Associate Principal/Digital Forensics (Forensic Services practice)

Charles River Associates; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Immigration support

100 hours of training annually

Wellness program

Job summary

Charles River Associates seeks an Associate Principal for its Forensic Services practice to lead digital investigations, manage client engagements, and supervise cross‑functional teams. You will coordinate data collection across MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows and Linux devices, perform forensic analysis, and provide expert testimony when required.

Applicants should have 7–10+ years in cyber intrusion, digital forensics or incident response, with strong leadership and project-management skills and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field preferred
• 7–10+ years in cyber intrusion investigation, digital forensics or incident response
• Experience diagnosing MacOS forensic artifacts (plists, unified logs, FS Events, spotlight metadata)
• Deep knowledge of Mac OS, Windows, Linux and file systems APFS, HFS+, FAT, NTFS
• Experience with forensic software products focused on MacOS and iOS analysis
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Hands-on technical role with experience as testifying expert, digital forensic examiner or incident responder
• Willingness to travel for client projects

Responsibilities

• Lead digital forensic investigations for CRA clients
• Manage onsite data collection and triage across MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows and Linux devices
• Perform forensic analysis of MacOS artifacts and data remediation
• Provide expert witness testimony when needed
• Supervise project teams and ensure quality of work
• Develop opportunities and improve digital forensic capabilities

Skills

Digital forensics

Team leadership

Project management

MacOS knowledge

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in related field

Tools

MacOS Forensics Tools

IOS Analysis Tools

APFS/HFS+/NTFS

Windows/Linux Forensics

Job description

Boston, MA, United States; Chicago, IL, United States; Dallas, Texas, United States; Houston, Texas, United States; New York, NY, United States; Oakland, CA, United States; Washington, DC, United States

About Charles River Associates

CRA is a leading global consulting firm that provides independent economic and financial analysis behind litigation matters, guides businesses through critical strategy and operational issues to become more profitable, and advises governments on the economic impact of policies and regulations. Our two main services – economic and management consulting – are delivered by practice groups that focus on specific areas of expertise or industries. Click here to learn how CRA can help you launch your career.

Job Overview

CRA’s Forensic Services practice supports companies’ commitment to integrity by assisting them and their counsel in independently responding to allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, and non-compliance. We are noted for deploying cross-trained teams of forensic professionals to assist our clients in gaining deeper insights and greater value more quickly. We provide accounting and forensic services as well as cybercrime investigation services.

As an experienced leader in the forensic & cyber investigations space, your responsibilities as an Associate Principal may include (but are not limited to):

• Leading digital forensic investigations for CRA clients, primarily in preparation of, and in response to theft of trade secret investigation;
• Leading teams or assigning resources to perform onsite data collection and/or triage of MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows and Linux devices;
• Performing forensic analysis MacOS related artifacts such as plists, unified logs, FS Events, spotlight metadata, etc.;
• Remediating data by securely removing it from multiple file systems and data platforms;
• Conducting mobile device extractions (including full file system extractions) and associated forensic examinations to identify user actions including the deletion of text messages;
• Use open-source and commercial tools to examine APFS, HFS+ FAT, NTFS, and other file systems.
• Providing expert witness testimony, if needed;
• Serving as primary point of contact for clients with regard to all engagement activities;
• Supervising project team execution by leading quality assurance efforts and overseeing work product;
• Identifying opportunities and implementing improvements to increase the abilities of the digital forensic team;
• Maintaining effective relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to assist in criminal matters;
• Creating, leading, and maintaining leveraged team environment that is positioned for continued success and expansion by actively recruiting and retaining employees, and managing team morale;
• Participating in and leading business development efforts by building relationships with current and potential clients, drafting and presenting proposals, participating in pitches, and demonstrating firm capabilities to potential clients;
• Assist with team recruiting and training efforts as needed;
• Working at the direction of counsel on investigations.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field is preferred but can be waived with sufficient experience;
• 7-10+ years’ experience in cyber intrusion investigation, digital forensics or incident response analysis;
• Training, certifications, or working experience investigating MacOS forensic artifacts such as plists, unified logs, FS Events, spotlight metadata, etc.
• Deep knowledge of Mac OS, Windows, and Linux operating systems, and APFS, HFS+, FAT, and NTFS file systems.
• Working knowledge of open-source and commercial forensic software products, particularly those focused on MacOS and iOS analysis.
• Ability to effectively lead teams, prioritize multiple projects and meet timely deadlines;
• Experience in a hands‑on technical role functioning as a testifying expert, digital forensic examiner, incident responder, network forensic analyst or malware analyst;
• Experience leading data analytics engagements and managing the execution of technology‑based best practices;
• Working knowledge of computer hardware components, operating systems, file systems, computer networks, e‑mail systems, mobile devices, IT security or incident response;
• Deep knowledge of networking (TCP/IP, design, traffic flow, protocols, sessions), operating systems (Windows / *nix) and web technologies;
• Willing and able to travel for client projects.

Career Growth and Benefits

• CRA’s robust skills development programs , including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.
• We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

Work Location Flexibility

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently ask that individuals spend 3 to 4 days a week on average working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to a client's location), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team. At certain times of the year (e.g. holiday periods), additional remote work options are offered to those whose work commitments permit it, although our offices remain open for those who choose or need to be there.

Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Salary and other compensation

A good-faith estimate of the annual base salary range for this position is $140,000 - $170,000. Stating pay within this range may vary based on factors such as education level, experience, skills, geographic location, market conditions, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position may be eligible for additional bonus incentive compensation.

CRA offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, which may include: medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; life and disability insurance; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays); paid parental leave; wellness programs and employee assistance resources; and commuter benefits.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Charles River Associates’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.