Job Description

Tensley Consulting is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to support cybersecurity assessments of large-scale Department of Defense systems. This role requires a strong systems engineering background, technical leadership experience, and the ability to evaluate complex systems from both offensive and defensive cybersecurity perspectives.

The selected candidate will lead technical activities, oversee other senior systems engineers, and work closely with customers to gather the information and documentation needed to conduct comprehensive vulnerability, resiliency, and security assessments.

Responsibilities

• Perform cybersecurity assessments of large-scale Department of Defense systems.
• Apply an Offensive Cyber Operations mindset when conducting Defensive Cyber Operations activities.
• Conduct long-term, in-depth vulnerability assessments using systems engineering principles and all available technical information, including:
• System architecture diagrams
• Build specifications
• Design documentation
• System requirements
• Technical architecture documentation
• Perform independent verification and validation of system security requirements and capabilities.
• Incorporate systems resiliency, security engineering, and cybersecurity concepts into acquisition documentation, including Performance Work Statements.
• Conduct technical evaluations of contractor proposals for cybersecurity, systems resiliency, and security engineering considerations.
• Provide technical leadership and direction to senior systems engineers supporting the effort.
• Ensure team members are effectively utilized and assigned work that aligns with their technical strengths.
• Encourage team members to exceed technical performance expectations and continue developing their systems engineering expertise.
• Help build a technically strong team with a deep understanding of systems engineering processes and their application across the mission space.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with customers and mission partners.
• Gather additional technical information, documentation, and system insights needed to support mission objectives.

Education/Experience

Fifteen (15) years' experience as a Systems Engineer in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity is required. Six (6) years' experience serving as a Systems Engineering Lead, including leading, managing, and collaborating with a broad range of organizations, groups, and technical teams, is required.

Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM field from an accredited college or university is required. Four (4) years of additional systems engineering experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree. A master's degree in a relevant STEM field may be substituted for an additional two (2) years of systems engineering experience.

Salary: $160,000-$200,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position, but is not guaranteed. Salary is based on experience, location and contractual requirements which could fall outside of the range listed.

Required Skills

• Experience performing cybersecurity assessments of large-scale Department of Defense systems.
• Ability to apply an Offensive Cyber Operations mindset to Defensive Cyber Operations activities.
• Experience conducting long-term, in-depth vulnerability assessments using systems engineering principles.
• Ability to analyze technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, build specifications, design documentation, system requirements, and systems architecture.
• Experience performing independent verification and validation of security requirements and system capabilities.
• Experience incorporating systems resiliency, security engineering, and cybersecurity requirements into acquisition documentation, including Performance Work Statements.
• Experience conducting technical evaluations of contractor proposals for systems resiliency, security, and cybersecurity considerations.
• Knowledge of Zero Trust principles, architectures, and implementation concepts.
• Strong customer engagement and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and obtain technical information and documentation from mission stakeholders.
• Ability to provide technical direction, assign work based on team members' strengths, and ensure effective utilization of engineering resources.

Desired Skills

• Cybersecurity certification, such as:
  • Security+
  • CISSP
  • Certified Ethical Hacker
  • Similar cybersecurity certification
• Familiarity with NIST Special Publication 800-160.
• Familiarity with INCOSE-defined systems engineering life-cycle processes.
• Experience supporting or evaluating large-scale Department of Defense systems.
• Knowledge of systems resiliency, security engineering, vulnerability analysis, or cyber survivability.