Principal Cyber Software Engineer (J)
- Location
- Annapolis Junction, MD
- Work type
- On-site
- Job type
- Full-time
- Salary
- $125.3K – $187.9K / yr
- Clearance
- TS/SCI + Poly
- U.S. citizenship
- Required
- Posted
- Nov 4, 2026
About the role
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!
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.