Junior Digital Forensic Analyst

Peraton•Arlington, VA

14h•Onsite

About The Position

Peraton is seeking a Junior Digital Forensic Analyst to join their Federal Strategic Cyber program within the Cyber & Intelligence sector. The Computer Investigations and Forensics Division (CIF) focuses on recovering and analyzing digital evidence to support criminal, cyber, and administrative investigations for the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The digital forensics laboratory utilizes advanced technologies, decryption methods, and forensic tools to examine a wide range of digital media. This role involves solving complex investigative challenges, ensuring digital evidence is admissible in court, and conducting forensic examinations of various digital devices and cloud sources. Analysts apply scientific practices to identify, analyze, interpret, and present digital evidence for legal matters. The position requires performing detailed examinations aligned with investigative objectives and legal constraints, using industry-standard forensic tools, and analyzing data from diverse operating systems and applications. Responsibilities include producing comprehensive reports, providing expert witness testimony, and offering on-site support during evidence collection while maintaining chain of custody. Collaboration with leadership and peers is essential for maintaining forensically sound procedures and conducting quality checks. Continuous learning about digital forensics, cybersecurity, and related fields is expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 1+ year of relevant experience. An additional 4 years of relevant experience without a degree.
One of the following certifications, with continued certification required as a condition of employment: GIAC: GCFE or GASF, IACIS: CFCE or ICMDE, NCFI: BCERT or MDE, DoD: CDFE, OpenText: EnCE, Cellebrite: CCO+CCPA or CCME, Oxygen Forensics: OFC, Magnet Forensics: MCFE, X-Ways: XPERT
Demonstrated proficiency with mobile and non-mobile forensic software tools such as Magnet Axiom, Cellebrite, and Oxygen, as well as advanced mobile extraction hardware and software.
Working knowledge of Windows and macOS, Apple iOS, Android, and their associated backup technologies.
Experience writing detailed, technically accurate reports that clearly communicate complex digital forensic findings to non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated strong critical thinking, creativity, sound judgment, and awareness to recognize when to seek leadership guidance.
Ability to collaborate effectively and professionally with leadership, peers, forensic analysts, law enforcement, prosecutors, CIF customers, and other stakeholders at all levels to deliver high quality forensic products.
Willingness and ability to travel for on-scene evidence seizures, training, and/or testimony.
Commitment to staying current on advancements in digital forensics, cybersecurity, forensic law, mobile technologies, social media, applications, and encryption.
U.S. citizenship required.
Ability to obtain an interim Secret clearance before starting.
Ability to obtain and maintain a final Top-Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Solve complex investigative challenges and ensures digital evidence meets Department of Justice court-admissibility standards.
Conduct forensic examinations of digital data from cellphones, tablets, computers, removable media, cloud sources, and other platforms.
Apply recognized scientific practices to identify, analyze, interpret, and present digital evidence for criminal, civil, and administrative matters.
Perform detailed, targeted examinations in line with investigative objectives, legal process, and search warrant limitations.
Use industry-standard forensic tools—such as Cellebrite (including Inseyets), Oxygen Forensic Detective, Magnet Forensics GrayKey and Axiom, Nuix, X-Ways, and similar for extraction and examination.
Analyze data from various operating systems and applications, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, cloud services, and common backup formats.
Produce clear, comprehensive reports that explain findings for investigators, prosecutors, and other stakeholders.
Provide expert witness testimony, explaining examination procedures and technical findings to non-technical audiences in federal, state, and local proceedings.
Provide on-site support during search warrant executions by identifying, collecting, packaging, documenting, and preserving digital evidence while maintaining strict chain of custody.
Work closely with program leadership and peers to maintain forensically sound procedures and best practices for acquisition, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence.
Conduct quality checks of artifacts to ensure accuracy, completeness, and clarity before customer delivery.
Share lessons learned and emerging techniques with colleagues to enhance collective expertise.
Stay current on developments in digital forensics, cybersecurity, forensic law, mobile devices and applications, social media platforms, and encryption/decryption methods.