Jr. Cyber Security Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 13, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 13, 2026.
Company Overview
By Light Professional IT Services LLC readies warfighters and federal agencies with technology and systems engineered to connect, protect, and prepare individuals and teams for whatever comes next. Headquartered in McLean, VA, By Light supports defense, civilian, and commercial IT customers worldwide.
Cole Engineering Services (CESI), a By Light company, is recognized as a premier provider of modeling and simulation (M&S) training solutions to the Federal Government and industry. Since 2004, CESI has been at the forefront of developing, maintaining, and integrating simulation-based training, serious gaming, technical services, training and other support in live, virtual, constructive, and gaming (LVCG) domains. CESI also designs, builds and runs infrastructure, platforms, applications and processes that enable cyber training for the integrated multi-domain force. Our vision is to become a worldwide full spectrum LVCG and cyber training/analysis developer, integrator and services provider.
Position Overview
Provide cybersecurity engineering support to DoD software application development activities through cybersecurity requirements definition, process enhancements and application security testing activities.
Responsibilities
- Define cybersecurity requirements for software applications to meet program requirements and objectives.
- Provide recommendations to incorporate security engineering practices throughout the system development lifecycle.
- Perform assessments of cybersecurity requirement compliance using manual and automated software analysis tools and methods and present them to the customer as necessary.
- Perform assessments using adversarial tools, techniques, and methods against network-enabled applications and web applications to identify weaknesses, gaps, and vulnerabilities.
- Propose mitigation and countermeasures to reduce or eliminate software-level threats.
- Directly interface with the software development team to ensure software security engineering principles are applied throughout the system development lifecycle.
Required Experience/Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Cybersecurity, IT or related field required; professional and/or military experience may be substituted in lieu of degree.
- This position requires certifications necessary to meet IAT Level II in accordance with DoD 8140 baseline certifications.
- IAT Level II certification is required immediately upon hire.
- Current certification status will be maintained by obtaining continuing education as specified by the certification authority.
- Experience in software engineering, development and/or systems engineering throughout all phases of the system development lifecycle.
- Systems administration skills, experience with Linux, security settings, services, hardening of systems (STIGs, security policies); any shell scripting or Python a plus.
- System troubleshooting, recovery, and advisory in the event of unexpected adverse configuration changes.
- Knowledge of threat assessment and solutions to mitigate or eliminate such threats.
- Experience with offensive security tools and adversarial techniques and methods.
- Experience implementing software application solutions to comply with NIST SP 800-53 security controls.
- Compliance and vulnerability reporting and similar formal technical documentation skills.
- Understanding of Risk and Compliance Frameworks.
Preferred Experience/Qualifications
- An understanding of DoD acquisition processes and relevant cyber security processes, such as the Risk Management Framework (RMF).
- Security+ certification
Special Requirements/Security Clearance
Please note that pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires U. S. Citizenship status with a current SECRET security clearance, with the ability to attain a TOP SECRET/SCI clearance. Security Clearance requirements will be specified in the Government's Task Order.
This position is on-site and may require travel (less than 10%).
Benefits Overview
CESI recognizes that our strength is our people. We support every employee as an individual to build strong teams across the enterprise. Our benefit package includes:
- Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
- Wellness Program
- 401(k) Matching
- Disability (Short Term & Long Term)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Life Insurance
- Education & Training
- Generous Leave Policy (11 Federal Holidays, PTO, Military Leave, Bereavement and Jury Duty)
CESI is committed to principles of inclusion and equal employment opportunity. We foster a non-discriminatory, professional work environment for all our teams. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status.