Cyber Engineer

About the role

The Cyber Engineer role focuses on designing and delivering secure, high-performance cyber software solutions that support mission-critical Department of Defense (DoD) systems. You will work primarily in Linux-based, containerized environments to build scalable microservices with a strong emphasis on networking, performance optimization, and cyber analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain secure software applications using C++ and/or Java for mission-critical cyber systems.
• Build and optimize high-performance software systems by applying parallelization and performance optimization techniques.
• Develop and deploy containerized applications within Linux environments, ensuring reliability and scalability.
• Arcitect and implement microservices-based solutions that support complex, distributed cyber capabilities.
• Integrate, configure, and manage services within Kubernetes environments to support production workloads.
• Analyze network traffic and contribute to cyber capabilities such as deep packet inspection, network reconnaissance, and related cyber operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across the full software lifecycle, from requirements and design through development, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and enhance applications directly within container orchestration environments such as Kubernetes.
• Apply networking fundamentals and cyber analysis techniques to improve system security, performance, and resilience.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of development practices, tooling, and automation within Agile and DevSecOps workflows.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain a DoD Interim Secret Clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Hands-on experience developing software in C++ and/or Java.
• Experience with parallelization and performance optimization in software systems.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals and their application in distributed systems.
• Experience developing containerized applications and running them in Linux environments.
• Hands-on experience running and managing containers on Linux distributions.
• Understanding of microservices architectures and how to design, deploy, and support them in production.
• Familiarity with secure software development practices in cyber-focused environments.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines to automate build, test, and deployment processes.
• Familiarity with tools for managing Kubernetes application lifecycles, including deployment, scaling, and upgrades.
• Direct experience developing and debugging applications on Kubernetes (beyond managed platforms such as AWS or OpenShift).
• Knowledge of network reconnaissance techniques and their use in cyber operations and analysis.
• Experience with network traffic analysis and deep packet inspection.
• Hands-on experience with tools and libraries such as Boost Asio, gRPC, and Pcap++.
• Experience in analyzing and securing embedded systems and devices.
• Experience working within Agile and DevSecOps methodologies, including iterative development and continuous integration.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to debug complex issues in distributed, containerized environments.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional engineering and cyber teams.

Skills

• Ability to obtain a DoD Interim Secret Clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Hands-on experience developing software in C++ and/or Java.
• Experience with parallelization and performance optimization in software systems.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals and their application in distributed systems.
• Experience developing containerized applications and running them in Linux environments.
• Understanding of microservices architectures and how to design, deploy, and support them in production.
• Familiarity with secure software development practices in cyber-focused environments.
• Experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines to automate build, test, and deployment processes.
• Familiarity with tools for managing Kubernetes application lifecycles, including deployment, scaling, and upgrades.
• Direct experience developing and debugging applications on Kubernetes (beyond managed platforms such as AWS or OpenShift).
• Knowledge of network reconnaissance techniques and their use in cyber operations and analysis.
• Experience with network traffic analysis and deep packet inspection.
• Hands-on experience with tools and libraries such as Boost Asio, gRPC, and Pcap++.
• Experience in analyzing and securing embedded systems and devices.
• Experience working within Agile and DevSecOps methodologies, including iterative development and continuous integration.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to debug complex issues in distributed, containerized environments.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional engineering and cyber teams.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $85.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Work Environment

The role operates within Linux-based development ecosystems, leveraging containerized infrastructure such as Docker and Kubernetes to build and deploy microservices at scale. You will work in an Agile and DevSecOps environment that emphasizes continuous integration, continuous delivery, and rapid iteration. The position supports mission-driven DoD cyber programs, where security, reliability, and performance are critical. Day-to-day work involves modern development toolchains, container orchestration platforms, and networking and cyber analysis tools in a collaborative, engineering-focused setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Manassas, VA. Pay and Benefits: The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $85.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Work Environment: The role operates within Linux-based development ecosystems, leveraging containerized infrastructure such as Docker and Kubernetes to build and deploy microservices at scale. You will work in an Agile and DevSecOps environment that emphasizes continuous integration, continuous delivery, and rapid iteration. The position supports mission-driven DoD cyber programs, where security, reliability, and performance are critical. Day-to-day work involves modern development toolchains, container orchestration platforms, and networking and cyber analysis tools in a collaborative, engineering-focused setting.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.