Cyber Network Forensic Analyst IV

RiseMe; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision & Dental insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off + Holidays

Referral program

Job summary

Nightwing is seeking a Cyber Network Forensic Analyst to support a U.S. Government customer with on-site incident response and rapid investigations. You will coordinate with government leads, analyze network activity, collect artifacts, and publish actionable guidance to secure critical assets.

The role requires U.S. citizenship, TS/SCI eligibility, and 8+ years of network investigation experience. Work location is on-site in Arlington, VA with a strong emphasis on collaboration across locations.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship and an active security clearance or eligibility is required.
• Minimum 8 years of direct experience in network investigations and incident response.
• Deep knowledge of computer network defense policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP and common network protocols.
• Experience with network topology assessment and remediation guidance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate on-site incident response investigations with Government teams.
• Interface with customer on site and determine actions in response to anomalous activity.
• Assess network topology and device configurations for security risks and advise on best practices.
• Produce and publish CND guidance and incident findings to stakeholders.
• Collect and analyze network artifacts (PCAP, domains, URIs, certs) to enable mitigation.
• Analyze malicious traffic and identify exploitation methods and impacts.
• Ensure data integrity during investigations and tracking of evidence.
• Support real-time CND incident handling and on-site remediation activities.

Skills

U.S. Citizenship

TS/SCI Eligibility

DHS Suitability

8+ years network investigations

CND policies & regulations

TCP/IP protocols

MITRE ATT&CK

Splunk experience

Network security architectures

Team collaboration

Education

BS in CS/CS Security/CE

Tools

Splunk

Wireshark

PCAP analysis

Job description

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Nightwing is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide support for onsite incident response to civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners who experience cyber‑attacks, providing immediate investigation and resolution. Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize of the severity of breaches, develop mitigation plans, and assist with the restoration of services. Nightwing is seeking an Cyber Network Forensic Analyst to support this critical customer mission.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Government lead in coordinating teams in preliminary incident response investigations
• Assists the Government lead with interfacing with the customer while on site- Determines appropriate courses of actions in response to identified and analyses anomalous network activity
• Assesses network topology and device configurations identifying critical security concerns and providing security best practice recommendations
• Assists with the writing and publishing of Computer Network Defense guidance and reports on incident findings to appropriate constituencies
• Collects network intrusion artifacts (e.g., PCAP, domains, URI’s, certificates, etc.) and uses discovered data to enable mitigation of potential Computer Network Defense incidents
• Analyzes identified malicious network activity to determine weaknesses exploited, exploitation methods, effects on system and information
• Collects network device integrity data and analyze for signs of tampering or compromise
• Assists with real‑time CND incident handling (i.e., forensic collections, intrusion correlation and tracking, threat analysis, and advising on system remediation) tasks to support onsite engagements

Required Skills

• U.S. Citizenship
• Must have an active TS with SCI Eligibility
• Must be able to obtain DHS Suitability
• 8+ years of directly relevant experience in network investigations
• In depth knowledge of CND policies, procedures and regulations
• In depth knowledge of TCP/IP protocols
• In depth knowledge of standard protocols – ICMP, HTTP/S, DNS, SSH, SMTP, SMB, NFS, etc.
• In depth knowledge and experience of Wifi networking
• In depth knowledge and experience of network topologies - DMZ’s, WAN’s, etc.
• Substantial knowledge of Splunk (or other SIEM’s)- Understanding of MITRE Adversary Tactics, Techniques and Common Knowledge (ATT&CK)
• Knowledge of Computer Network Defense policies, procedures, and regulations
• Knowledge of defense‑in‑depth principles and general attack stages with respect to network security architecture
• Ability to characterize and analyze network traffic to identify anomalous activity and potential threats to network resources
• Ability to identify and analyze anomalies in network traffic using metadata
• Experience with reconstructing a malicious attack or activity based on network traffic
• Experience examining network topologies to understand data flows through the network
• Must be able to work collaboratively across physical locations

Desired Skills

• Substantial knowledge of network device integrity concepts and methodologies
• Proficiency with network analysis software (e.g. Wireshark)
• Proficiency with carving and extracting information from PCAP data
• Proficiency with non‑traditional network traffic (e.g. Command and Control)
• Proficiency with preserving evidence integrity according to standard operating procedures or national standards
• Proficiency with designing cyber security systems and environments in a Linux and/or Windows environment
• Proficiency with virtualized environments

Required Education

BS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, or related degree; or HS Diploma & 10+ years of network investigations experience.

Desired Certifications

• DoD 8140.01 IAT Level II, IASAE II, CSSP Analyst- DoD 8140.01 GCIA, GCIH, CSSP Analyst/CSSP Incident Responder
• DoD 8140.01 CEH, CSSP Analyst- SANS GIAC GNFA preferred

This requisition is eligible for an employee referral award. ALL eligibility requirements must be met to receive the referral award.

Arlington, VA

Salary & Benefits

The salary associated with this position ($122,000-$253,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.

Nightwingoffers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.

Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.