Cybersecurity Engineer - SME

Responsibilities

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe and connected. We’re looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world’s most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

 

At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission — you’ll define it.

 

As a Cybersecurity Engineer - SME, you will provide cradle-to-grave cybersecurity engineering support for mission-critical systems—from requirements and design through integration, testing, deployment, authorization, operations, and sustainment. You will work across engineering disciplines to ensure cybersecurity requirements are effectively implemented, verified, and maintained throughout the system lifecycle.

 

Work Location:

• This position is 100% on-site, primarily located in Herndon, VA.

 

In this position, you will:

• Provide cybersecurity engineering across the full system lifecycle, including requirements, design, development, integration, test, deployment, operations, and sustainment.
• Develop, maintain, allocate, and trace cybersecurity requirements through system design, implementation, and verification.
• Develop and maintain System Security Plans (SSPs), RMF artifacts, security controls, POA&Ms, and authorization evidence.
• Apply NIST standards, RMF, and applicable FAA/program cybersecurity requirements, memo, and guidance.
• Conduct cybersecurity architecture/design reviews, vulnerability and risk assessments, security testing, and remediation verification.
• Assess cybersecurity impacts of software releases, hardware/network changes, interfaces, patches, and configuration changes.
• Support vulnerability management, continuous monitoring, security baselines, configuration/change control, and POA&M closure.
• Provide cybersecurity engineering during system/site integration, testing, acceptance, deployment, and transition to operations.
• Partner with systems, software, network, test, integration, and implementation teams to identify and resolve cybersecurity risks.
• Communicate cybersecurity risks, impacts, and recommended solutions to engineering teams, program leadership, and customers.

Why This Role Matters

Your work will directly impact national transportation safety and innovation helping develop and refine systems used by millions of travelers and aviation professionals every day. You’ll collaborate with top engineers, analysts, and FAA stakeholders to deliver solutions that meet the highest performance standards. 

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance
• Bachelor’s degree and 12 years’ experience or Master’s degree and 10 years’ experience or Associate’s degree and 14 years’ experience or HS diploma/equivalent and 16 years’ experience
• Cybersecurity engineering experience supporting complex government, aviation, defense, or other mission-critical systems.
• Demonstrated experience supporting cybersecurity engineering across the system lifecycle.
• Experience with RMF, SSP development, NIST SP 800-53, POA&Ms, security assessment, vulnerability management, and system authorization.
• Experience translating cybersecurity requirements into system architecture, design, implementation, and verification activities.
• Experience conducting cybersecurity architecture reviews, risk assessments, security testing, vulnerability analysis, and remediation.
• Experience supporting networked, distributed, and high-availability systems.
• Experience with Linux, Windows, network security, firewalls, routers, switches, virtualization, and enterprise infrastructure.
• Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD security, SAST/DAST, vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, or security automation.
• Experience with cloud engineering.
• Experience in COTS integration into government environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting FAA operational systems.
• Experience with cybersecurity with cloud technologies
• Ability to communicate complex cybersecurity risks and recommendations to technical, program, and customer stakeholders.
• Experience with geographically distributed systems, site integration, deployment, and operational transition.
• Experience with Zero Trust principles and architecture.

#BNATCS

Target Salary Range$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Benefits Statement

Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed athttps://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.

Application StatementsThe application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate’s own.