Cyber Blue Team Operator

Job Summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a skilled Cyber Blue Team Operator to join our Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division. In this role, you will be crucial in conducting cyber assessments, identifying vulnerabilities in critical U.S. and Allied systems, networks, infrastructures, and assets. Our team provides vital support to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Nuclear Enterprise Support Directorate (NE)’s Mission Assurance Department (MA) program.

We are looking for hands-on cyber analysts who possess a strong understanding of both compliance standards and the necessary tools and techniques for vulnerability assessment. You will be part of a team that identifies risks leading to mission loss or degradation and provides recommendations for risk reduction and management based on DoD Mission Assurance Assessment benchmarks. This involves identifying threats to information technology and operational technology and assessing their vulnerability and risk to assets. Selected candidates will apply in-depth knowledge of cyber threats to develop actionable recommendations for remediating system vulnerabilities.

Our teams offer a balanced perspective on the mission survivability of key DoD facilities, providing leadership with recommendations and supporting rationale. Assessments also include an adversarial viewpoint to identify weaknesses, test and evaluate protection strategies, and demonstrate exploitation of identified vulnerabilities. These comprehensive assessments cover various areas, including telecommunications (video, voice, data, commercial, and military) and cyberspace operations (computer networks, IA tools use, operations security).

As a Cyber Blue Team Operator, you may be deployed to high-threat but permissive environments globally. Each team can conduct up to 10 assessments annually, ranging from one to six weeks, from initiation to final report submission. This position is contingent upon a program expansion/opening and customer approval of the candidate’s resume.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2-4 years directly relevant experience in defensive cybersecurity, such as security operations center, network operations, 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+).
• 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, cybersecurity, 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 advanced cyber analytical toolkit and perform required assessments.
• Working knowledge of Department of War’s IT system and network certification and accreditation processes, including 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.

Company Information

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company known for delivering technically superior solutions to complex challenges in the physical sciences. Established in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, ARA now employs over 2000 professionals across offices in the United States and Canada. The company offers extensive technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. Additionally, ARA provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, our employees are our most valuable assets. We believe that employee ownership fosters greater creativity, initiative, performance, and customer satisfaction. ARA empowers its employees with the tools, training, and opportunities to actively engage as owners. Our culture is dynamic and challenging, where innovation and experimentation are encouraged. Employees benefit from contributions that enhance both the company’s success and their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit,” encapsulates the ARA experience. For more information and to explore opportunities to join our unique workplace, please visit www.ara.com.

Key skills/competency

• Cybersecurity
• Vulnerability Assessment
• Blue Teaming
• Network Security
• Incident Response
• Threat Hunting
• Linux Environments
• Packet Analysis
• Scripting/Programming
• DoD Compliance