Information Systems Security Engineer

Parsons; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 88,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Life insurance

Flexible work schedules

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Parsons seeks a skilled ISSE / Cyber Systems Engineer to support DoD systems, focusing on vulnerability management, compliance, and secure operations.

You will partner with the ISSO to remediate findings, manage POA&M in Jira, and ensure RMF alignment with NIST SP 800-53 controls through scripting and hands-on engineering.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance and a relevant technical degree or equivalent work experience.
• Hands-on DoD/federal cybersecurity engineering experience.
• Baseline IAT Level II/III certification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead vulnerability management including ACAS/STIG/SCAP scans and remediation.
• Maintain compliance and patching across Windows/Linux environments.
• Perform annual manual STIG checks where auto-scans fail.
• Remediate POA&M items and track in Jira with ISSO guidance.
• Support RMF documentation under NIST SP 800-53 controls.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and translate findings into fixes.

Skills

ACAS Nessus

RMF NIST SP800-53

Jira

PowerShell

Python

Bash

DISA STIGs

Vulnerability management

Scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity / related field

Tools

ACAS

Nessus

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next! At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) / Cyber Systems Engineer to support our Department of Defense (DoD) system. In this role, you will be the primary technical engineer responsible for mitigating vulnerabilities, ensuring system compliance, and maintaining the security posture of our systems. You will work directly with the ISSO to remediate findings identified in ACAS Vulnerability and SCAP scans, manage Jira tickets tied to the Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), and ensure continuous compliance with the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) and NIST SP 800-53 controls. This is a hands‑on technical role requiring a strong background in vulnerability management, system patching, and scripting.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Vulnerability Management: Conduct monthly System Security Plan (SSP) ACAS Vulnerability Scans and quarterly ACAS Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) / SCAP Scans.
• System Maintenance & Patching: Perform monthly SSP patch version upgrades to ensure systems remain secure and compliant.
• Compliance & Auditing: Conduct annual manual STIG checks on system components that cannot be scanned automatically.
• POA&M Remediation: Act as the primary technical remediator for POA&M findings, executing remediation tasks tracked via Jira tickets generated by the ISSO.
• Incident & Alert Response: Assist the ISSO with investigating and responding to security alerts and logs.
• Documentation & Configuration Management: Maintain and update critical security documentation, including network/system diagrams, Hardware/Software (HW/SW) lists, and Ports, Protocols, and Services Management (PPSM) documentation.
• RMF Support: Assist the ISSO in drafting, updating, and maintaining NIST RMF documentation in accordance with NIST SP 800-53 guidelines.

What Required Skills You’ll Bring

• Active TS/SCI Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent years of relevant work experience).
• Minimum of 4+ years of hands‑on experience in cybersecurity engineering, systems administration, or a related technical role within a DoD or federal environment.
• Must hold an active baseline certification for Information Assurance Technical (IAT) Level II or Level III (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE, CASP+ CE, CISSP, or equivalent).
• Proven hands‑on experience using Assured Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS) / Tenable Nessus for vulnerability and compliance scanning.
• Strong technical background in applying and validating DISA STIGs across various operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux) and network devices.
• In‑depth knowledge of the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) and NIST SP 800‑53 security controls.
• Experience with patch management and system upgrades in a secure, air‑gapped, or highly regulated environment.
• Familiarity with tracking workflows and remediating technical tasks using Jira or similar ticketing systems.
• Ability to translate technical vulnerabilities into actionable remediation steps.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with the ISSO and other stakeholders.
• Advanced scripting skills (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Bash) to automate STIG application and compliance checks.

What Desired Skills You’ll Bring

• Advanced degree is preferred.
• Experience configuring and analyzing logs within OpenSearch, Elasticsearch, or similar SIEM/log analysis tools.
• Familiarity with DoD PPSM (Ports, Protocols, and Services Management) processes and registry requirements.
• Operating System/Computing Environment (CE) certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, Red Hat Certified System Administrator).
• Experience with developing network and rack diagrams in Visio.

Security Clearance Requirement

An active Top Secret SCI security clearance is required for this position.

This position is part of our Federal Solutions team. The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close‑knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation’s most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.

Salary Range

$88,400.00 - $154,700.00

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• paid time off
• 401(k)
• life insurance
• flexible work schedules
• holidays

This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will continue to be posted for an average of 30 days until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest.

To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.

Founded in 1944, Parsons Corporation, a digitally enabled solutions provider, is focused on creating the future of the defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets. From Earth to outer space, we deliver tomorrow’s solutions today. Equipped with the capabilities required to take on any defense, intelligence, or critical infrastructure challenge, our agile, innovative, and disruptive approach enables us to deliver solutions at the speed of relevance. Our people are our greatest asset. We strive to be an employer of choice that engages employees in the community and creates rewarding career paths to cultivate a resilient workforce that is ready for the future.

For more about Parsons, visit parsons.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.