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Cyber Security Engineer 1

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA)
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Our company is preparing to support a mission-critical Team Awareness Kit (TAK) Server environment for the Department of the Interior’s Office of Wildland Fire (OWF). This effort enables real-time situational awareness for wildland fire response, aviation assets, emergency management, and interagency coordination across thousands of users nationwide.

 

We are seeking a Cyber Security Engineer to help design, guide, and sustain the security posture of a FISMA High cloud-hosted TAK Server platform. This role is ideal for a cybersecurity professional who enjoys shaping security solutions, working closely with engineers and operators, and ensuring that complex systems are both secure and mission-ready.

 

The Cyber Security Engineer serves as a technical authority and mentor, defining security control implementations, guiding Cyber Security Specialists and infrastructure teams, and partnering with government stakeholders to achieve and maintain an Authorization to Operate (ATO).

 

Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be US citizens.

 

While the role may allow for remote work, such arrangements are contingent upon operational requirements and may be changed.

 

This offer is contingent upon contract award and in certain cases approval of your qualifications for the position by the Prime contractor and the government agency.

 

What You’ll Be Doing

 

Cyber Security Engineers on this program are deeply involved across the entire system lifecycle, from architecture and design through authorization and operations.

 

Key responsibilities include:

     * Designing and overseeing implementation of cybersecurity controls aligned with:

 

     * FISMA High

     * NIST 800-53 Rev. 5

     * FedRAMP High

 

  Developing and maintaining RMF artifacts, including:

     * System Security Plan (SSP)

     * Control Implementation Statements

     * Continuous Monitoring Strategy

 

  Supporting the Authority to Operate (ATO) process and ongoing compliance

 

  Translating federal security requirements into practical, actionable guidance for implementation teams

 

  Providing technical direction to Cyber Security Specialists responsible for hands-on control execution

     * Advising cloud and DevOps teams on secure architectures for:

 

     * Kubernetes-based TAK Server deployments

     * High availability and resilience

 

  Designing and validating Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) solutions supporting:

     * CAC/PIV

     * Multi-factor authentication

     * Role-based access control

     * Federation across TAK instances

 

  Supporting vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and remediation planning

 

  Assisting with incident response planning and escalation aligned with NIST 800-61r3

 

  Producing clear, defensible security documentation for auditors and government reviewers

 

Why This Role Matters

 

The TAK Server directly supports public safety and emergency response missions. Your work will help ensure that firefighters, pilots, emergency managers, and decision-makers can trust the systems they rely on—even during high-stress, high-impact operations.

 

This role balances technical depth, mission purpose, and real-world impact.

 

Cyber Security Engineer Required Qualifications:

 

Education-

     * Associate's or Bachelor’s degree or higher in:

 

     * Cybersecurity

     * Computer Science

     * Information Systems

     * Computer or Electrical Engineering

       (or 16-18 years of experience in lieu of a degree)

 

Experience-

     * 12-14 years of progressive cybersecurity experience with an associates degree OR 8–10 years with a bachelors degree

     * Demonstrated experience working with:

          + NIST 800-53 security controls

          + RMF and ATO processes

          + FISMA High or FedRAMP environments

     * Experience securing cloud-hosted systems (AWS, Azure, GovCloud)

     * Experience supporting or advising operational security teams

 

Technical Skills-

     * Strong understanding of:

 

     * Security architecture and defense-in-depth

     * Identity and access management

     * Encryption and boundary protection

 

  Experience with:

     * Secure configuration baselines (STIGs, CIS)

     * Vulnerability management programs

     * Security monitoring and logging strategies

 

  Familiarity with Kubernetes and container security is highly desirable

 

Desired Qualifications-

     * Prior experience supporting mission systems, emergency response, or government operations

     * Experience integrating security into DevOps or cloud-native environments

     * Excellent written and verbal communication skills

     * Ability to explain security requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences

     * Relevant certifications such as:

 

     * CISSP, CCSP, CISM

     * AWS/Azure Security certifications

     * Security+

 

Cyber Security Engineer Qualifications:

 

Behaviors-

     * Team Player – Works effectively across engineering, operations, and government teams

     * Detail-Oriented – Produces high-quality documentation and defensible security artifacts

     * Analytical – Evaluates risk thoughtfully and pragmatically

     * Accountable – Takes ownership of security outcomes, not just deliverables

 

Motivations-

     * Mission Impact – Motivated by supporting public safety and national resilience

     * Problem Solving – Enjoys tackling complex security challenges

     * Mentorship – Interested in guiding and developing junior security staff

     * Continuous Improvement – Driven to keep systems and teams improving over time

 

Anticipated salary range: $66.07 - $75.59 hourly. Offer may vary depending on experience and skill set.

 

Who is ARA?

 

Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,265 employee-owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

 

ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice in what happens in the company.

 

To find out more about what the Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/

 

    Experience

 

Required

     * 8 - 10 years: Relevant Work Experience with Bachelors Degree

     * 12 - 14 years: Relevant Work Experience with Associates Degree

 

    Education

 

Preferred

     * Bachelors or better in Cybersecurity or related field

     * Associates or better in Cybersecurity or related field

 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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