Senior Zero Trust Systems Engineer

Markon•Fort Meade, MD

1d•$230,000 - $240,000

About The Position

Markon is seeking a Senior Zero Trust Systems Engineer to support the Fort Meade customer by leading systems engineering and cybersecurity initiatives that strengthen the security and resiliency of large-scale Department of Defense systems. This role applies systems engineering principles and Zero Trust architecture concepts to assess complex enterprise environments, identify vulnerabilities, and enhance Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO). As a technical leader, the Senior Zero Trust Systems Engineer partners with Government stakeholders to develop secure system architectures, validate cybersecurity requirements, mentor engineering teams, and advance mission-critical Zero Trust capabilities.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI W/ Poly clearance required with this Customer.
Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 15+ years of systems engineering experience. A Bachelor's degree may be credited as 4 years of experience and a Master's degree as an additional 2 years, consistent with customer requirements.
Minimum 6 years of experience leading systems engineering teams across complex technical organizations.
Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or assessing Zero Trust architectures and cybersecurity principles.
Experience performing cybersecurity assessments of large-scale Department of Defense or Intelligence Community systems.
Experience conducting enterprise vulnerability assessments using systems engineering methodologies.
Experience performing Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) of security requirements and system capabilities.
Experience evaluating technical proposals, system architectures, engineering documentation, and cybersecurity requirements.
Strong knowledge of systems engineering lifecycle processes, requirements development, systems integration, risk management, and secure architecture principles.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, mentor engineers, and collaborate across Government and contractor organizations.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and customer engagement skills.

Nice To Haves

Cybersecurity certification such as Security+, CISSP, CEH, or equivalent.
Familiarity with NIST SP 800-160 Systems Security Engineering guidance.
Knowledge of INCOSE systems engineering lifecycle processes.
Experience supporting large-scale Department of Defense or Intelligence Community enterprise systems.
Experience with systems resiliency engineering, enterprise architecture, or secure systems acquisition.
Experience leading Zero Trust modernization initiatives supporting national security missions.

Responsibilities

Lead systems engineering activities supporting Zero Trust initiatives across large-scale Department of Defense systems.
Perform cybersecurity assessments using an Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO) mindset to strengthen Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) capabilities.
Conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments by analyzing system architectures, design documentation, build specifications, interface documentation, and engineering artifacts.
Perform independent verification and validation (IV&V) of cybersecurity requirements, security controls, and system capabilities.
Incorporate systems security engineering and resiliency principles into acquisition documentation, including Performance Work Statements (PWS), technical requirements, and engineering plans.
Evaluate contractor proposals to assess systems resiliency, cybersecurity posture, and technical compliance with Government requirements.
Develop technical recommendations that improve Zero Trust implementations and strengthen enterprise security.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to Systems Engineers by managing workload priorities, fostering professional development, and promoting engineering excellence.
Build and maintain strong relationships with Government customers and mission partners to obtain technical information and improve mission outcomes.
Lead engineering reviews, technical risk assessments, architecture discussions, and system lifecycle activities supporting enterprise modernization.