Cyber Range Architect & Automation Engineer

Exigent Services, LLC; United States; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Exigent Services is seeking a Cyber Range Engineer to design, build, operate, and sustain advanced cyber range environments for training and mission rehearsals. The role focuses on realistic, scalable virtualized networks across enterprise and cloud contexts, collaborating with exercise planners and technical teams to implement scenario injects and data flows.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years of cyber ops or IT infra experience, strong virtualization and scripting skills, and hands-on work

Qualifications

• 5+ years of cyber operations, training environments, or enterprise IT infra experience.
• Experience building, configuring, and maintaining Linux and Windows systems in a cyber range or training environment.
• Familiarity with Active Directory basics: domains, trusts, OUs, GPOs, DNS.
• Hands-on experience with SIEMs and sensor placement.
• Experience with virtualization tech: VMware, KVM, Hyper‑V.
• Scripting/automation experience: Bash, PowerShell, Python, Ansible.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, operate, and sustain cyber range environments for training and exercises.
• Collaborate with planners, red/blue teams, and engineers to reflect real-world conditions.
• Troubleshoot issues, restore environments, and adjust range configurations in real time.
• Document range architectures, configurations, and SOPs; support continuous improvement.

Skills

Cyber range engineering

Virtual networking

Linux/Windows admin

Active Directory basics

SIEM/sensor placement

Virtualization tech

Scripting/Automation

Team collaboration

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

VMware

KVM

Hyper-V

Security Onion

Ansible

PowerShell

Python

Job description

The Cyber Range Engineer is responsible for designing, building, operating, and sustaining cyber range environments that support training, exercises, and mission rehearsals for defensive and offensive cyber missions. This role directly supports the development of realistic, scalable, and secure virtual environments used to train cyber operators, test tools and tactics, and execute complex cyber exercise scenarios. The Cyber Range Engineer works closely with exercise planners, scenario developers, red and blue teams, and infrastructure engineers to ensure ranges accurately reflect real-world operational conditions and mission objectives. This position requires a strong combination of hands-on technical expertise, systems integration experience, and the ability to translate exercise requirements into functional cyber range architectures.The Cyber Range Engineer designs and engineers virtualized and containerized environments that replicate enterprise, cloud, and mission-focused networks for cyber training and exercise execution. The engineer builds, configures, and maintains cyber range infrastructure, including virtual machines, networks, enclaves, and supporting services, to enable full-spectrum training objectives.The role includes integrating tools, scripts, and platforms used by red, blue, and white teams, as well as supporting exercise execution by troubleshooting technical issues, restoring environments, and adjusting range configurations in real time. The Cyber Range Engineer collaborates with scenario developers to implement scenario injects, adversary behaviors, and data flows that align with exercise objectives.The engineer is also responsible for documenting range architectures, configurations, and standard operating procedures, and for supporting continuous improvement of range capabilities, automation, and scalability.

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience supporting cyber operations, cyber training environments, or enterprise IT infrastructure with a strong emphasis on virtualized or lab-based environments.
• Working knowledge of virtual networking concepts, including VLANs, routing, firewalls, and network segmentation.
• Experience building, configuring, andmaintainingLinux and Windows systems in a cyber range, lab, or training environment.
• Familiaritywith Active Directory basics: domains, trusts, OUs, GPOs, DNS, permissions.
• Familiarity with SIEMs such as Security Onion, logging and monitoring solutions, and proper sensor placement.
• Hands-on experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware, KVM, or Hyper-V.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically, analyze complex technical issues, and troubleshoot problems in time-sensitive, execution-focused environments.
• Experience supporting cyber exercises, cyber training events, or operational test environments, including execution-phase troubleshooting and environment restoration.
• Experiencewith scripting or automation tools such as Bash, PowerShell, Python, or Ansible to support range deployment and sustainment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with exercise planners, scenario developers, red/blue teams, and infrastructure engineers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document range architectures, configurations, and standard operating procedures.
• TS/SCI clearance withCIpolygraph
• Bachelor’s degree

Exigent Services offers a comprehensive compensation package including: 401K, health, vision, dental, and life/disability insurance.