Cybersecurity SME

Prescient Edge; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus opportunities

Comprehensive healthcare benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

Prescient Edge seeks a Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert to protect Navy unmanned systems networks and data. You will lead security monitoring, threat analysis, incident response, and secure network design to ensure fielded capabilities are resilient and compliant with DoD requirements.

The role requires active clearance, hands-on SIEM/EDR experience, and strong communication for technical and leadership audiences.

Qualifications

• Active SECRET clearance is required (TS/SCI preferred).
• 8+ years in cybersecurity including security ops, IR, forensics or threat hunting.
• Military experience preferred (Navy/Coast Guard/Marine/SOCOM).
• Hands-on with SIEM and EDR tools.
• Networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs.

Responsibilities

• Monitor programs networks and systems for unusual activity and threats; develop detection approaches.
• Lead incident response, evidence collection, scope/root-cause analysis; provide mitigation for Windows and Linux.
• Analyze threat activity, malware, and ATT&CK techniques; assess risks to unmanned systems and links.
• Support secure network design and hardening of tactical/site networks including routers, firewalls, VPNs, links.
• Evaluate vendor hardware/software for security risks and advise safeguards before fielding.

Skills

Security Monitoring

Incident Response

Threat Analysis

Network Engineering

Technical Writing

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity / CS / IT

Tools

SIEM

EDR

Zeek

Suricata

Wireshark

Splunk

Job description

Prescient Edge is seeking a Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support a federal government client.

Benefits & Compensation:

At Prescient Edge, we believe that acting with integrity and serving our employees is the key to everyone’s success. To that end, we provide employees with a best-in-class benefits package that includes:

• A competitive salary with performance bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical, vision, dental, and orthodontia coverage.
• A substantial retirement plan with no vesting schedule.
• Career development opportunities, including on-the-job training, tuition reimbursement, and networking.
• A positive work environment where employees are respected, supported, and engaged.
• Salary range: $120,000 - $170,000. Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills and the abilities of the applicant internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Position Overview:

The Cybersecurity SME protects the networks, systems, and data that support U.S. Navy unmanned systems (UxS) operations. This role secures the connections between unmanned surface vessels (USVs), ground control stations, operating picture systems, and partner organizations, and helps ensure new capabilities are fielded securely.

Working alongside the Mission Integration team, the Cybersecurity SME brings both defensive cyber expertise and a solid understanding of network engineering. This position serves as the team’s lead for security monitoring, threat analysis, incident response, and secure network design, and advises government customers on cyber risk and mitigation.

Job Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

• Security Monitoring and Threat Detection: Establish and maintain monitoring of program networks and systems. Identify unusual activity, unauthorized devices, and potential threats, and develop detection approaches tailored to the operational environment.
• Incident Response and Forensics: Lead investigation and response to security events, including evidence collection, scope and root-cause analysis, and mitigation recommendations across Windows and Linux systems.
• Threat Analysis: Analyze threat activity, malware, and adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) using frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK. Assess risks to unmanned systems, communications links, and vendor equipment.
• Secure Network Design: Support the design, configuration, and hardening of tactical and site networks, including routers, firewalls, VPNs, satellite and cellular links, and mesh radios. Validate that data flows only where intended.
• Vendor and System Security Assessment: Evaluate vendor hardware and software for security risks, including unexpected outbound communications, and recommend safeguards before systems are fielded.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Support DoD cybersecurity requirements, including Risk Management Framework (RMF) activities, security documentation, and authorization support.
• Automation: Develop scripts and tools to automate evidence collection, monitoring, and repeatable security tasks.
• Documentation and Briefing: Develop security playbooks, SOPs, and technical guides. Brief findings, risks, and recommendations to both technical and leadership audiences.
• Customer and Partner Coordination: Coordinate with government customers, partner organizations, and industry on cyber threats, information sharing, and secure connectivity.

Required Qualifcations:

• Active SECRET clearance (TS/SCI preferred).
• 8+ years of experience in cybersecurity, including security operations, incident response, digital forensics, or threat hunting.
• Military experience (U.S. Navy, USCG, Marine Corps, or SOCOM preferred).
• Hands-on experience with SIEM and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools.
• Working knowledge of network engineering fundamentals, including TCP/IP, routing, switching, firewalls, and VPNs.
• Experience with network traffic and packet analysis.
• Experience investigating and responding to incidents across Windows and Linux environments.
• Familiarity with the MITRE ATT&CK framework and adversary TTPs.
• Strong technical writing and briefing skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to lead tasks independently and coordinate across government and contractor teams.
• Active DoD 8140/8570-compliant certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+).

Desired Qualifcations:

• Experience with network security monitoring tools (e.g., Zeek, Suricata, Wireshark, Splunk).
• Experience with malware analysis and reverse engineering (e.g., Ghidra).
• Scripting experience (Python, PowerShell, or Bash) for security automation.
• Experience with cloud security and investigations (Azure, Azure Government, AWS) and Zero Trust concepts.
• Experience securing network devices (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Peplink).
• Experience securing operational technology (OT), tactical, or air-gapped environments.
• Familiarity with unmanned systems, tactical communications, or maritime operations.
• Experience with RMF, STIGs, and system authorization processes.
• Experience with AI-assisted analysis and security automation.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field preferred.
• Relevant military or industry experience may substitute for a degree.
• Certifications such as CompTIA Network+, CySA+, GIAC (GCIH, GCFA, GREM), or CISSP are a plus.

Security Clearance:

• Active SECRET clearance required; TS/SCI preferred.
• Primarily on-site at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story.
• Flexible hours allowed, but the majority of time is on-site.
• Field events may involve extended hours, on-water operations, and expeditionary conditions.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 40+ lbs during equipment staging.
• Ability to embark vessels for at-sea operations.
• Ability to work outdoors in maritime environments.

Prescient Edge is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) founded as a counterintelligence (CI) and Human Intelligence (HUMINT) company in 2008. We are a global operations and solutions integrator delivering full-spectrum intelligence analysis support, training, security, and RD&E support solutions to the Department of Defense and throughout the intelligence community. Prescient Edge is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by law. We strive to foster equity and inclusion throughout our organization because we believe that diversity of thought is critical for creating a safe and engaging work environment while also enabling the organization’s success.