External Job Posting Title Cybersecurity Engineer - SME

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

Job summary

Peraton in Herndon, VA seeks a Cybersecurity Engineer - SME to provide cradle-to-grave cybersecurity engineering for mission-critical systems. You will cover requirements, design, integration, testing, deployment, authorization, operations, and sustainment, working across disciplines to implement robust security controls.

This on-site role collaborates with systems, software, network, and FAA program teams to ensure security is embedded from planning through operations.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain Public Trust clearance.
• Extensive cybersecurity engineering experience across the system lifecycle.
• Experience with RMF, SSP development, and NIST SP 800-53.
• Ability to translate cybersecurity requirements into architecture and verification activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide cybersecurity engineering across full system lifecycle from requirements to sustainment.
• Develop and trace cybersecurity requirements through design and verification.
• Prepare SSPs, RMF artifacts, security controls, and POA&Ms.
• Apply NIST RMF, FAA cybersecurity requirements, and guidance.
• Conduct architecture reviews, risk assessments, and remediation verification.
• Support vulnerability management, baselines, and configuration control.

Skills

RMF experience

NIST SP 800-53

DevSecOps

Cloud security

Vulnerability management

Penetration testing

Security automation

CI/CD security

COTS integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Associate’s degree

HS diploma/equivalent

Tools

Linux/Windows security

SAST/DAST

Vulnerability scanners

Security monitoring tools

Network security devices

Zero Trust concepts

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 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 standards, RMF, and applicable FAA/program cybersecurity requirements, memo, and guidance.
• 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 Master’s degree and 10 years’ experience or Associate’s degree and 14 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 engineering across the system 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, and high-availability systems.
• 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 cloud engineering.
• Experience in COTS integration into government environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting FAA operational systems.
• Experience with cybersecurity with cloud technologies
• Ability to communicate complex cybersecurity risks and recommendations to technical, program, and customer stakeholders.
• Experience with geographically distributed systems, site integration, deployment, and operational transition.
• Experience with Zero Trust principles and architecture.

#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.