Defensive Cyber Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation
Colorado Springs, CO

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

As an Engineering Specialist for the Cyber Operations section of the Cyber Operations and Resilience Department (CORD), you will help manage a small team of bright and forward-thinking cybersecurity engineers working to enhance Space and Strategic mission resilience.   

Work Model

This position can be located hybrid or Onsite in Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Leading and organizing the deployment of Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) related capabilities (e.g., intrusion detection systems, security information event management (SIEM) solutions, etc.) at various US and potentially overseas locations (military, federal government, commercial, etc.)
  • Serve as the customer facing point of contact for the installations to include interfacing with end users and the DCO capability developers
  • Help installations perform cyber key mission terrain identification and documentation as well as assisting with the gathering IT architecture diagrams, user data flow information, and other data necessary to tune DCO capabilities
  • Proactively support program management of multiple projects and facilitate in-depth working groups to identify credible threats, relevant vulnerabilities, and assess operational impacts
  • Closely collaborate between other Aerospace employees, Government points of contact (POCs), other Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) POCs, contractors, and DCO user organizations to advertise capabilities, improve DCO products and services, and ensure DCO users are adequately supported throughout the product lifecycles.
  • Proactively interact with customers by presenting capabilities, project status, technical findings, and technical demonstrations.
  • Identify and evaluate new tools, technologies and techniques that may be applied to address issues or inefficiencies related to hardware assurance/security.
  • Perform research or technical development with government, industry, and academia partners to develop cutting edge capabilities.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements: (Engineering Specialist)

  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited university in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or another related STEM discipline.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
  • 8 or more years of professional technical experience with 3 or more years of cybersecurity / cyber operations / Defensive Cyber Operations experience
  • At least a basic understanding of software languages such as C/C++, Python, Java, JavaScript (Practioners level)
  • Demonstrated ability to initiate and complete tasks, learn new technical approaches, mentor junior staff, lead technical efforts, and interact effectively with a broad range of organizations.
  • Strong written and oral communications, time management, interpersonal, and project/schedule organizational skills.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

  • Proficiency in using SIEM tools (e.g. Splunk) or other cybersecurity related tools/products

  • Demonstrated proficiency with the following platforms:  Linux, Kali Linux, Windows

  • Experience working with application containerization, cloud environments, software defined IT infrastructure,

  • Basic networking knowledge to help with creating unique protocol decoders

  • Advanced degree from an accredited university in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical program.

  • Current and active Top-Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access TS/SCI government clearance.

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification or equivalent cyber certification such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or SANS certification

  • Demonstrated Cybersecurity/cyber operations/Defensive Cyber Operations experience as it relates to Space or Strategic Mission Systems

  • Additional Experience Desired: basic understanding of Zeek/Corelight for network analysis,

  • Proficiency with TensorFlow and machine learning training

  • Experience decomposing network protocols

  • Skills to perform queries in Elastic (Kibana)

  • Proficiency in using and leveraging PowerShell, Bash, Ghidra

  • Understanding of space command and control

  • Systems Engineering experience working with Military, Government, FFRDC’s and SETA’s to rapidly build software deliverables for DCO-Space

  • Demonstrated proficiency in performing cybersecurity tasks for space mission systems such as GPS, SBIRS, SCN, MILSTAR etc. 

  • Experience working with Air Force and/or Space Force program office personnel or US Space Force Deltas

  • Familiarity with cyberspace operations planning, wargaming, experiments, cyber incident response, red team/blue teams, cyber table-top exercise, etc.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. 

(Min - Mid - Max)

$103,300 - $137,450 - $171,600

Pay Basis: Annual

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

  • Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

  • 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

  • Flexible spending accounts

  • Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

  • Relocation assistance

  • Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

  • Education assistance programs

  • An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.