Principal Software Assessment Engineer (AHT)

About the role

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
• TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

About the role

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 Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Secure Access Enablement Engineer for the DAF CLOUDworks program at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

The incumbent will operate independently and serve as the direct interface between DoD security authorities—including the Designated Authorizing Official (DAO) and other Authorizing Officials (AOs)—and industry partners working under Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements.

The role’s purpose is to ensure that all OTA‑contracted users, devices, and services are securely provisioned onto classified cloud platforms while maintaining full compliance with RMF, STIG, and DISA requirements.

DAF CLOUDworks is a rapidly growing secure cloud program that encompasses 10+ teams supporting information security, infrastructure development, and cloud migration. Along with operations and sustainment, DAF CLOUDworks focuses on modifying and enhancing offerings to implement new requirements, enhance functionality, increase efficiency, or lower operating/deployment. Successful candidates should have a track record as an effective communicator and problem solver who is able to develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Secure Access Enablement Engineer

• Have one of the following:
• A high school diploma with 9 years of relevant experience
• A bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience
• A master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience
• A PhD in with 1+ years of relevant experience
• Active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility
• Able to obtain IAT Level II certification per DoD 8570.01 such as CompTIA Security+ (formerly CASP+) or CompTIA Security+ within 60 days of start date.
• Demonstrated experience directly interfacing with DoD security officials (including the Designated Authorizing Official)
• Strong grasp of RMF, DISA STIG/SRG, ACAS/Tenable Nessus, SCAP, eMASS/XACTA processes
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and languages including but not limited to Ansible, Terraform, Bicep, ARM templates, Puppet, and Pulumi
• Working knowledge of Cloud Service Providers (CSP) operating on government networks
• Proven ability to produce executive‑level briefings, clear compliance documentation, and independent risk assessments.

Preferred Qualifications

• CompTIA SecurityX or CompTIA Security+ certification or IAT Level II equivalent per DoD 8570.01
• Ability to serve as the senior autonomous point of contact for multiple AOs and the DAO; shape policy and escalation procedures enterprise‑wide.
• Oversee the full OTA onboarding portfolio, setting standards and ensuring each partner adheres to the same independent, auditable process.
• Ability to own the risk‑management posture for the entire onboarding program and influence DAO‑level risk‑acceptance decisions.
• Ability to author concise risk assessments, POA&M updates, and DAO/AO briefing packages.
• Hands on experience deploying digital infrastructure in an automated fashion
• Kubernetes expertise

#CWI2026

Primary Level Salary Range

$103,600.00 - $155,400.00

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.