Malware Analyst

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Job Description:

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Malware Analyst (Several Levels) to join our team! In this role, you will perform malware analysis and software reverse engineering to identify malicious behavior, extract indicators of compromise, and support cyber investigations.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Perform static and dynamic analysis of malware and potentially malicious files.
• Conduct software reverse engineering of malicious binaries to determine behavior, extract indicators of compromise, and identify potential attribution.
• Develop or maintain scripts and analytical utilities for malware triage, artifact extraction, timeline development, and repetitive examination tasks.
• Identify indicators of compromise, persistence mechanisms, lateral-movement activity, command-and-control activity, privilege escalation, credential abuse, and other adversary behaviors.
• Perform evidence identification, forensic image and extraction review, hashing, timestamp analysis, artifact interpretation, anti-forensic detection, and user-activity reconstruction.
• Maintain accurate chain-of-custody documentation and ensure evidence is handled, stored, transferred, and disposed of in accordance with laboratory procedures and security requirements.
• Prepare complete, technically accurate, and professionally formatted Malware Analysis Reports.
• Validate malware-analysis tools, document validation results, verify tool outputs, and develop or maintain approved scripts using version-control practices, as assigned.
• Participate in technical peer reviews of forensic reports and incorporate review comments.
• Support expert-witness preparation, affidavits, warrants, mock depositions, moot court sessions, and testimony when designated and qualified.
• Support quality-assurance activities, including SOP implementation, audit readiness, competency testing, and accreditation-related documentation.
• Support metrics collection and analysis involving case volume, backlog, throughput, cycle time, timeliness, workload, rework, error rates, and quality indicators.
• Provide technical input to training, mentorship, process-improvement, and lessons-learned activities.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Active Secret clearance; Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Digital Forensics, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, or a related field. Four years of hands-on digital-forensics, malware-analysis, or reverse-engineering experience may be substituted for the degree.
• Proven experience performing software reverse engineering using IDA Pro, Ghidra, or equivalent tools.

• Hands-on digital-forensics, malware-analysis, and reverse-engineering experience appropriate to the assigned level
• Malware Analyst 1: Minimum of two years
• Malware Analyst 2: Minimum of five years
• Malware Analyst 3: Minimum of eight years
• Malware Analyst 4: Minimum of 12 years.

• Experience performing static and dynamic malware analysis and interpreting malicious binary behavior.
• Ability to identify indicators of compromise, adversary behaviors, persistence mechanisms, lateral movement, command-and-control activity, privilege escalation, and credential abuse.
• Experience maintaining chain-of-custody documentation and handling evidence in accordance with laboratory procedures and security requirements.
• Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and professionally formatted Malware Analysis Reports.
• Strong analytical, investigative, technical, documentation, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with investigators, cybersecurity personnel, technical reviewers, government representatives, and multidisciplinary teams.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• At least one active certification, or an equivalent certification approved by the COR, including:
• GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware
• EC-Council Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst
• DC3 Cyber Training Academy Digital Forensic Examiner
• GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst
• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator

• Formal training dedicated to expert-witness testimony, rules of evidence, and courtroom procedure, such as DC3’s 40-hour Forensic Trial Training course, completed within the last three years when required for assigned duties.
• Experience analyzing Windows, Linux, macOS, mobile, embedded, or cloud-based malware.
• Experience using IDA Pro, Ghidra, Binary Ninja, debuggers, disassemblers, sandbox environments, or comparable reverse-engineering tools.
• Experience developing scripts and analytical utilities for malware triage, artifact extraction, timeline development, or automated analysis.
• Experience validating malware-analysis tools, verifying tool outputs, documenting validation results, and using version-control practices.
• Experience supporting peer review, expert-witness preparation, affidavits, warrants, depositions, moot court sessions, or courtroom testimony.
• Experience supporting quality-assurance programs, SOP implementation, accreditation activities, competency testing, audits, and laboratory metrics.
• Experience with malware families, anti-analysis techniques, obfuscation, packing, persistence, command-and-control protocols, and attribution analysis.

Security Clearance Requirement:

An active Secret security clearance is required for this position.​This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.Salary Range: $88,400.00 - $154,700.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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