Jr. Cybersecurity Engineer

Imagineeer•Arlington, VA

1d•$80,000 - $90,000•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an enthusiastic Junior Assessment & Authorization (A&A) Cybersecurity Engineer to support the security compliance and authorization processes for our federal government clients. This is an entry-level opportunity designed for individuals who have a foundational understanding of cybersecurity or IT and are eager to grow their careers in federal cybersecurity. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a willingness to learn, collaborate with senior cybersecurity professionals, and develop expertise in federal security compliance frameworks, including the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) and FISMA requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science , or a related field
0–2 years of experience in cybersecurity, information technology, or related areas
CompTIA Security+ certification (or the ability to obtain it within 6 months of hire)
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance
Basic understanding of cybersecurity principles and concepts
Familiarity with NIST frameworks and standards , such as NIST 800-53
General knowledge of security controls, risk management, and compliance processes
Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate documentation
Good organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
Basic technical writing and documentation skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Ability to follow detailed instructions and standard operating procedures
Demonstrated aptitude for learning and applying new concepts and technologies
Good verbal and written communication skills
Team-oriented mindset and willingness to collaborate
Basic understanding of networking concepts (e.g., IP addresses, firewalls, protocols)
Strong desire and willingness to learn cybersecurity compliance frameworks and technologies

Nice To Haves

Previous internship, co-op, or academic project experience in cybersecurity or IT
Familiarity with the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF)
Understanding of FISMA compliance requirements
Basic experience with vulnerability scanning tools (e.g., Nessus, Qualys)
Exposure to security documentation (SSP, POA&M, SAR)
Experience working with federal government systems or environments
Additional cybersecurity certifications such as CAP, CEH, CASP+ , or CISSP (Associate)
Familiarity with documentation management systems (e.g., SharePoint, Confluence)
Basic scripting or programming knowledge (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell)
Exposure to Linux/Unix operating systems
Familiarity with cloud computing concepts (e.g., AWS, Azure, FedRAMP basics)
Experience with tracking tools such as JIRA or similar project management software
Interest in pursuing a career in security compliance, governance, and risk management

Responsibilities

Assist in gathering, organizing, and maintaining documentation for security authorization packages
Support the development and upkeep of System Security Plans (SSPs)
Help track and document Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&M)
Participate in security control assessments (SCA) under the guidance of senior staff
Assist in vulnerability scanning, tracking, and basic analysis
Maintain and update various security compliance documents
Collect and organize evidence for security controls implementation
Support continuous monitoring (ConMon) tasks to maintain system authorization
Participate in security meetings, working groups, and status reviews
Learn and apply the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) to real-world projects
Assist in preparing basic security documentation , reports, and checklists
Support system inventory maintenance and asset management
Help track security metrics and contribute to report generation
Assist with basic security testing activities under supervision