Senior Cybersecurity Engineer

Location: Arlington, VA

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Nightwing supports a U.S. Government customer on a mission‑critical program to design, build, deliver, and operate a next‑generation network operations environment. As part of CISA IT’s broader consolidation and modernization vision, this role contributes directly to the establishment of team dedicated to maintaining a Cyber Threat Intelligence Database. This role will also contribute to the creation, maintenance, and expansion of such a system across multiple domains. We are seeking a Senior Linux Administrator with strong database, automation, and cloud integration experience to help shape and execute this forward‑leaning effort. This position plays a key role in enhancing cybersecurity posture, improving operational efficiency, and working with key external partners to support a highly complex Threat Intelligence platform.

 

Job Responsibilities:

• Standardize processes across multiple CISA environments
• Prioritize critical updates aligned with CISA IT cybersecurity objectives
• Integrate automation and intelligent systems to reduce manual effort
• Strengthen collaboration between CISA teams, government sponsors, and tenants
• Improve transparency, metrics, and operational agility
• Leverage deep technical expertise to automate tasks and optimize system performance
• Support cloud environments while contributing to the development of enterprise‑wide patching standards and best practices
• Engineer and maintain Linux system architectures (primarily RHEL 8/9/10 and AWS Linux)
• Perform OS security hardening, patching, and lifecycle maintenance
• Manage backup, recovery, and configuration documentation to ensure system integrity
• Engineer the design and implementation of standardized patching methodologies across AWS, AZURE, Google Cloud environments
• Prioritize and execute critical updates in alignment with CISA IT Patch Management Guidelines
• Participate in efforts to refine workflows, metrics, and operational processes.
• Integrate AWS, AZURE and Google native services to enhance performance, resilience, and scalability of patching and DevOps infrastructure
• Evaluate and implement AI capabilities into the Threat Intelligence Platform.
• Contribute to enterprise cloud and DevOps standards, guidelines, and best practices
• Serve as a central conduit between ESS teams, government sponsors, and tenants.
• Establish and track metrics such as patch compliance, deployment timelines, and automation achievements
• Support iterative improvements based on stakeholder feedback and operational data.
• Follow established testing and implementation methods to ensure stability and interoperability of vendor provided patches and code.
• Recreate unique circumstances within a database to reproduce issues experienced by users and analyze database behavior for potential solutions.
• Coordinate and work with external experts from multiple vendors simultaneously to troubleshoot complex issues in a highly integrated environment supporting both a complex database as well as multiple dependent applications.

 

Required Skills:

• Must be a US Citizen
• Must have an active TS/SCI clearance
• Must be able to obtain DHS Suitability
• 5+ years of Linux systems administration experience (RHEL 8/9/10 preferred)
• Strong background in Linux Engineering
• Experience with PostgreSQL databases
• Experience with performance tuning and troubleshooting across compute, network, and storage layers
• Experience with general networking concepts or AWS specific networking and security.
• undefinedDesired Skills:Experience in development environmentsExperience in Classified EnvironmentsExperience with SELinux, multilevel security systems, or Cross Domain SolutionsExperience coordinating with external vendors to communicate customer needs and feature requests.Experience with HTTP API’s and authentication using API keys and OAuth Tokens Required Education: BS Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Computer Systems Engineering or related degree or HS Diploma and 7+ years lab management or systems administration experience. Desired Certifications:DoD 8570.1 IAT Level IICompTIA Linux+Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator (RHCSA)

 

Syndeo: ESS-3663

Salary & Benefits

The salary associated with this position ($99,000-$206,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.

Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.

Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.