Principal Cybersecurity Systems Engineer

Join a team that supports mission-ready cybersecurity engineering with a role focused on securing software and hardware across complex systems. This onsite position in Palmdale, CA offers $125,300 to $187,900 per year, along with benefits including health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company paid holidays, and PTO for vacation and personal business. Depending on the position, there may be eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, plus annual bonuses. Relocation assistance may be available, and travel is required at 25% of the time.

What you will do

In this Principal Cybersecurity Systems Engineer role, you will assess vulnerabilities and help drive secure outcomes for projects where cybersecurity authorization decisions matter. You will investigate complex technical issues, evaluate software analysis results, and perform both automated and manual security checks across disparate equipment.

• Solve complex technical problems involving cybersecurity concepts
• Assess software static code analysis results
• Complete Cybersecurity Impact Appraisals/Evaluations on hardware/software projects
• Generate and maintain appropriate artifacts used for Air Force authorization decisions
• Perform system vulnerability scans using tools such as ACAS and STIGs
• Conduct manual STIG/SRG verifications on different types of equipment, including collecting and evaluating findings

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant military/professional experience, or a Master’s degree in a STEM field and at least 3 years, or a PhD and at least 1 year of relevant military/professional/academic experience
• Experience in cybersecurity
• Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. Government Secret (background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time based on business needs

Preferred qualifications

• CSSLP, CISSP, CEH, Security+
• Foundational systems engineering knowledge including requirements development, allocation, and traceability
• Foundational systems engineering knowledge including verification and validation planning and execution
• Foundational systems engineering knowledge including engineering change processes
• Experience performing cybersecurity impact assessments during design changes, capability upgrades, and/or baseline reviews
• Experience performing system vulnerability scans using ACAS and automated STIG tools such as Evaluate STIG or Security Compliance Checker
• Experience with networking technologies, router and switch configurations, troubleshooting, and security/vulnerability assessments
• Active U.S. government Secret clearance or higher (background investigation within the last 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)

Tools and technologies

• ACAS, STIGs, Evaluate STIG, Security Compliance Checker
• CSSLP, CISSP, CEH, Security+

Clearance required for start: Yes, Secret. Relocation assistance: may be available. Application period: estimated 20 days from the job posting date, potentially adjusted based on business needs and candidate availability.