Lead Digital Forensics Automation Expert

Peraton; Linthicum (MD); On-site; USD 135,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton seeks a Senior Digital Forensics Automation SME to streamline and modernize workflows for a federal government client. You will design scalable, automated processing pipelines across multiple evidence types, ensuring defensible methodologies and compliant SOPs for investigations and trials.

You will lead optimization efforts, mentor examiners, and coordinate with vendors to evaluate tools, aiming to reduce backlogs and improve examiner efficiency within accredited standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years with BS/BA; 10 years with MS/MA; 7 years with Ph.D. A degree in Computer Science, Digital Forensics, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, or a related field is highly desired. However, an additional four years of experience can be considered in lieu of a BS/BA degree.
• 5+ years of hands‑on digital forensics experience, including direct experience with ICAC, child exploitation, or similar law enforcement investigative workflows
• Demonstrated experience designing or improving forensic lab workflows and automation pipelines
• Proficiency with forensic processing automation platforms and digital media analysis tools
• Broad experience across industry‑standard forensic tools for computer, mobile, and cloud evidence acquisition and analysis
• Strong understanding of digital evidence handling, chain‑of‑custody requirements, and forensic best practices
• Experience developing SOPs, training materials, or process documentation in a forensic or law enforcement environment
• Secret clearance required at time of hire
• Required Active Certification (at least one): EnCE, CFCE, CCE, MCFE, or equivalent digital forensics certification

Responsibilities

• Analyze existing digital forensics workflows to identify bottlenecks, redundancies, and opportunities for automation
• Design, build, and maintain automated forensic processing workflows that enable parallel, unattended evidence processing across multiple evidence types and platforms
• Configure and optimize digital media analysis pipelines for large-scale investigations, including automated detection, hash matching, deduplication, and triage workflows
• Support ICAC task force operations by standardizing investigative workflows for mobile forensics, cloud acquisition, peer‑to‑peer network investigations, and digital media triage
• Develop, document, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for digital evidence handling, processing, triage, and reporting — aligned with DOJ guidelines, ICAC program requirements, and evidence admissibility standards
• Track and report on lab throughput, capacity utilization, and efficiency metrics; produce performance reports for program leadership
• Evaluate new forensic tools and automation platforms for compatibility with existing workflows; serve as the primary liaison with vendors for updates, feature requests, and technical support
• Develop and deliver training to forensic examiners and investigators on automated workflows, tool usage, and SOP adherence
• Mentor junior examiners on best practices for tool‑based workflows and process standardization
• Ensure all workflows meet lab accreditation requirements (e.g., ASCLD, ISO 17025) and support legal defensibility of forensic findings
• Support digital forensic criminal trials by preparing documentation of forensic methodologies, workflow processes, and findings suitable for court presentation; coordinate with legal teams and serve as a technical resource during proceedings

Skills

Digital forensics

Automation

SOP development

Security clearance

Education

BS/BA in Computer Science or related

MS/MA in Computer Science or related

Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Forensic analysis tools

Automation platforms

Job description

Peraton seeks a Senior Digital Forensics Automation SME to streamline and modernize workflows for a federal government client. You will design scalable, automated processing pipelines across multiple evidence types, ensuring defensible methodologies and compliant SOPs for investigations and trials.

You will lead optimization efforts, mentor examiners, and coordinate with vendors to evaluate tools, aiming to reduce backlogs and improve examiner efficiency within accredited standards.