Mid-Level Security Engineer

Riva Solutions Inc; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

RIVA Solutions Inc. is seeking a Security Engineer to perform hands-on security analysis, vulnerability testing, and DevSecOps integration within the USPTO Kubernetes environment.

You will embed automated security gates into pipelines and ensure findings flow into remediation workflows. The role requires experience with GitLab CI/CD security, SAST/DAST, container scanning, and cloud-native security controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of cybersecurity experience, or master's with 3+ years.
• Hands-on with GitLab CI/CD security, SAST/DAST tooling, container image scanning, and IaC security.
• Experience with Kubernetes security controls, admission controllers, and RBAC.
• Familiarity with SIEM (XSIAM/QRadar) and ITSM remediation workflows for triage and POA&M.
• Knowledge of NIST SP 800-53, FedRAMP, and federal ATO processes; ability to produce structured evidence.
• Scripting/automation: Python or Bash, REST APIs, GitLab YAML, JSON parsing.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain security gates in the USPTO GitLab CI/CD factory, ensuring production-only pathways follow gates.
• Run Snyk Agent scans on AI artifact types within the CI/CD pipeline and triage results for remediation.
• Maintain Kubernetes security posture across the USPTO container estate and elevate findings through the remediation workflow.
• Correlate DSPM findings with Axonius and Tenable data to prioritize backlog remediation.
• Monitor XSIAM and QRadar telemetry, triage alerts, and contribute to the three-tier evidence chain.
• Perform security audits, risk analysis, and code reviews for DSPM and AI platforms including AWS Bedrock.
• Support ATO documentation, SSP maintenance, and compliance dashboards.

Skills

GitLab CI/CD security

SAST/DAST tooling

Kubernetes security

Security risk assessment

Python or Bash scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree with 5+ years or Master's with 3+ years in cybersecurity

Tools

GitLab

Wiz

Snyk

Axonius

Tenable

ServiceNow

Kubernetes

Job description

RESULTS. INNOVATION. VALUES. ACCOUNTABILITY.

That’s RIVA.

We’re a mission-driven IT services company and systems integrator supporting digital transformation and modernization for federal government agencies. Since 2009, we’ve partnered with our customers to solve complex challenges through smart, practical innovation to deliver real outcomes where they matter most. Our teams are made up of industry-leading experts who are passionate about doing great work and making a difference. We don’t just develop solutions, we support efforts that strengthen communities and serve the public good. RIVA’s culture is built on four core values: Results, Innovation, Values, and Accountability. They guide how we work, how we collaborate, and how we measure success. Our employee-first approach is rooted in trust, ownership, and meaningful work. By investing in our people and fostering a flexible, supportive environment, employees have the opportunity to grow their skills, contribute ideas, and make an impact from day one. all while supporting missions that matter.

POSITION OVERVIEW

This role performs hands-on security analysis, vulnerability testing, and DevSecOps integration work within the RIVA GitLab CI/CD software factory and the USPTO's approximately 4,000-container Kubernetes environment. The Security Engineer operates under the guidance of senior security personnel and is a primary contributor to the AI Artifact Security objective (SOO 4.1.3), embedding automated security gates into the pipeline and ensuring findings flow through the ServiceNow SMP remediation workflow.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate and maintain Wiz Code within the USPTO GitLab CI/CD software factory: configure container image scanning and infrastructure-as-code (IaC) template analysis gates, triage findings, and ensure no code reaches production on a contractor-only path—every enforcement change ships through USPTO's GitLab review gates
• Run Snyk Agent Scan on AI-native artifact types—Markdown prompt files, cursor rules, GitHub Copilot instruction files, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) configuration files—within the GitLab pipeline; triage scan results and route confirmed findings into the ServiceNow SMP remediation queue with appropriate severity tags
• Maintain and tune Kubernetes security posture across the USPTO container estate: configure admission controls, monitor runtime alerts from Wiz Defend, and elevate container-level findings through the defined remediation workflow
• Correlate DSPM findings with Axonius asset context and Tenable vulnerability data to prioritize remediation backlogs; maintain and update the risk-scored source inventory in coordination with the DSPM SME
• Monitor XSIAM and QRadar SIEM telemetry for security events correlated to DSPM findings; triage alerts, update the POA&M, and contribute structured findings to the three-tier evidence chain (operational, compliance, executive reporting)
• Perform security audits, risk analysis, application-level vulnerability testing, and security code reviews for the DSPM implementation and integrated AI platforms including AWS Bedrock and UGAP API service broker endpoints
• Support ATO (Authority to Operate) documentation, system security plan (SSP) maintenance, and FISMA reporting; contribute security evidence to the compliance reporting and dashboard package
• Participate in Agile sprint ceremonies; contribute to security user stories, acceptance criteria, and definition-of-done security checks within the two-week sprint cadence

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of relevant experience, or Master's degree and 3 years of relevant experience in cybersecurity, information assurance, or a related technical field
• Hands-on experience with GitLab CI/CD pipeline security, including SAST/DAST tooling, container image scanning, and IaC security analysis within a DevSecOps software factory
• Working knowledge of Kubernetes security: admission controllers, runtime scanning, container vulnerability management, and RBAC in a multi-cloud environment
• Familiarity with SIEM platforms (XSIAM, QRadar, or equivalent) and ITSM remediation workflows (ServiceNow or equivalent) for security finding triage and POA&M tracking
• Knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 security controls, FedRAMP requirements, and federal ATO processes; ability to produce structured security evidence for compliance reporting
• Scripting and automation skills for security engineering: Python or Bash, Git-based workflows, REST API interaction, GitLab CI YAML pipeline configuration, and the ability to parse and query JSON-formatted findings for triage and reporting

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience with Wiz (Code, Defend, or DSPM), Snyk Agent Scan, or Netskope CASB in a federal or FedRAMP-authorized environment
• Familiarity with Axonius asset management and Tenable vulnerability management as inputs to security risk scoring
• Experience securing AI serving infrastructure—AWS Bedrock, SageMaker, or API gateway brokering patterns—and understanding of AI artifact security risks (prompt injection, MCP configuration exposure)
• Additional certifications such as CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist), AWS Security Specialty, CEH, OSCP, or CompTIA Security+
• Prior federal civilian agency experience on a cybersecurity, data governance, or DevSecOps program
• Familiarity with policy-as-code and Kubernetes admission control tooling (OPA/Gatekeeper or Kyverno), secrets detection tooling, and SBOM/dependency analysis in CI pipelines

The salary or salary range for this role reflects an estimated range informed by multiple compensation factors. Final offers may vary based on considerations such as relevant experience, education and training, critical skillsets, and overall business needs.

Pay range

$135,000 - $150,000 USD

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY & ACCOMMODATION

We believe great teams are built from different backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences, and we mean that beyond the buzzwords.

RIVA is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of every race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need an accommodation at any point in our process, send an email to [e-mail], we'll be happy to help.

VETERAN SUPPORT & ACCESSIBILITY

As a federal contractor, RIVA follows the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, supporting the employment and advancement of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. If you're a veteran, we encourage you to self-identify during the application process, it helps us track our hiring commitments and, in some cases, may support priority referral for open roles.

RIVA also invites applicants to voluntarily self-identify as having a disability during the application process, not because it affects your chances of being hired, but because it helps us measure how well we're living up to our commitments and identify where we can do better. Your response is confidential and entirely optional.