Cybersecurity Engineer - SME

Peraton; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton in Herndon, VA is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer - SME to provide cradle-to-grave cybersecurity support for mission-critical NAS systems under the BNATCS contract. You will work with engineering, data science, and systems teams to ensure security requirements are properly implemented.

You will develop SSPs, RMF artifacts, and support vulnerability management, security testing, and authorization activities across the system lifecycle, from requirements through deployment and

Qualifications

• US citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain/maintain Public Trust clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree with 12 years experience or Master’s with 10 years or Associate’s with 14 years or HS diploma with 16 years.
• Experience supporting cybersecurity across the SDLC and complex systems.
• Experience translating cybersecurity requirements into architecture and verification.

Responsibilities

• Provide cybersecurity engineering across the full system lifecycle: requirements, design, development, integration, test, deployment, operations, and sustainment.
• Develop, maintain, allocate, and trace cybersecurity requirements through design and verification.
• Develop and maintain SSPs, RMF artifacts, security controls, POA&Ms, and authorization evidence.
• Apply NIST SP 800-53, RMF, and applicable FAA cybersecurity requirements.
• Conduct architecture/design reviews, risk assessments, security testing, and remediation verification.
• Assess cybersecurity impacts of software releases, hardware/network changes, interfaces, patches.
• Support vulnerability management, continuous monitoring, baselines, configuration/change control, and POA&M closure.
• Provide cybersecurity engineering during system/site integration, testing, acceptance, deployment, and transition to operations.
• Collaborate with systems, software, network, test, and implementation teams to resolve cybersecurity risks.
• Communicate cybersecurity risks, impacts, and solutions to engineering teams, program leadership, and customers.

Skills

Cybersecurity engineering

RMF & NIST 800-53

System lifecycle

Education

Degree & experience requirements

Job description

Responsibilities

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe and connected.We’re looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world’s most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission — you’ll define it.

As a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer - SME, you will provide cradle-to-grave cybersecurity engineering support for mission-critical systems—from requirements and design through integration, testing, deployment, authorization, operations, and sustainment. You will work across engineering disciplines to ensure cybersecurity requirements are effectively implemented, verified, and maintained throughout the system lifecycle.

Work Location:

• This position is 100% on-site, primarily located in Herndon, VA.

In this position, you will:

• Provide cybersecurity engineering across the full system lifecycle, including requirements, design, development, integration, test, deployment, operations, and sustainment.
• Develop, maintain, allocate, and trace cybersecurity requirements through system design, implementation, and verification.
• Develop and maintain System Security Plans (SSPs), RMF artifacts, security controls, POA&Ms, and authorization evidence.
• Apply NIST SP 800-53, RMF, and applicable FAA/program cybersecurity requirements.
• Conduct cybersecurity architecture/design reviews, vulnerability and risk assessments, security testing, and remediation verification.
• Assess cybersecurity impacts of software releases, hardware/network changes, interfaces, patches, and configuration changes.
• Support vulnerability management, continuous monitoring, security baselines, configuration/change control, and POA&M closure.
• Provide cybersecurity engineering during system/site integration, testing, acceptance, deployment, and transition to operations.
• Partner with systems, software, network, test, integration, and implementation teams to identify and resolve cybersecurity risks.
• Communicate cybersecurity risks, impacts, and recommended solutions to engineering teams, program leadership, and customers.

Why This Role Matters

Your work will directly impact national transportation safety and innovation—helping develop and refine systems used by millions of travelers and aviation professionals every day. You’ll collaborate with top engineers, analysts, and FAA stakeholders to deliver solutions that meet the highest performance standards.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance
• Bachelor’s degree and 12 years experience or Masters degree and 10 years experience or Associate’s degree and 14 years years experience or HS diploma/equivalent and 16 years experience
• Cybersecurity engineering experience supporting complex government, aviation, defense, or other mission-critical systems.
• Demonstrated experience supporting cybersecurity across the system development lifecycle.
• Experience with RMF, SSP development, NIST SP 800-53, POA&Ms, security assessment, vulnerability management, and system authorization.
• Experience translating cybersecurity requirements into system architecture, design, implementation, and verification activities.
• Experience conducting cybersecurity architecture reviews, risk assessments, security testing, vulnerability analysis, and remediation.
• Experience supporting networked, distributed, or high-availability systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting FAA/NAS, DoD, or other mission-critical operational systems.
• Ability to communicate complex cybersecurity risks and recommendations to technical, program, and customer stakeholders.
• DoD 8570/8140 certification compliance appropriate to the position.
• Experience with geographically distributed systems, site integration, deployment, and operational transition.
• Experience with Linux, Windows, network security, firewalls, routers, switches, virtualization, and enterprise infrastructure.
• Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD security, SAST/DAST, vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, or security automation.
• Experience with Zero Trust principles and architecture.
• CISSP, CISM, Security+, SecurityX/CASP+, or equivalent certification.

#BNATCS

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.