DOD vs Northrop vs Big 4 cyber

Hello all,

Option 1: Current job - big 4 cyber. Doing GRC/vulnerability management/app sec. Pretty much strictly using Excel and Powerpoint, sprinkled in with a little JFrog Xray. 90k salary, fully remote. Sponsored secret clearance.

Option 2: DOD agency. Network analysis developmental program. 5 days a week on site. The most technical of all options. Probably the best training opportunities I would ever get. 95k salary. TS/SCI clearance out of the gate.

Option 3: Northrop Grumman Information Assurance. GRC work. Leverage my secret to start, will more than likely get sponsored for TS/SCI. Probably slightly more technical than what I am doing now at big 4, but unsure. 115-120k salary, 5 days a week on site.

Which of these options is the best for future growth? I am currently 30+ years old, graduated with an IT degree in 2022 after career change.

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and comments!

Posted Jul 10, 2026, 7:24 PM UTC · locked

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