C

Charles River Associates

Global litigation, regulatory, and financial consulting

Cyber & Forensic Technology Consulting Analyst/Associate

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$92.5k - $100k/yr+ Bonus incentive compensation
Entry
Bachelor's, Master's
Boston, MA, USA+4 moreMore locations: Washington, DC, USA | Dallas, TX, USA | Chicago, IL, USA | New York, NY, USA
Hybrid
CybersecuritySecurity Operations & Incident Response

About the job

Requirements
  • Candidates must be graduating from a bachelor's or master's degree program; applicants graduating from an MBA or PhD program should apply to other open roles.
  • Strong understanding of computer operating systems, software, and hardware.
  • Ability to conduct detailed forensic investigations and analyses of computers, networks, mobile devices, and removable media.
  • Experience conducting digital forensic analyses using commercial and open-source forensic tools, including file system forensics, memory analysis, and network analysis.
  • Experience conducting static and dynamic malware analyses in a lab environment and threat hunting in a live environment.
  • Strong understanding of proper evidence-handling procedures and chain of custody.
  • Experience drafting technical and investigative reports and communicating technical findings.
  • High-level familiarity with legal concepts related to intellectual property.
  • Experience utilizing automation tools and scripts to expedite analyses.
  • Understanding of incident-handling procedures, including preparation, identification, containment, eradication, and recovery to protect enterprise environments.
  • Understanding of common attack techniques used by an adversary on a victim network and how to leverage those techniques to stop further adversary activity.
  • Effective written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrated initiative and leadership.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
  • Teamwork and collaboration capabilities.
  • Time management and task prioritization skills.
  • Demonstrated interest in consulting through coursework, work experience, activities, or attendance at CRA recruiting events.
Responsibilities
  • Assist with security and privacy investigations in response to data security matters, which may include ongoing breaches and fraud.
  • Conduct problem solving and forensic analysis of digital information using standard computer-forensic and evidence-handling techniques and tools.
  • Apply investigative techniques, scientific reasoning, and digital-forensic techniques against various systems to answer questions.
  • Identify, research, and organize information to determine what a hacker did to a compromised system, whether data was stolen from a company asset, or what data to assess and provide in litigation.
  • Defensibly collect digital evidence and complete chain-of-custody documentation.
  • Leverage programming, model-building, and database-administration skills, including Python, T-SQL, VBA, Excel, C#, and/or other programming languages and tools.
  • Communicate investigative and analytical findings to team members, clients, and other professionals, and assist with drafting written reports summarizing procedures performed and findings.
  • Work with business stakeholders and experts to develop tools supporting the evolving forensic landscape.
  • Stay current with developments in digital forensics, software tools, e-discovery, and incident response.
Desired Qualifications
  • Digital-forensics or incident-response training and/or certifications are preferred but not required, including SANS GIAC (GCIA, GCFA, GCFE, GNFA, GCCC, and/or GREM), IACIS (CFCE or CIFR), and/or Guidance Software (EnCE).

About the company

C

Charles River Associates

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Charles River Associates (CRA) is a global consulting firm that specializes in litigation, regulatory, financial, and management consulting. It provides economic and financial analysis to support litigation and regulatory proceedings, helping clients make informed choices in strategy and operations. Services include expert economic testimony, financial advisory, and custom consulting for corporations, law firms, and government agencies. CRA distinguishes itself through deep functional expertise and industry knowledge applied to complex problems, supported by offices around the world. The firm’s goal is to deliver objective, high-value analysis and advice that helps clients navigate legal, regulatory, and business challenges and improve decision-making and outcomes.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

City of Brussels, Belgium

Founded

1978

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue hit $210.8 million, with 12.8% year-over-year growth.
  • CRA raised fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to $805 million-$820 million after record demand.
  • A new $400 million credit facility funds hiring, working capital, and growth investments.

What critics are saying

  • Fiscal 2026 cash from operations turned negative, while net debt reached $197.6 million.
  • Management expects $15 million more forgivable-loan amortization, squeezing margins through 2026.
  • AI tools and intense competition commoditize economic analysis, threatening premium expert-testimony pricing by 2027.

What makes Charles River Associates unique

  • CRA recruits Harvard and Yale economists into antitrust work, deepening expert-testimony credibility.
  • Its antitrust practice spans pricing, merger reviews, digital markets, and China competition matters.
  • Eight practices generated growth in Q2 2026, showing diversified specialist demand.

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Benefits

  • Wellness Program
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Remote Work Options
  • Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

5%

1 year growth

6%

2 year growth

6%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 6th, 2026
Charles River Associates appoints Christopher Zealey as VP to expand life sciences practice

Charles River Associates (NASDAQ: CRAI) has appointed Christopher Zealey as Vice President in its Life Sciences Practice. Zealey brings expertise in cross-functional and medical strategic planning, insight generation, scientific communication strategy, and clinical positioning. Before joining CRA, Zealey was a partner at a life sciences and pharmaceutical consulting firm, where he led client engagements across strategic planning, insight generation, and medical intelligence to support product launches. His experience includes leveraging data and stakeholder perspectives to inform strategy. CRA's Life Sciences Practice works with biotech, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies, as well as law firms and regulatory agencies. The firm has been expanding its capabilities to help clients navigate complex medical affairs and launch decisions. Zealey holds an MSc in Biotechnology from McGill University and a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Waterloo.

Citybiz
Oct 1st, 2026
Charles River Associates adds Harvard professor Feng Zhu to antitrust practice.

Charles River Associates adds Harvard professor Feng Zhu to antitrust practice. October 1, 2026 Charles River Associates has added Harvard Business School professor Feng Zhu as an academic affiliate in its Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice, strengthening the consulting firm's expertise in digital markets, technology competition and regulatory economics. Zhu joins CRA while continuing his academic work at Harvard Business School, where he is the Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration. His research focuses on digital transformation, competitive strategy, business model innovation and the ways technology companies respond to changing competitive and regulatory conditions. The appointment expands CRA's capabilities as competition authorities, companies and courts increasingly confront questions involving digital platforms, artificial intelligence, software ecosystems and other technology-driven markets. Zhu's work examining the strategic behavior of large technology companies gives the firm additional academic expertise for matters where business models and market structure are closely tied to technology. "His research examines how technology-driven firms compete, evolve, and respond to regulatory dynamics," CRA President and CEO Paul Maleh said. At Harvard, Zhu leads the Platform Lab within the university's AI Institute and co-chairs the Analytics Program. He has written more than 80 articles, cases and research notes across academic and practitioner publications. His work combines academic research with direct exposure to the strategic issues facing major technology businesses. Zhu has advised business leaders at companies including Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft and Uber, according to CRA. That experience is particularly relevant to competition matters involving platform economics, where regulators and companies may need to evaluate issues such as network effects, market entry, business model changes and the competitive consequences of decisions made by large digital businesses. "Feng's recent work has focused on the strategic behavior of large technology companies and the broader economic and competitive implications of digital markets, which is of particular interest for many of our clients," said Margaret Sanderson, vice president and global practice leader of CRA's Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice. Zhu also has experience with antitrust and competition matters in China, adding expertise to CRA's China Competition Practice as the firm advises clients across multiple regulatory jurisdictions. CRA's competition economists provide economic analysis and expert testimony in antitrust and competition matters globally. The practice works across industries including technology, healthcare, energy, telecommunications, aerospace and defense, pharmaceuticals, financial services, transportation, retail and consumer products. The addition of Zhu gives the practice another resource for cases where traditional competition economics intersects with rapidly changing technology and operating models. Digital businesses can present different competitive dynamics from conventional industries because software platforms can connect multiple groups of users, scale rapidly and evolve their products and pricing models as markets develop. Zhu holds a Ph.D. in Science, Technology, and Management and a master's degree in Computer Science from Harvard University. He earned his bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics from Williams College. Boston-based Charles River Associates provides economic, financial and management consulting services, including support for litigation and regulatory proceedings as well as corporate strategy and performance matters. Founded in 1965, the firm operates offices globally. Zhu's appointment adds academic and technology-market expertise to CRA's antitrust practice as clients navigate increasingly complex questions involving digital competition, AI, platform businesses and regulatory scrutiny across international markets.

Associated Press
Oct 1st, 2026
CRA adds Harvard Business School professor to antitrust practice

Charles River Associates has appointed Harvard Business School Professor Feng Zhu as an Academic Affiliate in its Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice. Zhu is the Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, where he leads the Platform Lab within the AI Institute and co-chairs the Analytics Programme. His research focuses on digital transformation, competitive strategy, and the strategic behaviour of large technology companies. Zhu has advised global business leaders at firms including Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Uber. Margaret Sanderson, Global Practice Leader of the Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice at CRA, said Zhu's expertise combines academic research with technology business knowledge. He also brings experience in antitrust and competition matters in China.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 15th, 2026
CRA International beats Q2 estimates with $210.8M revenue, driven by double-digit growth in forensic services and AI complexity

CRA International reported second-quarter revenue of $210.8 million and adjusted earnings per share of $2.16, both exceeding analyst expectations. The consulting firm saw 12.8% year-on-year revenue growth driven by double-digit expansion across Energy, Life Sciences, and Forensic Services practices. CEO Paul Maleh noted that eight practices, representing 95% of total revenue, grew year-on-year. Both North American and international operations contributed to the performance. During the earnings call, analysts questioned the sustainability of growth in management consulting and the potential impact of Department of Justice changes to merger reviews. Maleh highlighted historically high conversion rates in Life Sciences and Energy, whilst acknowledging challenges in forecasting from "unprecedented performance peaks". The company's market capitalisation stands at $1.06 billion.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 12th, 2026
CRA International raises revenue outlook but margin pressures and $198M net debt weigh on valuation premium

CRA International reported 12.8% year-over-year revenue growth in Q2, reaching $210.8 million, with management consulting revenues up 25.5%. The firm raised its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to $805-820 million from $785-805 million, supported by growth across eight practices representing 95% of revenues. However, profitability pressures persist. Cost of services rose to 71.3% of first-half revenues from 67.5% last year, whilst non-GAAP EBITDA margin declined to 12.1% from 13%. Management expects non-cash forgivable-loan amortisation to increase by roughly $15 million in fiscal 2026. First-half operating activities consumed $118.3 million in cash, up from $74.1 million previously. CRAI ended Q2 with $21.4 million cash and $197.6 million net debt. The stock trades at 18.7 times forward earnings, above the consulting sub-industry's 14.6 times multiple.