Systems Engineering, SME

Peraton; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cybersecurity firm is seeking a System Engineering SME to support critical national security objectives. The role involves designing and evaluating complex systems, generating requirements, and ensuring compliance with government standards. The ideal candidate will bridge advanced AI capabilities with real-world cyber operations, enhancing threat detection and response strategies. Qualified individuals should have extensive experience in cybersecurity, including incident response and threat hunting. U.S. Citizenship and TS SCI clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 16 years in relevant fields with BS/BA; Minimum of 14 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 10 years with Ph.D.
• Expert-level knowledge of defensive cyber operations and network protocols.
• TS SCI clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and evaluate end-to-end systems throughout their lifecycle.
• Generate quantifiable requirements based on customer needs and government standards.
• Translate product development strategies into system requirement specifications.
• Participate in test planning and ensure compliance with contractual requirements.

Skills

Defensive cyber operations

Threat hunting

Incident response

Network security tools

TCP/IP

Zero trust architecture

AI tools deployment

Python scripting

Education

BS/BA in Computer Science or related field

MS/MA or Ph.D.

Job description

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’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 system-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.