Cyber Test Engineer

About the Role

PeopleTec is seeking a Cyber Test Engineer to support cybersecurity verification, validation, and certification activities for Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)-enabled aviation platform networks and Data Distribution System (DDS) architectures. This role involves performing cybersecurity testing within integrated lab environments using lab-grade hardware and representative avionics systems to evaluate cyber resiliency, network security, and deterministic communications performance.

You will work closely with systems engineering, avionics integration, and network architecture teams to assess vulnerabilities, validate mitigations, and support platform cybersecurity certification efforts during the development of the architecture from the Systems Integrator.

Responsibilities

• Conduct offensive cybersecurity testing against Ethernet-based TSN and DDS architectures.
• Perform vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, protocol fuzzing, and adversarial testing of integrated avionics network systems.
• Support cybersecurity integration and validation activities within a System Integration Lab (SIL) utilizing lab-grade hardware and representative avionics components.
• Evaluate network resiliency under degraded, malicious, and abnormal traffic conditions.
• Analyze TSN synchronization, traffic scheduling, latency, and deterministic network behavior under adversarial conditions.
• Support transition from SIL-based testing to platform-level integration and System Test Integration Lab (STIL) activities.
• Develop cyber test procedures, technical reports, risk assessments, and certification artifacts.
• Develop custom scripts and tooling to automate cybersecurity test activities and traffic analysis.

Requirements

• 10-15+ years of experience in offensive cybersecurity engineering, network penetration testing, embedded systems testing, or cyber resiliency assessment.
• Experience with Ethernet networking, packet analysis, and cybersecurity test methodologies utilizing tools such as Wireshark, Scapy, Zeek, Kali Linux, Ghidra, or protocol fuzzing frameworks.
• Familiarity with avionics data distribution systems and airborne network architectures utilizing bus protocols such as CAN Bus, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, ARINC 664 Part 7 (AFDX), and Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN).
• Experience supporting cybersecurity testing, integration, or resiliency assessments on avionics or mission platform environments is highly desired.
• Experience with scripting and development languages such as Python, C, or C++.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to create detailed technical reports and briefings.
• Must be willing to travel to various technical events and conferences as needed (estimated 10% per year).
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• An active DoD Secret clearance is required; candidates must have an active Secret clearance upon hire and the ability to maintain it.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.

Desired Skills

• 10+ years of relevant experience in cybersecurity engineering, avionics integration, platform test and evaluation, or offensive cyber testing within defense or aerospace environments.
• Experience performing vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, protocol analysis, or cyber resiliency testing against embedded or integrated platform systems.
• Ability to lead technical discussions and provide cybersecurity insights to cross-functional teams.

About PeopleTec

PeopleTec, Inc. is an employee-owned small business founded in Huntsville, AL that provides exceptional customer support by employing and retaining a highly skilled workforce. The company’s culture prioritizes employees and customers, fostering an award-winning atmosphere with a focus on technical excellence. PeopleTec offers continuing-education opportunities, robust training programs, and a "People First" benefits package to support long-term career growth.