Principal System Security Engineer (Level IV)

Location: Fullerton, CA

Schedule: Onsite, 9/80 work schedule

Contract: 6+ month contract with strong potential to extend multiple years

Start Date: 5/25/2026

Clearance: Active Secret required at start

Citizenship: U.S. Citizen required

Compensation

$80/hr to $96/hr

Overview

This role sits within a high-visibility defense program focused on protecting mission-critical systems and embedded technologies.

You will lead system-level security engineering efforts across architecture, design, and implementation. The work directly supports program protection, cybersecurity integration, and secure system deployment in a regulated DoD environment.

This is not a compliance-only role. You will actively shape how systems are secured across hardware, software, and network layers.

Program Details

Program: Sentinel

Contract: W31P4Q-24-C-0015

Key Responsibilities

System Security Engineering

• Define and implement System Security Engineering (SSE) requirements
• Develop security architectures across embedded and networked systems
• Flow down security requirements to subsystem level

Program Protection and Cyber Integration

• Support Program Protection Plan (PPP) execution
• Integrate cybersecurity into system development lifecycle
• Ensure compliance with NIST RMF controls

Technical Leadership

• Lead security design, development, and test activities
• Provide technical direction across engineering teams
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies

Engineering Execution

• Develop plans, estimates, and execution tracking
• Support proposals and technical bids
• Evaluate system impacts, tradeoffs, and cost considerations

Security Implementation

• Implement controls across OS, databases, networks, and hardware
• Support secure development for embedded systems
• Work within export control and DoD policy constraints

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM field
• 8+ years of experience in system security engineering or related field
• Active Secret clearance required at start
• Experience with DoD programs and secure system environments
• Strong background in system architecture and requirements development
• Experience with embedded security or real-time systems
• Experience working in Linux environments (Red Hat preferred)
• Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with NIST RMF and DoD compliance frameworks
• Security certifications such as Security+, CISSP, or equivalent
• Experience with SIEM tools (Splunk preferred)
• Experience with vulnerability assessment tools and endpoint security
• Scripting experience (Python or Bash)
• Background in network and system security administration
• Familiarity with PPP, DoDI 5000.02, and DoDI 5200.39

Work Environment

• Onsite engineering environment
• Highly collaborative program team
• Direct interaction with program leadership and customers

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) eligibility after 1 year
• Benefits begin after 30 days of employment

California Sick Leave

• Accrual-based paid sick leave in accordance with CA state law
• Eligible to receive up to 6 days sick time per year