Cyber Security Engineer w Secret Clearance

Job Description

This position requires onsite work at Kirtland Airforce Base in Albuquerque, NM and an active Secret Security Clearance. Candidates who do not hold this clearance are not eligible for hire.

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Cyber Security Engineer to provide leadership and expertise in securing AFSEC's safety information systems by overseeing cybersecurity operations, engineering secure network architectures, and managing enterprise risk. This role guides system development, protects sensitive safety data, leads incident response, and represents AFSEC in interagency cybersecurity coordination to ensure the integrity and resilience of mission-critical safety systems.

Day in the Life:

Safety Information Systems Security Analysis (50%)

• Serves as the lead technical expert for the cybersecurity of AFSEC's unique portfolio of safety information systems, such as the Air Force Safety Automated System (AFSAS), mishap investigation databases, and predictive safety analysis platforms.
• Independently plans and executes comprehensive security assessments, vulnerability analyses, and penetration testing simulations against these critical systems and their associated networks.
• Utilizes a mastery of advanced cybersecurity tools and methodologies to identify and analyze sophisticated threats to sensitive aviation, space, weapons, and occupational safety data.
• Leads complex incident response actions for security breaches involving safety systems, conducting in-depth digital forensics and damage assessments to determine the impact on privileged safety information and providing expert recommendations to leadership for containment and eradication.

Network Architecture & Security Engineering for Safety Data (30%):

• Designs, engineers, and validates the security architecture for the networks and systems hosting AFSEC's data.
• Develops and implements robust, multi-layered security controls for networks transmitting privileged and mishap-related information, ensuring compliance with strict legal and DoD requirements for data protection.
• Serves as the principal cybersecurity consultant for all phases of the systems development lifecycle (SDLC) for new safety analysis tools and databases, ensuring security requirements are integrated from inception.
• Authors and validates security policies, system security plans (SSPs), and operational procedures specifically tailored to the unique challenge of protecting safety investigation data from unauthorized access and spillage.

Risk Management and Advisory for Safety Mission (20%):

• Functions as the authoritative expert on the application of the DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) to AFSEC systems.
• Manages the complete Assessment and Authorization (A&A) lifecycle for the center's networks and applications, preparing and defending complex risk-based decisions to Authorizing Officials (AOs).
• Provides expert technical consultation to AFSEC leadership, safety investigators, and data scientists on complex cybersecurity issues and their potential impact on the Air Force safety mission.
• Represents AFSEC as a cybersecurity SME in high-level working groups with the FAA, NTSB, NASA, and other DoD components, negotiating and influencing cybersecurity standards for joint safety systems and data-sharing initial

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Active Secret clearance is required
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.
• Expert knowledge of cybersecurity principles, practices, and tools, including security assessments, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and digital forensics.
• Advanced experience securing complex, mission-critical information systems, preferably within DoD, federal, or aviation/space safety environments.
• Demonstrated mastery of network architecture and security engineering, including design and implementation of multi-layered security controls for sensitive or legally protected data.
• Comprehensive understanding of system development lifecycle (SDLC) processes, with the ability to integrate cybersecurity requirements into system design, development, testing, and deployment.
• Expert-level proficiency with the DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF), including leading Assessment and Authorization (A&A) activities and preparing risk artifacts for Authorizing Officials.
• Ability to conduct complex incident response operations, including forensic analysis, threat identification, containment, eradication, and post-incident reporting.
• Skill in developing and validating cybersecurity policies, procedures, and System Security Plans (SSPs) tailored to specialized or high-sensitivity systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to identify sophisticated cyber threats and recommend technically sound mitigation strategies.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex cybersecurity issues to leadership and non-technical stakeholders, including safety investigators, data scientists, and interagency partners.
• Experience representing an organization in high-level technical working groups, preferably with federal, defense, or aviation/space safety partners (e.g., FAA, NTSB, NASA).
• Knowledge of applicable federal and DoD cybersecurity laws, policies, and standards, including data protection requirements for privileged safety or mishap information.
• Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications & Experience:

• Top Secret clearance preferred.
• Relevant certifications strongly desired, such as CISSP, CASP+, CEH, OSCP, CCSP, or DoD 8140/8570-compliant equivalents

Benefit selection, customer contractual specifications, relevant work experience, skills, competencies, certifications, and clearance status will influence the final salary.

What we will bring:
Solidus offers you an exciting opportunity to tackle the nation's greatest challenges applying innovation and expertise to produce cutting-edge results that have a long-lasting impact. We offer outstanding benefits, generous PTO and much more! Apply today to learn why Solidus has a 4.9/5 Star rating on Glassdoor!

Req ID: 5312

Solidus is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities regarding all terms and conditions of employment to all employees and qualified applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The Company will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.

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Please Note: Solidus does not accept applications from agencies, 3rd party vendors, or applications with incomplete information.

Minimum Security Clearance

Secret