Senior Researcher IV

Koniag IT Systems, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a Senior Researcher IV with a TS/SCI clearance to support KITS and our government customer in Falls Church, VA.

We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more.

Essential Functions, Responsibilities & Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as a senior subject matter expert (SME) on AI, Autonomy, and Decision Support research for CDAO SDS.
• Direct research portfolios and ensure strategic alignment with CDAO mission objectives.
• Provide senior advisory input into enterprise-level risk analyses, export control reviews, and strategic disclosure strategies.
• Represent CDAO SDS in high-level engagements with OSD leadership, Combatant Commands, and interagency partners.
• Provide final validation of deliverables including strategic assessments, program protection plans, and modernization strategies.
• Mentor and supervise researchers across levels I-III, fostering professional growth and quality output.

• Lead complex research efforts supporting CDAO tasks, including counterintelligence analysis, program protection assessments, and cyber vulnerability reviews.
• Develop and brief strategic disclosure implementation plans supporting joint competition and warfighter integration.
• Oversee and validate deliverables such as Program Protection Plans, Counterintelligence Support Plans, and annual strategic assessments.
• Mentor junior researchers; conduct peer review and quality assurance on research products.
• Collaborate across Combatant Commands, Services, and Agencies to integrate research findings into joint strategies and modernization efforts.

• Provides cyber risk and threat identification by proactively and continuously monitoring the internal and external landscape for relevant events, risks and threats related to malicious code, vulnerabilities and attacks.
• Performs monitoring and analysis of threat intelligence monitoring tool services, product contracts and relationships.
• Assists in the evaluation, development, testing, and implementation of emerging data access control technologies and information systems security issues, safeguards and techniques
• Recommends mitigation TTPs for identified malicious logic within the customer's environment.
• Maintains current knowledge of tools and best-practices in advanced persistent threats.
• Regularly develops and produces succinct written intelligence reports constructed from technical analysis and collected threat information for client internal consumers.

• Partners with peer cyber and intelligence operations teams to understand events and support technical analysis of malicious cyber security incidents.
• Tracks potential threats associated with attempted intrusions and network and host-based attacks, and coordinates incident response efforts with cyber security teams.

Work Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Education/Experience:

• PhD or Master's degree with significant senior-level professional experience in International Affairs, Defense Studies, Cybersecurity, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in intelligence research, technology protection, and national security analysis.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Recognized expertise in AI/Autonomy, advanced decision support, and foreign adversary capabilities.
• Extensive experience preparing strategic reports, enterprise-level briefings, and interagency products.
• Familiarity with DoD 8140/8570, RMF, NIST CSF, ZTA, and industrial security requirements.

Abilities:

• Proven leadership skills, able to manage cross-functional and classified research teams.
• Exceptional ability to advise senior leadership and influence strategic decision-making.

Security Clearance requirement:

• Active TS/SCI with polygraph (or eligibility) required.

Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.

The company is dedicated to seeking all qualified applicants. If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply for a position on our website, please get in touch with Heaven Wood via e-mail at accommodations@koniag-gs.com or by calling 703-488-9377 to request accommodations.

Koniag Government Services (KGS) is an Alaska Native Owned corporation supporting the values and traditions of our native communities through an agile employee and corporate culture that delivers Enterprise Solutions, Professional Services and Operational Management to Federal Government Agencies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Koniag, we apply our proven commercial solutions to a deep knowledge of Defense and Civilian missions to provide forward leaning technical, professional, and operational solutions. KGS enables successful mission outcomes for our customers through solution-oriented business partnerships and a commitment to exceptional service delivery. We ensure long-term success with a continuous improvement approach while balancing the collective interests of our customers, employees, and native communities. For more information, please visit www.koniag-gs.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Shareholder Preference in accordance with Public Law 88-352