S

Sabre Systems

Defense-focused software, engineering, and cyber solutions

Journeyman System Security Engineer - System Security Engineering

Full-TimeDeadline 7/8/27
$130k - $145k+ Employee referral bonus
Senior
Bachelor's
Patuxent River, MD, USA
HybridIn-person work at the PMA-268 Program Office is required every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; additional office days may be required.
CybersecuritySecurity Engineering & Architecture
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • A technical or scientific Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited college or university is required.
  • An active Department of Defense Secret clearance or higher is required.
  • U.S. citizenship is required.
  • A minimum of seven years of cyber-related experience in a Department of Defense environment is highly desired, not required.
  • Program office experience is highly desired, not required.
  • Aviation engineering experience is highly desired, not required.
Responsibilities
  • Provide support to PMA-268 Cyber Leads in executing the PMA-268 Cybersecurity Program, including drafting and reviewing program documentation, policies, and plans, and coordinating changes that may affect system security posture, cybersecurity authorizations, or certifications.
  • Lead product-specific System Security Engineering activities for systems within the IPT scope and provide oversight of IPT cybersecurity activities.
  • Review system documentation to maintain subject matter expert knowledge of system architecture, functionality, and capabilities.
  • Work with the IPT Class Desk and IPT Leadership to ensure early engagement on cybersecurity items that may affect program cost, schedule, or performance.
  • Develop and maintain a cyber schedule, including a detailed Work Breakdown Schedule for significant efforts.
  • Provide input for Statements of Work, Data Item Descriptions, and Contract Data Requirements Lists for IPT contract activities.
  • Identify, define, and document system security requirements for product specifications; derive and trace cyber requirements; track implementation and performance of security measures; conduct critical function analysis; and identify Mission Essential Functions.
  • Lead Critical Program Information assessments.
  • Assess vulnerabilities and attack vectors that may affect the cybersecurity posture of systems or environments.
  • Identify and recommend security solutions to PMA-268 Cyber Leads.
  • Perform System Security Engineering duties for Cyber Survivability Risk Assessments and CYBERSAFE, including leading collaborative development of artifacts and data such as Objective Quality Evidence and Mission Critical Function/Component Traceability.
  • Lead Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement implementation efforts by defining enclaves and enclave boundary protection requirements.
  • Lead system security certification and registration activities, including Commercial Solutions for Classified, Cross Domain Solutions, and Cryptographic Modules.
  • Initiate, communicate, and coordinate with stakeholders and subject matter experts on actions and requests for information for IPT cybersecurity activities, ensuring actions and requests do not remain stagnant for longer than two weeks.
  • Lead the IPT System Security Engineering Working Group, coordinate with contractors and organizations supporting IPT cybersecurity efforts, maintain awareness of system and subsystem authorization, review IPT cybersecurity Contract Data Requirements Lists, participate in change management to protect cybersecurity posture, and coordinate cybersecurity, program, and product risk management activities and mitigations.
  • Assist the IPT Information System Security Officer by defining information types with engineering teams, identifying initial confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact levels and obtaining Class Desk concurrence, reviewing Plans of Action and Milestones for open findings and concerns, assisting with mitigations, and reviewing hardware and software lists for potential issues such as open-source or foreign software.
  • Log in to Microsoft Teams at the beginning of each workday and have a headset available for Teams meetings.
  • Work in person at the PMA-268 Program Office at least Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday unless alternate arrangements are coordinated with PMA-268 Cyber Leads; work additional in-office days when required for in-person tasks. Maintain core office hours from 08:30 to 14:30.
  • Provide weekly updates to the Cyber Status Slide, Microsoft Planner task status, and task tracker, and provide biweekly updates to the cyber schedule.
  • Provide meeting summary notes to the PMA-268 cyber team for meetings attended.
Desired Qualifications
  • A minimum of seven years of cyber-related experience in a Department of Defense environment.
  • Program office experience.
  • Aviation engineering experience.

About the company

Sabre Systems provides technology services to U.S. government and commercial clients, with a focus on software engineering, C4ISR, and cyber solutions for DoD agencies like the Navy and Air Force. Its offerings are delivered through contracted programs that combine software development, systems engineering, and acquisition management to support complex defense missions. The company differentiates itself by performing large, mission-critical work with the agility of a small firm and deep technical expertise, as seen in major contracts such as a NAVAIR award, and by its ability to tailor programs to defense needs. Its goal is to sustain its defense legacy while expanding capabilities and growth in federal services under new ownership (CM Equity Partners) and leadership (President James Norris).

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$1.1M

Headquarters

Pennsylvania

Founded

1989

Get referred to Sabre Systems

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The $499M NAWCAD award extends task-order work through April 2030.
  • Sabre's 2026 Top Workplace recognition supports hiring and retention in Virginia and Pennsylvania.
  • Johnny Wolfe's board appointment strengthens access to Strategic Systems Programs and hypersonic programs.

What critics are saying

  • NAWCAD concentration ties Sabre's growth to one Navy customer through 2030.
  • Private-equity ownership pushes margin pressure, integration risk, and leadership churn after 2024.
  • A failed recompete or contract protest at NAWCAD would crush revenue quickly.

What makes Sabre Systems unique

  • Sabre won NAWCAD's $499M systems engineering IDIQ in October 2025.
  • Its 2026 board added retired Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe, deepening Navy credibility.
  • CM Equity Partners bought Sabre in September 2024, bringing federal-services capital.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

2%

2 year growth

2%
CME Equity
Aug 3rd, 2026
Vice Admiral (Ret.) Johnny Wolfe joins Sabre Systems, LLC Board of Directors.

Vice Admiral (Ret.) Johnny Wolfe joins Sabre Systems, LLC Board of Directors. Sabre Systems, LLC NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jessica Beans Marketing and Communications 619-768-3219 Lexington Park, MD - Aug 1, 2026 - Sabre Systems, LLC, a leading provider of technology, engineering, and mission support services to the Department of War and federal civilian agencies for more than 37 years, is pleased to welcome Vice Admiral (USN, Ret.) Johnny Wolfe to the Sabre Board of Directors. VADM Wolfe spent 38 years in the United States Navy and retired as the Director, Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). As the SSP Director, VADM Wolfe was responsible for all aspects of the Navy's Strategic Weapon System, to include design, development, production, operational support, safety and security. He was also accountable for overall program technical and cost performance and the Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic capability. "We are pleased to welcome VADM Johnny Wolfe to Sabre's Board of Directors," said Dr. William (Bill) Vantine, Chairman of the Board. "His unique experiences and insights will be invaluable and will greatly complement our board." "We look forward to the tremendous value VADM Wolfe will bring as a strategic advisor," said John Quigley, Sabre President and CEO. "These are exciting times for Sabre as we advance our strategic priorities and accelerate long-term growth while delivering mission critical capabilities to the warfighter and VADM Wolfe will be a welcome addition to our board." VADM Wolfe is a 1988 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He also holds a Master of Science in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School, where he was selected to transfer to the Engineering Duty Officer community. Over his career with SSP, VADM Wolfe held a variety of leadership roles across both operational and technical organizations, advancing through progressively senior positions including Technical Director and Deputy Direct Reporting Program Manager. Promoted to Rear Admiral in 2014, he served as Program Executive for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense at the Missile Defense Agency. Following his promotion to Vice Admiral in 2018, he served as Director of Strategic Systems Programs. VADM Wolfe's awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star, among other service awards. About Sabre Systems, LLC Sabre Systems, LLC (www.sabresystems.com) is a technology solutions company delivering services in systems and software engineering, digital engineering, cybersecurity, and advanced communications to U.S. government and commercial clients. Headquartered in Lexington Park, MD, Sabre is dedicated to supporting its customers' most critical missions with integrity, innovation, and excellence.

Washington Technology
Oct 6th, 2025
Sabre Systems hires Quigley as CEO

Sabre Systems hires Quigley as CEO.

Business Wire
Oct 8th, 2024
DLA Piper Advises CM Equity Partners in Its Acquisition of Sabre Systems, Inc.

DLA Piper advised CM Equity Partners, a private equity firm that invests in aerospace and defense and federal services companies, in its acquisition o

Defense Daily
Oct 7th, 2024
Private Equity Firm Buys Sabre Systems

A private equity firm has acquired Sabre Systems. For more information, including starting a free trial, pricing, reprints, or posting an article link, contact [email protected] or call 888-707-5814 during business hours. Access to the full content requires a Defense Daily subscription or registration.

ExecutiveBiz
Sep 23rd, 2024
Sabre Systems Appoints James Norris as President

Sabre Systems appoints James Norris as president.