SENIOR CYBERSECURITY ENGINEER

Cardinal Engineering LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cardinal Engineering LLC, headquartered in Washington, supports U.S. Navy and other government programs with advanced cybersecurity and systems engineering for aircraft carrier platforms.

The Senior Cybersecurity Engineer will shape cybersecurity architecture, conduct risk assessments, and oversee RMF implementations across lifecycle stages. The role emphasizes collaboration with government and industry partners, developing technical documentation, and ensuring compliance with DoD and NIST

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Network Security, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics (with a concentration in CS), or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in cybersecurity engineering, systems engineering, software development, computer architecture, or network security.
• Experience supporting U.S. Navy or DoD acquisition programs, shipboard systems, or operational cybersecurity activities.
• Demonstrated experience in cybersecurity engineering, cyber defense, systems integration, and technical leadership.
• U.S. citizenship and a current Secret security clearance are required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with government organizations, engineering agents, technical authorities, program offices, shipyards, and fleet representatives to resolve cybersecurity issues affecting aircraft carrier systems.
• Review cybersecurity test plans, test reports, and validation documentation to ensure system functionality and compliance with security requirements.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including system architectures, network diagrams, interface specifications, and engineering analyses.
• Participate in engineering design reviews, technical interchange meetings, audits, and program milestone reviews.
• Provide systems engineering support for platform network integration, cybersecurity architecture, and secure communications.
• Develop cybersecurity requirements and engineering solutions in accordance with DoD, Navy, and NIST policies and standards.
• Support system security engineering activities, including requirements development, risk assessments, cybersecurity testing, and A&A.
• Provide technical leadership for RMF implementation throughout the lifecycle.
• Validate implementation of cybersecurity requirements for devices, subsystems, systems, enclaves, and platform architectures.
• Recommend system hardening strategies to improve cyber resilience and mission assurance.
• Support integration of cybersecurity requirements into ship design, modernization, and technology refresh.
• Assist with planning and fielding cybersecurity capabilities to protect shipboard systems, networks, and mission-critical functions.
• Remain current with emerging cybersecurity technologies and best practices.

Skills

Cybersecurity engineering

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Shipboard systems experience

DoD cybersecurity

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related technical discipline

Tools

RMF

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

Job description

Cardinal Engineering LLC provides world‑class marine engineering services to the U.S. Navy, industry partners, and other government agencies, supporting programs of national importance. Our core capabilities include structural engineering, survivability, power and energy systems, hydrodynamics, signal processing, digital engineering, systems and software development, and rapid prototyping.

Cardinal supports the full life cycle of U.S. Navy surface ships, aircraft carriers, submarines, and submersibles—from early research and requirements development through design, engineering, testing, construction, operation, maintenance, and modernization. The company also contributes to marine renewable energy initiatives for the U.S. Department of Energy, partnering with private industry, national laboratories, and government test facilities.

Our mission is to deliver objective, technically rigorous engineering solutions and trusted, independent assessments that enable informed decision‑making through innovative and cost‑effective application of advanced technologies.

Cardinal Engineering is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer to support the U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Engineering Team within the Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Maritime organization. This position supports the cybersecurity engineering, integration, and lifecycle management of mission‑critical aircraft carrier systems and networks. The successful candidate will apply expertise in systems engineering, cybersecurity, and network architecture to enhance the resilience, security, and operational effectiveness of U.S. Navy platforms.

This position is part of the Digital Networks and Cybersecurity Group within NAVSEA 05V and provides technical support across multiple Navy organizations responsible for aircraft carrier design, modernization, testing, and sustainment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with government organizations, engineering agents, technical authorities, program offices, shipyards, and fleet representatives to resolve technical cybersecurity issues affecting aircraft carrier systems.
• Review cybersecurity test plans, test reports, and validation documentation to ensure system functionality and compliance with applicable security requirements.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including system architectures, network diagrams, interface specifications, and engineering analyses.
• Participate in engineering design reviews, technical interchange meetings, audits, and program milestone reviews.
• Provide systems engineering support for platform network integration, cybersecurity architecture, and secure communications.
• Develop cybersecurity requirements and engineering solutions in accordance with applicable Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Navy, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity policies and standards.
• Support system security engineering activities, including requirements development, systems analysis, risk assessments, cybersecurity testing, and Assessment and Authorization (A&A).
• Provide technical leadership for implementation of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) throughout the system lifecycle.
• Validate implementation of cybersecurity requirements for devices, subsystems, systems, enclaves, and platform‑level architectures.
• Recommend system hardening strategies that improve cyber resilience, mission assurance, and operational survivability.
• Support the integration of cybersecurity requirements into ship design, modernization efforts, and technology refresh initiatives.
• Assist with planning and fielding cybersecurity capabilities that protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of shipboard systems, networks, and mission‑critical functions.
• Remain current with emerging cybersecurity technologies, threats, and industry best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Network Security, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics (with a concentration in Computer Science), or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in cybersecurity engineering, systems engineering, software development, computer architecture, or network security.
• Experience supporting U.S. Navy or Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition programs, shipboard systems, or operational cybersecurity activities.
• Demonstrated experience in cybersecurity engineering, cyber defense, systems integration, and technical leadership.
• U.S. citizenship and a current Secret security clearance are required.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have experience with one or more of the following:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification.
• Department of Defense cybersecurity workforce qualification requirements, including Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.239-7001 and the Navy Cyber Workforce (CWF) Program – Cyberspace Enablers model.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework.
• Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) survivability requirements.
• Department of Defense 8500-series cybersecurity policies.
• Cybersecurity Test and Evaluation (T&E).
• Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) enclave architecture and cybersecurity policies.

Work Location

This position is based at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., with a part‑time telework schedule. Occasional travel will be required to support meetings, engineering activities, and testing.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $150,000–$180,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Cardinal Engineering offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive 401(k) company contribution
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• Life insurance for employees and eligible dependents
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement

Cardinal Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer.