Junior Digital Forensic Analyst

Peraton; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a Junior Digital Forensic Analyst in Arlington, VA. This on-site role involves solving complex investigative challenges, conducting forensic examinations, and producing clear reports while collaborating with a mission-focused team. Key qualifications include a bachelor's degree and 1+ year of experience, proficiency in forensic tools, and the ability to communicate complex findings. The target salary range is $66,000 – $106,000, determined by various factors including experience and skills.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of relevant experience or 4 years without a degree.
• Ability to obtain a Top-Secret security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forensic examinations of digital data.
• Produce comprehensive reports explaining findings.
• Provide expert witness testimony in legal proceedings.

Skills

Proficiency with forensic software tools

Critical thinking

Report writing

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

GIAC: GCFE or GASF

IACIS: CFCE or ICMDE

Tools

Magnet Axiom

Cellebrite

Oxygen Forensics

Job description

Junior Digital Forensic Analyst

Location: Arlington, VA (On-site)

Responsibilities

Peraton is currently seeking to hire a Junior Digital Forensic Analyst to join our Federal Strategic Cyber program in the Cyber & Intelligence sector. The programs' Computer Investigations and Forensics Division (CIF) recovers and analyzes digital evidence in support of Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) criminal, cyber, and administrative investigations.

• Solve complex investigative challenges and ensure digital evidence meets Department of Justice court‑admissibility standards.
• Conduct forensic examinations of digital data from cellphones, tablets, computers, removable media, cloud sources, and other platforms.
• Apply recognized scientific practices to identify, analyze, interpret, and present digital evidence for criminal, civil, and administrative matters.
• Perform detailed, targeted examinations in line with investigative objectives, legal process, and search warrant limitations.
• Use industry‑standard forensic tools—such as Cellebrite (including Inseyets), Oxygen Forensic Detective, Magnet Forensics GrayKey and Axiom, Nuix, X‑Ways, and similar—for extraction and examination.
• Analyze data from various operating systems and applications, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, cloud services, and common backup formats.
• Produce clear, comprehensive reports that explain findings for investigators, prosecutors, and other stakeholders.
• Provide expert witness testimony, explaining examination procedures and technical findings to non‑technical audiences in federal, state, and local proceedings.
• Provide on‑site support during search warrant executions by identifying, collecting, packaging, documenting, and preserving digital evidence while maintaining strict chain of custody.
• Work closely with program leadership and peers to maintain forensically sound procedures and best practices for acquisition, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence.
• Conduct quality checks of artifacts to ensure accuracy, completeness, and clarity before customer delivery.
• Share lessons learned and emerging techniques with colleagues to enhance collective expertise.
• Stay current on developments in digital forensics, cybersecurity, forensic law, mobile devices and applications, social media platforms, and encryption/decryption methods.

Work Environment

• On‑site role based in Arlington, VA.
• Collaborative, mission‑focused team environment.
• Work may include support during time‑sensitive investigative activities.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 1+ year of relevant experience. An additional 4 years of relevant experience without a degree.
• One of the following certifications, with continued certification required as a condition of employment:
  • GIAC: GCFE or GASF
  • IACIS: CFCE or ICMDE
  • NCFI: BCERT or MDE
  • DoD: CDFE
  • OpenText: EnCE
  • Cellebrite: CCO+CCPA or CCME
  • Oxygen Forensics: OFC
  • Magnet Forensics: MCFE
  • X‑Ways: XPERT
• Demonstrated proficiency with mobile and non‑mobile forensic software tools such as Magnet Axiom, Cellebrite, and Oxygen, as well as advanced mobile extraction hardware and software.
• Working knowledge of Windows and macOS, Apple iOS, Android, and their associated backup technologies.
• Experience writing detailed, technically accurate reports that clearly communicate complex digital forensic findings to non‑technical audiences.
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking, creativity, sound judgment, and awareness to recognize when to seek leadership guidance.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and professionally with leadership, peers, forensic analysts, law enforcement, prosecutors, CIF customers, and other stakeholders at all levels to deliver high quality forensic products.
• Willingness and ability to travel for on‑scene evidence seizures, training, and/or testimony.
• Commitment to staying current on advancements in digital forensics, cybersecurity, forensic law, mobile technologies, social media, applications, and encryption.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain an interim Secret clearance before starting, and the ability to obtain and maintain a final Top‑Secret security clearance.

Compensation

Target Salary Range: $66,000 – $106,000. Compensation is determined by factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, skills and competencies, and geographic location. Employees may also be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO Statement

Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.