Principal / Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

Description

The company's defense systems unit is hiring a cyber systems engineer at Principal or Senior Principal level for a ground station program that was built for the US Army and now serves the US Space Force.

The program takes in data sent directly from the infrared satellite constellation that detects missile launches, then passes warning and cueing alerts on ballistic missiles and other tactical events to users across the theater over several networks.

The role centers on security assessments, compliance work and hardening systems to meet DoD and NIST standards, with close work across a cross-functional team and with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Write and keep current the technical standard operating procedures and processes the work needs.
• Propose, put in place and support system upgrades that improve performance, reliability and security, covering installation, monitoring, troubleshooting and configuration management.
• Carry out analysis, design, build, rollout and security assessments so systems meet NIST SP 800-53, CNSSI 1253 and the DoD RMF Knowledge Service guidance.
• Review information systems and network devices and judge how configuration changes affect operations and security.
• Run cybersecurity projects independently at an intermediate to advanced level, following DoD security instructions, policies and frameworks.
• Find and resolve system failures and performance problems quickly.
• Build and maintain cybersecurity documentation and supporting artifacts.
• Use endpoint protection platforms, SIEM tools and vulnerability scanners to monitor, detect, assess and respond to threats.
• Join technical interchange meetings and work with teams across functions.
• Contribute security engineering input to program documents, security authorization packages, CDRLs and research and development reports.

Requirements

• For a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: 5 years of relevant cybersecurity experience with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or a related STEM field, or 3 years with a master's degree in cybersecurity or a related STEM field.
• For a Sr. Principal Cyber Systems Engineer: 9 years of relevant cybersecurity experience with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or a related STEM field, or 7 years with a master's degree in cybersecurity or a related STEM field.
• Active IAT Level II certification, such as CompTIA Security+.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Strong written and verbal communication with subordinates, peers and leaders.
• Solid organization and time management.
• Moderate to advanced knowledge of Trellix Endpoint Security Solutions (ESS).
• Intermediate skill with the RHEL command line, Windows PowerShell, or both.
• Intermediate to advanced experience with NIST SP 800-37 RMF for DoD systems, including working through the NIST and DoD RMF processes.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of SP 800-53 security and privacy controls, including choosing and applying the right overlays.
• Proven ability to check system and network configurations against DISA STIGs, NIST 800-53 security controls and ISO/IEC 15408 Common Criteria, and to build strong RMF accreditation packages.
• Preferred: for a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer, intermediate to advanced knowledge of security risks and strategies, plus SIEM, antivirus, proxy, firewall and intrusion detection concepts, tools and processes.
• Preferred: for a Senior Principal Cyber Systems Engineer, advanced knowledge of security risks and strategies, plus SIEM, antivirus, proxy, firewall and intrusion detection concepts, tools and processes.
• Preferred: experience obtaining or maintaining ATO accreditation and working with the ISSO and ISSM.
• Preferred: experience creating, editing and updating program CDRLs.
• Preferred: expert knowledge of Trellix Endpoint Security Solutions (ESS).
• Preferred: experience with Hyper-V, VMware or both.
• Preferred: working knowledge of Splunk.
• Preferred: experience applying DevSecOps practices and principles to release management.
• Preferred: experience with satellite communications ground systems, missile warning systems or both.
• Preferred: experience supporting US Space Force development or sustainment programs as a defense contractor.
• Preferred: working knowledge of JIRA for task assignment, status tracking and execution.

Conditions

Based in Colorado Springs, CO.

Secret clearance is required at the start.

No travel is required.

Relocation assistance may be available.

Primary level base pay ranges from $113,900.00 to $170,900.00, and secondary level base pay ranges from $142,200.00 to $213,200.00.

These ranges are a general guide; final base pay depends on the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Applications are estimated to stay open for 20 days from the posting date, but this may be shortened or extended based on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Benefits

• Depending on the position, overtime, shift differential and a discretionary annual bonus may be available on top of base pay; annual bonuses reward individual contributions and let employees share in company results.
• Vice President and Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.
• Health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, paid company holidays and paid time off for vacation or personal business.