Cyber Security Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our IC, DoD, and civilian customers.

Aerospace's Cyber Security and Advanced Platforms Subdivision, Cyber Assessments and Research Department is seeking an Sr. Member of the technical staff or Engineering Specialist to help design, implement, assess and deploy cyber solutions that defend our nation's most valuable assets in space. We are seeking a highly motivated cyber security engineer with a desire to support customers across a full spectrum cyber security activities.

Work Model

This is a fulltime position based in Chantilly, Va offering a hybrid work model that combines  3-4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Perform research in the areas of cyber and network security
• Contribute to the development of security prototypes
• Review network architecture designs identify security, dataflow, performance deficiencies
• Identify security vulnerabilities in various SW and HW platforms and be able to make recommended mitigations
• Participate in projects involving one or more of the following areas: Vulnerability Assessment, Cyber Security Architecture, Cyber Security Prototype/Capability Development, cyber system trade-off studies for various system designs or protocols, validation of network system requirements.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Sr Member of the Technical Staff

• Bachelors degree in STEM and/or disciplines in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or similar technical area of study 
• 4 to 5 years of professional experience in cyber security , software development or other related fields
• Demonstrable proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python, C, C++, Java, Go or Rust
• Proficient in Linux and Unix based operating systems 
• Knowledge and/or experience of both offensive and defensive cyber security tools, tactics, techniques and procedures 
• Knowledge and/or experience performing vulnerability assessment and mitigation  
• Network engineering and architecture knowledge (TCP/IP, IPSEC, HTTP/S, routing protocols) 
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically approx. 10% of the time    
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Engineering Specialist include:

• 6 to 8 years of professional experience in cyber security 
• Excellent communication skills; experience developing and delivering briefings for both technical and non-technical audiences 
• Demonstrable history of project leadership in cyber assessments, prototype development and/or cyber research 
• Experience with project management tools like JIRA or MS Project
• Some working knowledge of encryption, and authentication.
• Some understanding hashing and encryption algorithms

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Advanced technical degree
• Experience with space systems, including familiarity with space, ground and user segments, as well as legacy software
• Experience with configuring routers, switches and/or firewalls
• Experience with cloud technologies such as AWS and Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker and related security 
• Experience with Agile methodology and team collaboration tools
• Familiarity with ICS/SCADA systems

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.