Cyber Architect SME

Peraton•Bethesda, MD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe and connected. We’re looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world’s most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration. At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission — you’ll define it. Help shape the future of U.S. airspace safety, resilience, and innovation. We are seeking a Cyber Architect SME to lead the design and governance of advanced cybersecurity architectures supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In this highly influential role, you will serve as a trusted cybersecurity advisor, guiding how complex, mission-critical aviation systems are secured as they modernize. You’ll shape enterprise-level security strategy, influence architecture decisions at scale, mentor technical teams, and ensure FAA solutions meet and exceed — federal cybersecurity, RMF, and Zero Trust requirements. Whether you are a seasoned architect or a senior leader ready to drive enterprise outcomes, your expertise will directly protect national infrastructure and the millions of travelers who rely on safe, secure air travel every day. Work Location: This position will work on site in the DC Metro area. Once operations are fully established, we will consider telework options however, this is not guaranteed. Why This Role Matters The FAA is the backbone of aviation safety and innovation in the United States. As a Cyber Architect (SME), you will help defend the systems that power the National Airspace System, ensuring new technologies are integrated securely, risks are proactively managed, and trust in U.S. aviation remains unshakable. This role goes beyond architecture diagrams and controls. It’s about protecting national infrastructure, enabling modernization with confidence, and safeguarding the systems that millions of travelers depend on every single day.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship Required.
Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance.
Bachelor’s degree and 12 years’ experience or Masters degree and 10 years’ experience or Associate’s degree and 14 years’ experience or HS diploma/equivalent and 16 years’ experience.
Proven ability to lead cybersecurity initiatives across large, complex federal programs.
Deep expertise in NIST 800-53, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, FISMA, FedRAMP, DISA STIGs/SRGs.
Strong experience with Risk Management Framework (RMF) and system authorization processes.
Expertise in network security, identity and access management, and cloud security.
Experience with enterprise security architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, DoDAF, or SABSA.
Familiarity with federal cloud security guidance (FedRAMP, TIC 3.0, CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model).
Proficiency with modern cybersecurity tools and platforms.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience supporting FAA , DOT or National Airspace System (NAS) environments.
Degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or related discipline.
Familiarity with aviation or critical infrastructure security requirements.
Industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCSP, AWS Certified Security – Specialty.
Experience contributing to federal cybersecurity policy or guidance development.
Familiarity with FAA NextGen or large-scale system modernization efforts.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, review, and oversight of cybersecurity architectures across FAA modernization initiatives.
Ensure solutions align with NIST standards, RMF, Zero Trust principles, and FAA cybersecurity requirements.
Serve as a strategic advisor to FAA leadership on cybersecurity posture, emerging threats, and risk mitigation.
Develop and maintain enterprise security reference architectures that guide system design and integration.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers, analysts, and program teams.
Partner with program managers, systems engineers, and subcontractors to ensure secure, scalable system integration.
Conduct cybersecurity risk assessments, gap analyses, and architecture trade studies.
Support system authorization, accreditation, and continuous monitoring activities.
Contribute SME insight to proposal development, technical evaluations, and modernization planning.
Prepare executive-level briefings, reports, and recommendations on cybersecurity initiatives.
Stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape, cloud security practices, and Zero Trust advancements.