Consultant - Defense & Security - IT Controls - Campus 2027

Guidehouse Inc.; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Guidehouse Inc. is seeking an entry-level IT Controls Analyst to support Defense & Security IT controls testing and remediation for federal clients. You will work directly with stakeholders to gather artifacts, perform assessments, and document results while developing consulting skills in a growth-oriented environment.

Responsibilities include tailoring control designs, coordinating with system personnel, and contributing to business development activities. Travel up to 10% is expected.

Qualifications

• 0 years of experience required for an entry-level role.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; must be enrolled through Fall 2026 and graduate by December 2026.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust/Secret or higher level federal security clearance; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Perform IT controls assessments and testing in line with industry guidance.
• Interact with client stakeholders to gather artifacts and communicate results.
• Document test work clearly so tests are repeatable and auditable.
• Summarize assessment findings to client leadership and teams.
• Support day-to-day IT controls activities and remediation planning.
• Assist in business development and learning initiatives within Guidehouse.

Skills

IT controls testing

Stakeholder communication

Walkthrough interviews

Documentation quality

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Nessus

Oracle

SQL

Windows

UNIX

Job description

Job Family : IT Risk & Controls Consulting, Management Consulting

Travel Required : Up to 10%

Clearance Required : Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do

Our Defense & Security IT Controls Consulting Analysts help our federal clients within Defense & Security optimize the reliability of their financial systems. Our new consultants will also build their professional and personal consulting skillsets while gaining a strong understanding of consulting.

This entry-level role will be responsible for technical delivery of efforts supporting Defense & Security clients with IT risk and controls assessments, remediation, and other related support. The clients are responsible for coordinating and monitoring internal controls for their organizations, including performing assessments in accordance with OMB Circular A-123 and assisting other program offices with remediation and other related internal controls tasks.

The IT Controls Consulting Analyst will have a role in working directly with clients and other organizational stakeholders to support IT internal control efforts, including assessments, remediation, and other ad-hoc efforts.

Day-to-day tasks include overseeing/performing some or all of the following:

• Performing rigorous assessments of IT controls using industry-standard guidance and leading practices
• Performing walkthrough interviews and maintaining communication with a variety of client stakeholders, including system personnel such as system and database administrators
• Requesting, obtaining, reviewing, and analyzing a variety of artifacts to assist in executing IT controls testing such as security plans, SOPs, system screenshots, and system configuration settings
• Evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of IT controls using provided artifacts, industry-standard guidance, leading practices, and professional judgement
• Professionally documenting the results of IT controls test work in a consistent and high-quality manner that would allow a reviewer to repeat the test and reach the same conclusion
• Summarizing and communicating IT controls assessment results to a variety of client stakeholders, including senior leadership personnel
• Planning and executing day-to-day activities of IT controls assessments individually and for the team
• Working with client personnel to understand and analyze known IT control weaknesses, identify root causes, and develop detailed, robust remediation plans
• Providing subject matter expertise to client personnel on all matters relating to IT controls and responding to ad-hoc IT controls requests from client personnel

In addition to client-facing responsibilities, this entry-level role will support important activities that contribute to the growth of our business, strengthen internal Guidehouse operations, and create a positive work environment for all Guidehouse employees. Some of these activities include but are not limited to:

• Assisting in business development activities, such as identifying potential client needs and ways Guidehouse can assist, developing proposals and white papers, participating in client and internal account meetings, and more
• Participating in Guidehouse's programs for coaching and mentoring staff
• Assisting in the development of learning and development materials, courses, and presentations to help Guidehouse employees expand and strengthen their skills
• Supporting Guidehouse programs and initiatives for recruiting top talent to the company

What You Will Need

• Minimum Years of Experience: 0 years
• Minimum Degree Status: Bachelor's degree (Must still be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program through Fall 2026 and graduate by December 2026 )
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust, Secret, or higher level of federal/government security clearance. US Citizenship is required for security clearance.

What Would Be Nice To Have

• Degrees and backgrounds preferred: Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Information Systems, Business Information Technology, Computer Science, Accounting
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and privacy controls and regulations (e.g., NIST, FISMA, FISCAM, etc.)
• Familiarity with operating systems (e.g., Windows or UNIX), databases (e.g., Oracle, SQL) vulnerability management tools (e.g., Nessus), configuration management tools, and other tools that support a successful cyber security program for an organization
• Knowledge and understanding of project management principles and the phases of project management (Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring, Closure)
• Experience working in teams to produce high-impact work products, reports, and other deliverables in a fast-paced environment
• Heightened attention to detail, and the ability to create and edit technical and non-technical written work products and graphical presentations
• Ability to view problems from multiple angles and apply a variety of solutions to solving them
• Ability to participate in client-facing discussions and meetings
• Abi