Cyber Blue Team Operator

The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Cyber Blue Team Operator to join our team conducting cyber assessments of vulnerabilities of critical U.S. and Allied systems, networks, infrastructures, and assets. Our team supports the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Nuclear Enterprise Support Directorate (NE)’s Mission Assurance Department (MA) program. We are seeking hands-on cyber analysts with and understanding of both the compliance standards and the tools and techniques to assess vulnerabilities to be a part of our team. Assessment teams identify risks that may lead to mission loss or degradation and provide recommendations for risk reduction and management based on DoD Mission Assurance Assessment benchmarks. Teams identify threats to information technology and operational technology and assess the vulnerability and risk to assets. Selected candidates will apply in-depth knowledge of cyber threats to develop recommendations to remediate system vulnerabilities.

Our teams provide a balanced look at the mission survivability of key DoD facilities and provide recommendations with supporting rationale to leadership. Teams also perform assessments from an adversarial viewpoint to identify weaknesses, test and evaluate protection strategies, and demonstrate exploitation of identified vulnerabilities. Components of these assessments include but are not limited to examining telecommunications (e.g., video, voice and data, commercial and military) and cyber space operations (e.g., computer networks, IA tools use, operations security).

Cyber assessment teams may be deployed to high-threat but permissive environments anywhere in the world. Each team can support up to 10 assessments per year that range from one to six weeks in duration, from start to submission of final assessment report.

This position is contingent upon a program expansion/opening and customer approval of the candidate’s resume.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree with 2-4 years directly relevant experience in defensive cyber security such as security operations center, network operations and cyber blue/red teaming or incident response OR 8-10 years of experience in lieu of a degree
• Current / Active Top Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI access
• Active certifications required – IAT II as described in DoDD 8570.01 and CSSP Auditor (Security+, CySA+, Pentest+); s
• Demonstrated experience with Linux environments (Red Hat, CentOS, Ubuntu)
• Understanding of information technology threats, and cybersecurity practices
• Hands-on experience with security monitoring, threat hunting, packet analysis, malware analysis, signature development, and/or shell scripting
• Hands-on experience with network monitoring and packet inspection tools
• Programming experience (Perl, Python, C, etc.)

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, information technology, cyber security, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related discipline 5+ years’ relevant experience can serve as a substitute for degree requirements)
• Knowledge, skills, and ability to operate the advanced cyber analytical toolkit and perform required assessments
• Working knowledge of Department of War’s IT system and network certification and accreditation processes to include system security authorization agreements
• Experience conducting Information Operations Computer Network Defense/Exploitation assessments
• Experience with firewalls and network TAP technologies
• Experience installing, configuring, and administering software applications
• Demonstrated skills in troubleshooting problems with software and hardware
• Experience configuring, managing, and maintaining networking equipment
• Knowledge of Department of Warfare’s information assurance policies and procedures
• Experience in Vulnerability Alert processes
• Working knowledge of Computer Network vulnerability/compliance analysis software

Compensation & Benefits: Pay Ranges: From $105,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year based on years of experience, degree and any special skills and knowledge that they may bring to the position. ARA offers competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership generates greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at .

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