Job Requirements
Arlington, VA
Top Secret/SCI Polygraph not specified
Career Level not specified
$160,000 - $175,000
Job Description
Electrical Engineer (Hardware Forensics / Chip-Off)
Location: Arlington, VA
Clearance: TS/SCI
Customer: Department of Homeland Security
Apply Now!
or
Contact Recruiter: Brenton Anderson
Email: banderson3@kforce.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myitrecruiterbrenton/
We are seeking a senior Electrical Engineer to lead the design, build-out, and operation of a specialized hardware forensics lab. This role focuses on chip-off forensics, low-level device analysis, and advanced data extraction from embedded systems and network-edge devices.
This is a highly technical, hands-on position requiring deep expertise in electrical engineering, hardware reverse engineering, and forensic analysis of devices where traditional methods are insufficient.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the design, setup, and operational readiness of a hardware forensics lab
Provide expert-level guidance on chip-off techniques, PCB analysis, and device-level forensics
Develop and document forensic workflows, procedures, and best practices
Perform hardware-level forensic analysis on embedded systems and network-edge devices
Conduct circuit board reverse engineering and component-level analysis
Extract data from flash memory, EEPROM, and other storage media
Design and implement safe chip removal and recovery processes
Identify and procure specialized lab equipment and forensic tools
Collaborate with engineering teams to define technical requirements and capabilities
Train analysts on chip-off forensics techniques and methodologies
Conduct technical demos and showcase lab capabilities
Analyze proprietary and embedded hardware systems
Support investigations involving devices where traditional endpoint tools are insufficient
Document findings, methodologies, and technical procedures
Provide ongoing technical consultation and reach-back support
Required Qualifications
Active TS/SCI clearance
10+ years of experience in electrical engineering or hardware design
Deep expertise in PCB design, circuit analysis, and digital electronics
Strong hands-on experience with chip extraction and hardware forensics techniques
Proficiency with electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters)
Strong understanding of embedded systems architecture and memory technologies
Experience with microcontrollers, SoCs, and embedded processors
Knowledge of data recovery from damaged or protected storage devices
Experience with soldering/desoldering components for chip access and data extraction
Hands-on experience with hardware reverse engineering
Strong documentation and technical writing skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting cybersecurity or digital forensics environments
Background in incident response or digital forensics
Knowledge of firmware analysis and reverse engineering
Experience working with network-edge device security
Familiarity with hardware debugging interfaces (JTAG, SPI, I2C)
Understanding of IoT or OT device architectures
Experience training or mentoring technical teams
Knowledge of malware operating at the hardware or firmware level
Familiarity with challenges in analyzing devices without traditional monitoring tools
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
Advanced degree preferred
Certifications (Preferred)
Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent
PMP
Relevant cybersecurity certifications
Location: Arlington, VA
Clearance: TS/SCI
Customer: Department of Homeland Security
Apply Now!
or
Contact Recruiter: Brenton Anderson
Email: banderson3@kforce.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myitrecruiterbrenton/
We are seeking a senior Electrical Engineer to lead the design, build-out, and operation of a specialized hardware forensics lab. This role focuses on chip-off forensics, low-level device analysis, and advanced data extraction from embedded systems and network-edge devices.
This is a highly technical, hands-on position requiring deep expertise in electrical engineering, hardware reverse engineering, and forensic analysis of devices where traditional methods are insufficient.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the design, setup, and operational readiness of a hardware forensics lab
Provide expert-level guidance on chip-off techniques, PCB analysis, and device-level forensics
Develop and document forensic workflows, procedures, and best practices
Perform hardware-level forensic analysis on embedded systems and network-edge devices
Conduct circuit board reverse engineering and component-level analysis
Extract data from flash memory, EEPROM, and other storage media
Design and implement safe chip removal and recovery processes
Identify and procure specialized lab equipment and forensic tools
Collaborate with engineering teams to define technical requirements and capabilities
Train analysts on chip-off forensics techniques and methodologies
Conduct technical demos and showcase lab capabilities
Analyze proprietary and embedded hardware systems
Support investigations involving devices where traditional endpoint tools are insufficient
Document findings, methodologies, and technical procedures
Provide ongoing technical consultation and reach-back support
Required Qualifications
Active TS/SCI clearance
10+ years of experience in electrical engineering or hardware design
Deep expertise in PCB design, circuit analysis, and digital electronics
Strong hands-on experience with chip extraction and hardware forensics techniques
Proficiency with electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters)
Strong understanding of embedded systems architecture and memory technologies
Experience with microcontrollers, SoCs, and embedded processors
Knowledge of data recovery from damaged or protected storage devices
Experience with soldering/desoldering components for chip access and data extraction
Hands-on experience with hardware reverse engineering
Strong documentation and technical writing skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting cybersecurity or digital forensics environments
Background in incident response or digital forensics
Knowledge of firmware analysis and reverse engineering
Experience working with network-edge device security
Familiarity with hardware debugging interfaces (JTAG, SPI, I2C)
Understanding of IoT or OT device architectures
Experience training or mentoring technical teams
Knowledge of malware operating at the hardware or firmware level
Familiarity with challenges in analyzing devices without traditional monitoring tools
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
Advanced degree preferred
Certifications (Preferred)
Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent
PMP
Relevant cybersecurity certifications
group id: kforcecx
We offer roles across all three clearance levels: Confidential, Secret and Top Secret. With a Top Secret Facilities clearance, a proven subcontractor track record and a deep understanding of agencies across Defense, Intelligence, Homeland, Justice and Federal Civilian Sectors, Kforce brings more than 20 years of experience to supporting critical missions at federal, state and local levels.
