DPAE Aircraft Carriers Sr Cyber Security Architect

CACI International; Washington; On-site; USD 113,000 - 238,000; Full time

Job summary

CACI International is seeking a DPAE Aircraft Carriers Sr Cyber Security Architect to lead advanced cyber initiatives across CVN platforms. The role requires evaluating threats, defining cyber engineering standards, and coordinating with Navy and academic partners to accelerate fielding of secure capabilities.

The candidate will analyze mandates, oversee risk metrics, and drive incident response planning while mentoring engineers in a highly secure maritime environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering from an accredited university.
• Equivalent experience of 10+ years in machinery control systems and network security may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 7 years of direct experience with machinery control systems, network security, and cybersecurity design, testing, and commissioning.
• Demonstrated strong technical writing, documentation, and oral communication skills.
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).
• Professional Certifications: CISSP, CISM, or CCIE (desired).
• Navy domain experience with CVN platforms and maritime infrastructure exposure is highly preferred.
• Technical Authority: experience collaborating with TWHs and naval systems engineering directorates.

Responsibilities

• Research, evaluate, and implement next-generation cyber capabilities across the DPAE CVN portfolio utilizing data science and engineering to field capabilities.
• Emerging Mandates Analysis: analyze mandates including Zero Trust for OT, control systems, and combat systems to mitigate cyber risks.
• Technology Evaluation: assess novel cybersecurity technologies to improve CVN posture against threats to Navy control systems and HM&E assets.
• Collaborative RDT&E: work with academia, FFRDCs, and Naval Warfare Centers to support interoperability and cyber design criteria.
• Market Research: evaluate commercial technologies prioritizing rapid fielding in the maritime domain.
• Risk Metrics & Dashboards: define KPIs/KRIs and develop dashboards to inform leadership decisions.
• Data-Centric Analytics: enable continuous insights with Digital Operations teams and recommend hardening technologies.
• Incident Response Planning & Support: coordinate cyber incident response with CCIR and Maritime Cyber Planning.
• Incident Support: participate in analysis, containment, mitigation, and eradication per Navy procedures.
• Multi-Agency Collaboration: engage with TYCOM, SUPSHIP, shipbuilders, and enclave managers to integrate cybersecurity into CVN design and operations.
• Technical Communication: translate cyber risks into clear briefs for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentoring & Culture: provide advisory support and training to junior engineers to promote cybersafe practices.

Skills

Machinery control systems

Network security

Cybersecurity design

Technical writing

Oral communication

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering

Job description

Job Title: DPAE Aircraft Carriers Sr Cyber Security Architect

Job Category: Engineering

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: Secret

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%

Type of Travel: Continental US

* * *

The Opportunity:

• The Contractor shall research, evaluate, and implement next-generation cyber capabilities across the DPAE CVN portfolio utilizing advanced data science and specialized engineering to ensure the rapid fielding of capabilities.
• Emerging Mandates Analysis: Perform technical analysis and research on emerging mandates, including Zero Trust for operational technology (OT), control systems, and combat systems, to transform cyber operations and mitigate cyber risks posed by Frontier AI and post-quantum cryptography.
• Technology Evaluation: Evaluate novel, emerging cybersecurity technologies and solutions to continuously improve the CVN cybersecurity posture. Conduct specialized research on emerging threats and vulnerabilities targeting Navy control systems, networks, and Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical (HM&E) assets.
• Collaborative RDT&E: Collaborate with academia, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and Naval Warfare Centers (e.g., NSWC, NUWC) to provide domain expertise on cyber engineering standards and design criteria, supporting DPAE CVN interoperability with defensive cyber operations capabilities and architectures.
• Market Research: Conduct market research for commercial and non-traditional technologies, prioritizing solutions that deliver overwhelming efficiencies and rapidly field capabilities into the maritime domain.

The Contractor shall perform advanced cyber analytics and defensive operations to reduce technical stovepipes and improve the security posture of maritime critical infrastructure.

• Risk Metrics & Dashboards: Define, evolve, and manage key performance indicators (KPIs), key risk indicators (KRIs), and advanced metrics to provide DPAE CVN leadership with clear visibility into portfolio cyber risk postures. Develop advanced dashboards and analytical reports to inform strategic decisions and increase battlespace awareness.
• Data-Centric Analytics: Leverage data-centric cyber analytics and work directly with Digital Operations teams to stream continuous insights, streamline data processes, and recommend enabling technologies that harden system cybersecurity and operational readiness.
• Incident Response Planning & Support: Develop and coordinate cyber incident response processes that support integration with Commander's Critical Information Requirements (CCIR) and Maritime Cyber Planning and Response Centers.
• Incident Support: Participate as required in cybersecurity incident response efforts, including analyzing cyber events, investigating intrusions, and recommending containment, mitigation, and eradication measures in accordance with Navy incident response procedures.

The Contractor shall facilitate technical integration across the maritime engineering ecosystem and foster a strong culture of cyber awareness.

• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Collaborate closely with Portfolio Acquisition Executives, Engineering Agents, Technical Warrant Holders (TWHs), Type Commanders (TYCOM), the Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP), shipbuilders, and cybersecurity enclave managers. Ensure that cybersecurity engineering is holistically integrated into all aspects of CVN design, construction, modernization, sustainment, and operations.
• Technical Communication: Translate complex cyber risks and technical engineering recommendations into clear, actionable briefs for both technical and non-technical audiences, emphasizing potential impacts on mission capabilities to leadership.
• Mentoring & Culture: Provide technical advisory support and mentoring to junior cybersecurity systems engineers. Deliver targeted training and informational briefings to other technical disciplines within the directorate to promote a "cybersafe" systems engineering culture.
  

Qualifications:

Required:

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering from an accredited university. (Equivalent experience of 10+ years in machinery control systems and network security may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree).
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of direct experience with machinery control systems, network security, and cybersecurity design, testing, and commissioning.
• Technical Writing: Demonstrated strong technical writing, documentation, and oral communication skills.
• Security Clearance: Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).

Desired:

• Professional Certifications: CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), or CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert).

• Navy Domain Experience: Direct experience supporting Navy, Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine platforms, with highly preferred specialization in Aircraft Carriers (CVN 68 and CVN 78 classes).

• Maritime Infrastructure Experience: Experience working with or at a shipyard, Naval Warfare Center (NSWC/NUWC), Supervisor of Shipbuilding Command (SUPSHIP), Regional Maintenance Center (RMC), or Type Commander (TYCOM) supporting construction, operation, maintenance, modernization, and/or repair.

• Technical Authority: Proven experience collaborating with Technical Warrant Holders (TWHs) and naval systems engineering directorates.

What You Can Expect:

A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you'll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer's missions and driven by a higher purpose - to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You'll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground - in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range :

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as;

• healthcare
• wellness
• financial
• retirement
• family support
• continuing education
• time off benefits

The proposed salary range for this position is:

$113,200 - $237,800

CACI is anEqualOpportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any otherprotectedcharacteristic.