Cybersecurity Engineer (Entry-Level) – DoD IRAD

Trident Systems; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Holidays

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Leaves

Annual discretionary bonus

Job summary

Trident Systems is seeking an entry-level Cybersecurity Engineer to support IRAD initiatives. The role involves identifying security requirements early, assessing risks in prototypes, and implementing practical security controls across Linux, Windows, virtualized, and cloud environments under senior staff guidance.

You will work with software and cybersecurity engineers to apply DoD cybersecurity frameworks, analyze findings, communicate risks, and grow into broader security responsibilities.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analytics, Engineering, or a related technical field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent work experience.
• CompTIA Security+ certification is required.
• 1+ years of experience in cybersecurity, information assurance, security compliance, system administration, or technical related work. Relevant internships, military experience, or substantial academic and project experience may be considered.
• Working knowledge of DoD Risk Management Framework processes and NIST SP 800-53 controls, with exposure to authorization documentation and Plans of Action and Milestones.
• Experience reviewing DISA STIG findings and vulnerability scan results from tools such as ACAS or Nessus and tracking remediation activities.
• Working knowledge of network protocols and the ability to evaluate the security implications of system communications and data flows.
• Familiarity with cloud and virtualized environments such as AWS, Azure, and VMware, including identity, encryption, storage, and network security concepts.
• Familiarity with scripting, programming, or data analysis tools, preferably Python, to support analysis and repeatable engineering tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support internal IRAD teams by incorporating cybersecurity requirements into system concepts, architectures, development, integration, and test activities.
• Review prototype system architectures, network protocols, data flows, and configurations to identify security risks and recommend practical mitigations.
• Map applicable NIST SP 800-53, Risk Management Framework, DISA STIG, and CUI requirements to prototype systems and document how controls will be addressed.
• Analyze cyber security vulnerability scan results and STIG findings; coordinate remediation with engineers and help verify corrective actions.
• Validate security settings, patch status, access controls, encryption, and hardening baselines for Linux, Windows, virtualized, and cloud environments.
• Develop and maintain cybersecurity engineering artifacts, including risk assessments, control matrices, Plans of Action and Milestones, test results, procedures, and architecture diagrams.
• Support cybersecurity testing and incident analysis by collecting evidence, documenting findings, and assisting with triage and reporting.
• Present security risks, assessment progress, and recommended mitigations to technical and program leadership, and help prepare IRAD solutions for future customer transition and authorization activities.
• Use Python or other scripting and data analysis tools to automate repeatable security checks, analyze security data, or improve reporting when practical.
• Work directly with relevant engineers; system administrators; program and product managers; senior cybersecurity staff; and management. May support customer representatives as IRAD solutions transition toward operational use.
• Create clear security reports, procedures, control mappings, test documentation, and architecture or data flow diagrams.
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Python scripting

NIST SP 800-53

RMF processes

DISA STIG

ACAS/Nessus

Cloud/VMware security

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, CS, IT, Data Analytics, Engineering, or related field

CompTIA Security+ certification

Tools

AWS

Azure

VMware

Job description

Trident Systems is seeking an entry-level Cybersecurity Engineer to support IRAD initiatives. The role involves identifying security requirements early, assessing risks in prototypes, and implementing practical security controls across Linux, Windows, virtualized, and cloud environments under senior staff guidance.

You will work with software and cybersecurity engineers to apply DoD cybersecurity frameworks, analyze findings, communicate risks, and grow into broader security responsibilities.