software development, or operational support in a technical environment

Experience working in containerized environments using Kubernetes and/or Docker

Experience supporting Linux and/or Windows-based systems

Experience supporting technical operations, deployment, sustainment, or troubleshooting activities

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience applying cybersecurity principles in development, integration, deployment, and operational environments, including secure configuration, hardening, and vulnerability mitigation

Experience supporting DevOps / DevSecOps workflows for mission applications, including CI/CD pipeline implementation, containerized deployments, troubleshooting, and sustainment

Experience using Kubernetes and/or Docker to support deployment and operation of containerized services in secure environments

Experience administering Linux and Windows systems that support mission, production, or operational workloads

Experience with computer networking and troubleshooting service connectivity, system interfaces, and application integration across distributed environments

Experience providing operational support, sustainment, and user-facing troubleshooting for mission systems or production services

Experience partnering with software engineers to support build automation, release workflows, integration testing, and mission application delivery

Experience supporting fielded capabilities, remote users, or operational technical support functions

Experience with scripting and automation using Bash, PowerShell, Python, or similar tools

Experience working in Agile environments with strong communication skills and the ability to coordinate across software, operations, and mission stakeholders

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 Mission Systems is seeking a Cyber DevOps Engineer to support the Joint Cyber Weapons Common Services (JCWCS) program. JCWCS designs and implements mission applications that automate and scale intelligence-driven cyber operations. These services enable secure, timely delivery of optimal cyber payloads to authorized targets and support long-term and extended accesses, ensuring an adaptive posture in response to evolving cyberspace conditions and mission requirements. JCWCS integrates with multiple intelligence sources, higher-level command and control systems, and delivery platforms such as the Joint Common Access Platform. Together, these services streamline operational workflows, reduce manual operator burden, and enhance the speed, precision, and repeatability of offensive cyber missions.

This role is intended for engineers performing in a Cyber DevOps / DevSecOps capacity, working closely with software engineers, cyber operators, and platform teams to develop, secure, deploy, and sustain mission applications and supporting infrastructure. The selected candidate will support CI/CD pipeline implementation and sustainment, cybersecurity integration, containerized application environments, system administration, operational support, and field support representative-type functions as needed to maintain mission effectiveness.

Successful candidates should:

Work effectively with software engineers, cyber operators, system administrators, and mission stakeholders

Support development, integration, deployment, and sustainment activities across the software lifecycle

Contribute to CI/CD pipeline implementation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement

Apply cybersecurity practices within development and operational environments

Support containerized environments and associated deployment workflows

Assist with operational support, issue resolution, and user-facing sustainment activities

Interface with geographically dispersed teams and communicate status, risks, and blockers clearly

Thrive in a fast-paced mission environment requiring adaptability and collaboration

Able to work 100% onsite

Able to work as part of a rotating on-call team to provide after hours support as needed (typically one day per week).

Basic Qualifications for DevOps Engineer (level 3):

A high school diploma with 12 years of relevant experience; OR a Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience; OR a Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant experience

US Citizenship is required

Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Polygraph

Current Security+ certification or equivalent certification meeting DoD 8570.01 IAT Level II requirements

Experience in cybersecurity, software development, or operational support in a technical environment

Experience working in containerized environments using Kubernetes and/or Docker

Experience supporting Linux and/or Windows-based systems

Experience supporting technical operations, deployment, sustainment, or troubleshooting activities

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience applying cybersecurity principles in development, integration, deployment, and operational environments, including secure configuration, hardening, and vulnerability mitigation

Experience supporting DevOps / DevSecOps workflows for mission applications, including CI/CD pipeline implementation, containerized deployments, troubleshooting, and sustainment

Experience using Kubernetes and/or Docker to support deployment and operation of containerized services in secure environments

Experience administering Linux and Windows systems that support mission, production, or operational workloads

Experience with computer networking and troubleshooting service connectivity, system interfaces, and application integration across distributed environments

Experience providing operational support, sustainment, and user-facing troubleshooting for mission systems or production services

Experience partnering with software engineers to support build automation, release workflows, integration testing, and mission application delivery

Experience supporting fielded capabilities, remote users, or operational technical support functions

Experience with scripting and automation using Bash, PowerShell, Python, or similar tools

Experience working in Agile environments with strong communication skills and the ability to coordinate across software, operations, and mission stakeholders

What We Can Offer You:

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the

flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

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

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.

Responsibilities

  • Support CI/CD pipeline implementation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
  • Develop, secure, deploy, and sustain mission applications and supporting infrastructure.
  • Integrate cybersecurity practices into development and operational environments.
  • Support containerized application environments and deployment workflows.
  • Provide operational support, issue resolution, and user-facing sustainment.
  • Coordinate with software engineers, cyber operators, system administrators, and mission stakeholders.

Qualifications

  • Relevant experience in cybersecurity, software development, or technical operations; requirements vary by education level.
  • Active TS/SCI clearance with CI polygraph.
  • U.S. citizenship required.
  • Current Security+ certification or equivalent DoD 8570.01 IAT Level II certification.
  • Experience with Kubernetes and/or Docker.
  • Experience supporting Linux and/or Windows systems.
  • Experience with technical operations, deployment, sustainment, or troubleshooting.
  • Able to work 100% onsite and participate in a rotating after-hours on-call team.

Benefits

  • Health plan
  • Savings plan
  • Paid time off and company-paid holidays
  • Education assistance
  • Training and development
  • 9/80 work schedule where available
  • Potential overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus

Skills mentioned

DevOpsCybersecurityCI/CDKubernetesDockerLinuxContainerizationPythonShell ScriptingTCP/IP

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Inc. is a company based out of 12011 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, Virginia, United States.

2-10 employeesReston, Virginia