Cyber Security Systems Engineer - Junior

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

 

SPA's Sea Land Air (SLA) Division supports a diverse portfolio of national security government clients, including the Undersea Enterprise, the Navy Surface Community, the Navy MPTE Enterprise, the Air Force, Army, DoD Agencies, DARPA, international clients including the Canadian Navy and Australian Defence Force.  Our primary objective is to provide timely, objective and analytic assessments that integrate the policy, operational, technical, programmatic and acquisition aspects of our clients' challenges.

 

Leveraging both in-domain and cross-domain expertise to maximize our clients' success, SLA Division acts as trusted agents to senior decision-makers and key leaders and excels at providing data driven analytic insights, Systems Engineering, strategies and plans that address current and emerging challenges to national security.

 

SPA's Air Force and Army Programs Group provides aviation-focused analysis and program management for life-cycle Systems Engineering and logistics support, rapid capabilities development and fielding, cyber warfare operations, nuclear C3, and integrated air and missile defense planning. We provide advanced studies, wargame development, and analysis to support materiel operations, supply strategies, and fleet readiness.

 

SPA has an immediate need for a Cybersecurity Systems Engineer to join our growing team in Washington, DC. #MC

 

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent.  Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  

 

SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.  

 

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.

 

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only.  Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.  Washington, DC Pay Transparency Range:  $125,000 - $145,000.

#MC

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include understanding operational needs of systems at varied stages of the SDLC through participation in acquisition meetings (PMR, PDR, CDR, etc.) and concept of operation (CONOP) working groups.  Designing and developing security requirements that drive down risk while maintaining operational capability. Working between architecture-level and implementation-level engineering meetings to maintain a system-wide view of security functions and apply risk mitigation strategies at the appropriate level. Guiding and verifying defense contractors' work against program requirements and goals. This includes participating in technical discussions, trade studies and working groups, and conducting research on industry best practices for potential implementation. Interfacing with program managers to explain security goals and mitigations relative to their priorities of cost and schedule.  Due to a long-standing relationship, this position also includes Security Control Assessor duties on behalf of the Authorizing Official (AO). Select and tailor controls from the NIST SP 800-53 control catalog in view of system needs and constraints.Review system and network artifacts and conduct assessments against selected control baselines, assessing residual risk and providing recommendations to the Authorizing Official.Evaluate software and hardware prior to entry to networks.

 

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent.  Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  

 

SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.  

 

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.

 

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only.  Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.  Washington, D.C. Pay Transparency Range:  $125-145k.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years' of related technical experience
• Firm understanding of the DoD 8500.1-M, Joint SAP Implementation Guide (JSIG), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53
• Demonstrated ability to assess and articulate risk, including to non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated history finding unique mitigations to varied systems' security challenges
• Demonstrated technical proficiency in at least one area of security (e.g. communications, networks, embedded systems, software, system testing or assessment, etc.)
• Strong research skills and a desire to learn new (emerging OR existing but unfamiliar) technologies
• Strong communication skills, written and oral
• Able to travel ~30% of time for program meetings
• TS/SCI Clearance and the ability to maintain it throughout employment

 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience with: Special Access Programs,acquisition programs, software engineering or code review

Employment Type: FULL_TIME