Senior Digital Forensic Analyst

Peraton•Arlington, VA

23h•$104,000 - $166,000•Onsite

About The Position

Peraton is currently seeking a Senior Digital Forensic Analyst to support Federal Strategic Cyber programs in the Cyber & Intelligence sector. In this role, you will conduct forensic examinations of digital data from cellphones, tablets, computers, removable media, cloud sources, and other platforms. You will apply recognized scientific practices to identify, analyze, interpret, and present digital evidence for criminal, civil, and administrative matters. You will perform detailed, targeted examinations in line with investigative objectives, legal process, and search warrant limitations. You will 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. You will analyze data from various operating systems and applications, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, cloud services, and common backup formats. You will produce clear, comprehensive reports that explain findings for investigators, prosecutors, and other stakeholders. You will provide expert witness testimony, explaining examination procedures and technical findings to non-technical audiences in federal, state, and local proceedings. You will provide on-site support during search warrant executions by identifying, collecting, packaging, documenting, and preserving digital evidence while maintaining strict chain of custody. You will work closely with program leadership and peers to maintain forensically sound procedures and best practices for acquisition, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence. You will conduct peer reviews and quality checks of reports and artifacts to ensure accuracy, completeness, and clarity before customer delivery. You will mentor new hires on CIF workflows, tools, and best practices to support effective onboarding and team performance. You will share lessons learned and emerging techniques with colleagues to enhance collective expertise. You will stay current on developments in digital forensics, cybersecurity, forensic law, mobile devices and applications, social media platforms, and encryption/decryption methods.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience; 7 years with a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD. An additional 4 years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
Must either possess and maintain, or obtain prior to start date, one of the following professional certifications: GIAC: GCFE, GASF– IACIS: CFCE, ICMDE– NCFI: BCERT, MDE– DC3: CDFE, CDMC– Opentext: EnCE– Cellebrite: CCO & CCPA, CCME– Oxygen Forensics: OFC– Magnet Forensics: MCFE
Demonstrated expertise with mobile and non‑mobile forensic tools such as Magnet Axiom, Cellebrite, and Oxygen, as well as advanced mobile extraction hardware and software.
Strong knowledge of Windows, 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.
Strong critical thinking, creativity, sound judgment, and the awareness to recognize when to seek guidance from leadership.
Ability to collaborate effectively and professionally with leadership, 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.
Experience conducting digital‑forensic examinations of mobile devices, computer systems, storage media, and cloud data across a broad range of case types.
Demonstrated proficiency with industry‑standard forensic tools—such as Cellebrite, Oxygen, Nuix, Axiom, X‑Ways, and similar—to perform in‑depth analysis of mobile and computer operating systems, file systems, iOS, and third‑party application data.
Ability to prepare evidentiary exhibits for judicial proceedings and provide expert testimony on forensic methods and findings.
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 security clearance prior to start date.
Ability to obtain a final Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

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 peer reviews and quality checks of reports and artifacts to ensure accuracy, completeness, and clarity before customer delivery.
Mentor new hires on CIF workflows, tools, and best practices to support effective onboarding and team performance.
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.