Senior Defensive Cyber Operations Engineer

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is searching for a Senior Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) Engineer to support United States Space Force (USSF) by developing software in support of Space Systems Command (SSC) Defensive Cyber Operations rapid agile development of defensive cyber solutions to protect, defend, and respond to both ground and space based cyber adversarial threats. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical and analytical capabilities, with demonstrated experience transforming complex datasets into actionable insights that support strategic and operational decision-making.

The Senior Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) Engineer acts as a subject matter expert who actively defends systems critical to national defense, leads individuals toward common goals, and applies extensive expertise across complex work assignments. Assignments are often broad in nature and require originality and innovation. The role leads to the development of DCO methodologies, consults on IT and cyber defensive architecture and technologies, assesses assigned cyber key terrain, and advises on the technical design and implementation of DCO capabilities needed to protect, detect, and respond to cyber threats. This position may require privileged access and DoD 8140 restrictions will apply.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead individuals and collaborate with engineers on multiple complex work assignments requiring originality and innovation.
• Lead the development of DCO methodologies and present solutions to problems.
• Contribute to deliverables and performance metrics where applicable.
• Consult on IT and cyber defensive architecture and technologies.
• Assess assigned cyber key terrain to thoroughly understand the mission, architecture, and associated threat.
• Advise on the technical design and implementation of DCO capabilities required to effectively protect, detect, and respond to cyber threats and attacks.
• Research cyber defense technologies for best fit based on mission, architecture, and current threat.
• Lead the design, implementation, configuration, and/or tuning of cyber defensive technology.
• Author documentation including SOPs, checklists, implementation guides, architecture diagrams, and crew binders to support DCO.
• Adapt technologies to meet the mission architecture and threat.

Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or Software Engineering plus 18 years of technical experience in cyber-defense or cybersecurity-related fields (e.g., engineering, networking, systems integration, solutions) OR

Master’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or Software Engineering and 10 years of technical experience.

Experience years must come from at least 3 of the following areas:

• Container or virtual environments (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, AWS)
• In-band and out-of-band test access points for network traffic collection and aggregation (e.g., Gigamon)
• Data storage solutions (e.g., NFS storage, distributed storage, Ceph, Ruck storage)
• Data-analysis toolsets (e.g., Elastic Search, Logstash, Kibana, Splunk)
• Agile frameworks for software development
• Linux operating systems (Red Hat, Kali, etc.)
• Windows operating systems
• Network infrastructure
• Security applications (SOAR, SIEM, IDS, etc.)

OR equivalent qualification via DoD 8140 Work Role 521 pathways, such as:

DAU DCWF 521 Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist – Intermediate Playlist,

CIN A-531-1900 Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC),

DISA (521) Training DCWF Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist,

Or One Of The Following Certifications Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Cloud+, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Security+, GIAC Continuous Monitoring Certification (GMON), GIAC Response and Industrial Defense (GRID), GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC), or Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP).

Desired Skills/experience

• Demonstrated leadership of technical teams and complex cyber defense assignments.
• Experience assessing cyber key terrain and advising on DCO architecture and capabilities.
• Hands-on leadership in the design, implementation, configuration, and tuning of cyber defensive technologies.
• Strong technical writing skills for SOPs, implementation guides, architecture diagrams, and crew binders.
• Experience researching and adapting cyber defense technologies to specific mission and threat environments.
• Familiarity with DoD/USSF cyber operations and mission system defense is highly desirable.
• Relevant DoW and/or Industry work experience

Clearance

• Must possess a Secret with Top Secret/ SCI eligibility. SAR/SAP experience highly desirable.

Location/Travel Requirements:

• Place of work is Colorado Springs; remote work opportunity is limited. You may be required to travel periodically, less than 10%.

The pay range for this position in Colorado is $155,000/year to $195,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract ranges, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. This posting will be renewed periodically until the position is filled. #MTSI

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