Job Description

The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Principal Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert with a background supporting the Government in the execution of large technology programs. This position will support the Office of the Secretary of War Research & Engineering’s Prototyping & Experimentation Office. This work requires a candidate with a background in classified technical program or project management, acquisition, or analytical support of government Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) and the DoW Acquisition environment.

This position is contingent upon award of a contract expected begin in August 2026.

Essential Functions

• Provide engineering and scientific expertise to rapidly develop and demonstrate mission base capabilities to fill persistent gaps within the National Defense Strategy
• Contribute to technical assessments and program evaluations
• Provide scientific and engineering technical assessments of proposed prototypes and experimentation
• Provide a quantitative/qualitative analysis of technologies from the technological industry base, services, and Government laboratories
• Validate prototypes and experimentations utilizing proven scientific analytical methods and high-fidelity modeling to confirm key performance parameters design specifications of prototypes
• Provide subject matter expertise in one or more of the following technology areas: AI/ML, Processing, exploitation, and dissemination (PED), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, fully networked command & control (FNC2), RF propagation, C5ISR, electronic warfare, and cyber warfare, and hypersonics, among others
• Perform and deliver work with limited direction

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related science or engineering field
• Top Secret security clearance with SCI and SAP eligibility
• 12-15 years’ experience performing classified operations effectiveness and acquisition systems analysis and cyber engineering and cyberspace T&E
• Ten years’ experience supporting analysis, assessment, demonstration, testing and/or experimentation of cyber capabilities
• R&D and integration and testing of offensive and defensive cyber technologies
• Industry cyber security certifications in one or more of the following areas
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
• Global Information Assurance Certifications (GIAC)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Desired Qualifications:

• 15 years of related experience
• Master’s or Ph.D. degree from an accredited academic institution
• Experience writing for a DoW audience
• Experience supporting the Office of the Secretary of War supporting acquisition and R&D programs

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 www.ara.com

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Principal Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert position.