Systems Security Engineer SME

Peraton; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking an experienced Systems Security professional to support the security, compliance, and operational readiness of mission-critical information systems. In this role, you will safeguard sensitive and classified data while ensuring systems remain secure and compliant with security requirements to support critical missions.

The ideal candidate has TS/SCI clearance, 20+ years of Systems Engineering experience on complex programs, and a technical bachelor’s degree.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
• 20 years of Systems Engineering experience on programs of comparable scope and complexity.
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline; five years additional Systems Engineering experience may substitute for degree.

Responsibilities

• Support planning, implementation, assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring of information system security.
• Serve as the Information Systems Security Approval Authority for systems under your control.
• Provide technical and compliance support for the organization’s Information Assurance program.
• Plan, coordinate, and enforce IT security programs across various systems and projects.
• Maintain the operational security posture for mission-critical information systems.
• Develop and enforce information system security policies, standards, and methodologies.
• Support day-to-day security operations, including system monitoring and incident response.
• Conduct vulnerability and risk assessments to support system certification and accreditation (C&A).
• Evaluate security solutions to ensure they meet requirements for handling classified data.
• Manage system configuration, changes, and security impact assessments.

Skills

Security clearance

Systems engineering

Compliance knowledge

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline

Job description

Basic Requirements:

• Active TS/SCI security clearance polygraph is required.
• Twenty (20) years of Systems Engineering experience on programs of comparable scope and complexity, with demonstrated expertise in planning and leading Systems Engineering efforts.
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline (Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, or a related discipline)
  • Five (5) years of additional relevantSystems Engineering experience may be substituted for a degree.

Position Overview

• We are seeking an experienced Systems Security professional to support the security, compliance, and operational readiness of mission-critical information systems.
• In this role, you will be responsible for safeguarding sensitive and classified systems and data while ensuring systems remain secure, compliant with applicable security requirements, and ready to support critical mission operations.

What You’ll Do

• Support the planning, implementation, assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring of information system security.

Responsibilities will include:

• Serve as the Information Systems Security Approval Authority for systems under your control.
• Provide technical and compliance support for the organization’s Information Assurance (IA) program.
• Plan, coordinate, and enforce IT security programs across various systems and projects.
• Maintain the operational security posture for mission-critical information systems.
• Develop and enforce information system security policies, standards, and methodologies.
• Support day-to-day security operations, including system monitoring and incident response.
• Conduct vulnerability and risk assessments to support system certification and accreditation (C&A).
• Evaluate security solutions to ensure they meet requirements for handling classified data.
• Manage system configuration, changes, and security impact assessments.

Security Documentation & Compliance

• You will be responsible for developing, maintaining, reviewing, and updating security documentation required to demonstrate system compliance and support authorization decisions.
• This may include:
  • System Security Plans (SSPs)
  • Risk Assessment Reports
  • Certification & Accreditation (C&A) packages
  • System Control Traceability Matrices (SCTMs

What You’ll Bring

• The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of information systems security, cybersecurity risk management, security compliance, and the requirements associated with securing mission‑critical and classified environments.
• You should be comfortable working across technical and programmatic teams and translating security requirements into practical solutions.