Intermediate Cyber Operations Engineer

Socket.dev; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE in McLean, VA is seeking an Intermediate Cyber Operations Engineer to support cyber operations, digital investigations, and applied research initiatives. This role applies cybersecurity, software, and systems engineering skills to develop and assess mission-focused capabilities.

The successful candidate will work with experienced engineers and operators to build practical tools, perform technical analysis, and strengthen operational cyber solutions, with on-site work four days a week.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 3 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 1 year and a Master’s degree; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• No security clearance is required at the time of hire; must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance within one year of employment.
• Experience or coursework in cybersecurity, software engineering, systems engineering, networking, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience programming or scripting in Python, Go, C++, Java, Bash, or similar languages.
• Familiarity with Linux systems and command-line tools.
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, UDP, and common network protocols.
• Familiarity with information security principles and cybersecurity operations concepts.
• Ability to solve technical problems, communicate findings clearly, and work effectively in a collaborative engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and assessment of cyber capabilities supporting operational mission objectives.
• Assist with technical analysis of systems, networks, logs, packet captures, and other operational data sources.
• Apply information security principles to the development, configuration, testing, and hardening of systems and supporting infrastructure.
• Develop scripts, prototypes, tools, and workflows that improve cyber analysis, automation, or operational resiliency.
• Support digital forensic, network analysis, vulnerability research, or reverse engineering activities as needed for mission requirements.
• Research and evaluate cyber technologies, security techniques, and operational tradecraft for mission applicability.
• Collaborate with engineers, operators, and multidisciplinary technical teams to deliver mission-focused solutions.
• Prepare technical documentation, test results, assessments, and briefings for technical stakeholders.
• Learn new technologies, platforms, and security methodologies with guidance from senior technical staff.

Skills

Python

Go

C++

Java

Bash

Linux familiarity

Networking fundamentals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

Department Summary:

MITRE’s Offensive Operations & Effects department, part of the Cyber Operations & Effects Innovation Center, develops advanced cyber capabilities and mission-focused technology solutions supporting national security objectives. Our teams conduct applied research, operational analysis, prototype development, and technical experimentation across cyber operations, digital investigations, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, network analysis, and cyber-enabled mission support. We leverage emerging technologies and advanced analytics to deliver innovative capabilities for real-world operational environments.

MITRE is seeking an Intermediate Cyber Operations Engineer to support cyber operations, digital investigations, and applied research initiatives. This role applies cybersecurity, software, and systems engineering skills to develop and assess mission-focused capabilities. The successful candidate will work with experienced engineers and operators to build practical tools, perform technical analysis, and strengthen operational cyber solutions.

Roles & Responsibilities:

MITRE is seeking technical candidates with backgrounds in cybersecurity, computer science, software engineering, systems engineering, or related disciplines to join a research and development team focused on cyber operations, cyber resiliency, and mission capabilities.

The candidate should have familiarity with one or more of the following disciplines: network security, digital forensics, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, network packet capture and analysis, systems administration, automation, or cyber analytics. Candidates should be interested in applying sound engineering and security practices to operational cyber challenges.

In this role, you will:

• Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and assessment of cyber capabilities supporting operational mission objectives.
• Assist with technical analysis of systems, networks, logs, packet captures, and other operational data sources.
• Apply information security principles to the development, configuration, testing, and hardening of systems and supporting infrastructure.
• Develop scripts, prototypes, tools, and workflows that improve cyber analysis, automation, or operational resiliency.
• Support digital forensic, network analysis, vulnerability research, or reverse engineering activities as needed for mission requirements.
• Research and evaluate cyber technologies, security techniques, and operational tradecraft for mission applicability.
• Collaborate with engineers, operators, and multidisciplinary technical teams to deliver mission-focused solutions.
• Prepare technical documentation, test results, assessments, and briefings for technical stakeholders.
• Learn new technologies, platforms, and security methodologies with guidance from senior technical staff.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 3 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 1 year and a Master’s degree; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• No security clearance is required at the time of hire; must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance within one year of employment.
• Experience or coursework in cybersecurity, software engineering, systems engineering, networking, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience programming or scripting in Python, Go, C++, Java, Bash, or similar languages.
• Familiarity with Linux systems and command-line tools.
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, UDP, and common network protocols.
• Familiarity with information security principles and cybersecurity operations concepts.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following areas:
  • Network security and traffic analysis
  • Digital forensics
  • System hardening and vulnerability assessment
  • Reverse engineering or malware analysis
  • Cyber analytics or security automation
• Ability to solve technical problems, communicate findings clearly, and work effectively in a collaborative engineering environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with cloud, containerized, or virtualized environments such as Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, or Azure.
• Experience developing automation, scripting, or operational tooling for cybersecurity analysis.
• Experience with digital forensics, network forensics, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, or incident response.
• Familiarity with secure software development, DevSecOps, CI/CD, or infrastructure automation practices.
• Experience with applied research, rapid prototyping, capture-the-flag competitions, internships, or technical projects.
• Familiarity with Cyber AI Convergence concepts or the application of AI-enabled tools to cybersecurity workflows.
• Experience producing technical documentation, reports, or presentations for technical audiences.
• Interest in operational cyber mission environments and mission-focused engineering practices.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$103,600 - $129,500 - $155,400 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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