Cybersecurity Principal

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is seeking an experienced cybersecurity professional for a System Cybersecurity Principal position supporting critical Air Force programs at Hanscom AFB. This role requires advanced technical expertise in system security, threat detection, vulnerability analysis, and cyber operations. You'll help strengthen system security, identify emerging threats, and provide technical recommendations to support mission readiness.

Why Work with Us?

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is a world-class provider of technically integrated solutions, delivering premier talent and technology to support critical customer missions.

Recognized as a Best Places to Work nominee since 2020, ARS understands that our employees are the foundation of our success. We prioritize our people by providing opportunities for professional growth, meaningful mission work, and a healthy work/life balance.

Our employees benefit from a competitive benefits package, awards and recognition programs, and personalized attention from ARS senior leadership. At ARS, you'll be part of a team where your contributions matter.

Responsibilities Include:

• Apply in-depth knowledge of Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements and system authorizations.
•  Map RMF security controls to the technologies and tools used within each system.
• Identify security gaps and recommend technical solutions to reduce risk.
• Use SIEM/SOAR tools, such as Splunk, to monitor system security.
• Build dashboards to track threats, system activity, and security events.
• Configure alerts to support Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring. 
• Analyze system logs, including audit, security, and application logs, to investigate suspicious activity and support incident response.
• Monitor systems for potential attacks, intrusions, unusual activity, and unauthorized use. Distinguish actual threats from normal system activity.
• Investigate malicious activity to determine how systems were compromised, what vulnerabilities were exploited, and the potential impact.
• Correlate security events from multiple enterprise sources to understand attack activity, identify patterns, and assess potential threats.
• Identify and test system and network vulnerabilities through penetration testing, red teaming, and ethical hacking.
• Develop and implement cybersecurity solutions for cloud-based systems, devices, and networks.
• Apply advanced technical expertise in network exploitation, malware development, and reverse engineering to assess threats and system vulnerabilities.
• Prepare and deliver technical cybersecurity briefings and recommendations to senior Department of the Air Force (DAF) cybersecurity leadership.
• Will perform other duties as assigned.

What Your First 90 Days Will Look Like:

During your first three months, you'll become familiar with the Air Force program, its systems, security requirements, and current cybersecurity operations.

• Learn the system architecture, existing security controls, RMF authorization status, cyber tools, monitoring processes, and key program stakeholders.

• Begin evaluating security controls, reviewing SIEM/SOAR dashboards, analyzing system logs, and identifying potential vulnerabilities or gaps in existing security practices.

• Take ownership of assigned cybersecurity activities, provide technical recommendations, support threat investigations, and brief program leadership on findings and potential improvements.

What Success Looks Like Through Your First Year:

You'll be an established technical resource for the program, helping strengthen cybersecurity capabilities and providing actionable guidance to Air Force leadership.

• Maintaining strong visibility into system security, RMF compliance, and authorization requirements.

• Improving threat monitoring through effective SIEM/SOAR dashboards, alerts, and event analysis.

• Identifying security vulnerabilities and recommending practical mitigation strategies.

• Supporting timely investigation and response to potential cyber incidents.

• Improving the correlation and analysis of security events across enterprise systems.

• Contributing to vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and advanced threat analysis.

• Developing and recommending cybersecurity improvements for cloud environments and network infrastructure.

• Providing clear, actionable technical briefings to senior DAF cybersecurity leadership.

• Building trusted working relationships with government customers, program leadership, and technical teams.

Qualifications / Technical Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field, plus 10+ years of cybersecurity experience. 6+ years within a DoD environment.

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

The annual salary range: $200k - $220k. Salary is dependent upon the role and associated responsibilities, candidate's experience, and qualifications to include education/training, and key skills.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.