Systems Engineering, SME

Peraton; United States; On-site; USD 146,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is recruiting a System Engineering SME to support FAA cyber mission operations, bridging advanced AI with real-world cyber activities. You will design and validate end-to-end systems, translate strategy into concrete requirements, and review tests to ensure compliance with government standards.

A strong background in defensive cyber operations, certifications, and a TS/SCI clearance are required. This role emphasizes collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams, development of

Qualifications

• Experience with defensive cyber operations including threat hunting, SIEM, and incident response
• Familiarity with cyber weapon systems and network exploitation techniques
• Expert-level knowledge of TCP/IP, network protocols, and enterprise architectures
• One or more certifications: CISSP, CEH, GPEN, GCIH, OSCP, DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II or IAM Level III compliance
• TS SCI clearance and U.S. Citizenship

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, evaluates, and modifies end-to-end systems through their life cycle
• Generates quantifiable requirements based on client description, system planning and design, and acquisition logistics
• Translates high level product development strategies into system requirement specifications across multidisciplinary teams
• Establishes standards, practices, and procedures for product development and interfaces
• Assesses performance using evaluation criteria and TP measures; supports business development
• Translates strategies into system requirements and collaborates with multi-discipline teams
• Participates in design reviews of components to ensure traceability and verification
• Reviews test plans and procedures to meet contractual objectives and supports testing

Skills

Defensive cyber operations

Threat hunting

SIEM

Incident response

Zero trust

Vulnerability assessment

Penetration testing

Agentic AI systems

AI tools deployment

Python scripting

Agile

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Cybersecurity / IT / Computer Engineering or related

Master's degree

Ph.D.

Tools

Firewalls

IDS/IPS

Packet capture

Traffic analysis tools

Python

Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton's Cyber Mission supports the Federal Aviation Administration by delivering mission-critical Cyber professionals who defend our nation's security. Our team of experts provides innovative engineering, logistics, sustainment, and customer support to ensure the functionality of network infrastructure, while addressing the most complex cyber operations and national defense challenges.

Peraton is seeking a System Engineering SME to support our mission to defend and protect our national security.

• Using a holistic approach, designs, develops, evaluates, and modifies end-to-end systems and systems-oriented products through their entire life cycle.
• Generates quantifiable requirements based on customer description, system planning and design, and acquisition logistics. Ensures requirements comply with client requirements and government standards through formal verification methods.
• Translates high level product development strategies into system requirement specifications and works with other engineering disciplines to develop lower-level detailed implementation requirements.
• Establishes and coordinates development of standards, practices, and procedures as related to the overall product development. Designs interfaces and brings system elements together, so they work as a whole.
• Assesses performance using evaluation criteria and technical performance measures. Customer liaison and support for business development activities and to understand and shape requirements. Participates in system conceptual design and documentation of the design concepts.
• Translates high level product development strategies into system requirement specifications and works with multi-discipline engineering teams to develop lower-level detailed requirements.
• Participates in design reviews of components (hardware and software) to ensure applicability to the current system and traceability of requirements through compliance verification and validation. Generates system level requirements verification procedures and customer acceptance test procedures.
• Reviews test plans/procedures and ensures they meet the objectives of the contractual requirements and participates in the testing process to validate requirements.

The successful candidate will serve as a technical advisor and operational SME, bridging advanced AI capabilities with real-world cyber operations to accelerate decision cycles, enhance threat detection, and support offensive cyber planning and execution.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 16 years with BS/BA in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or related field; Minimum of 14 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 10 years with Ph.D.
• Experience with defensive cyber operations including threat hunting, SIEM, and incident response
• Familiarity with cyber weapon systems and network exploitation techniques
• Expert-level knowledge of TCP/IP, network protocols, and enterprise architectures
• Experience with network security tools (firewalls, IDS/IPS, packet capture, traffic analysis
• Knowledge of zero trust architecture principles and implementation
• Experience with network vulnerability assessment and penetration testing
• Hands-on experience with agentic AI systems and multi-agent orchestration
• Experience deploying AI tools in classified or operational environments
• One or more certifications: CISSP, CEH, GPEN, GCIH, OSCP, DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II or IAM Level III compliance
• TS SCI clearance
• U.S Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to FAA programs or NAS systems
• Familiarity with air traffic, aviation, federal modernization efforts, or mission-critical systems testing
• Proficiency in Python, scripting, and automation for cyber operations
• Background in cybersecurity testing and integration with resilience requirements
• Demonstrated success working in agile environments with cross-functional teams
• Background in AI/ML-driven DevSecOps practices or intelligent automation for compliance

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$146,000 - $234,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

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