Cybersecurity Analyst - Senior (w/ active TS)

Cybersecurity Analyst - Senior (w/ active TS)

Location: Alexandria, VA

Clearance: Active Top Secret

Full-time/ On-site

JOB DESCRIPTION

Critical Solutions is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Analyst to support our Federal customer in Alexandria, VA.

PRIMARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Protect organization's critical systems, data, and networks from advanced cyber threats.
• Lead threat detection, incident response, and risk mitigation efforts while mentoring junior analysts and contributing to the development of cybersecurity strategies.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to implement best practices, ensure compliance, and strengthen the organization's cybersecurity posture.
• Act as a mentor and technical resource for junior and mid-level analysts, providing guidance on threat analysis, incident response, and best practices.
• Lead security operations center (SOC) teams or incident response efforts, ensuring effective coordination and communication across stakeholders.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of advanced persistent threats (APTs), zero-day vulnerabilities, and nation-state actors, providing actionable intelligence to leadership.
• Develop and refine threat hunting strategies to proactively detect and mitigate potential attacks.
• Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of incident response efforts for high-severity security incidents, including containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis.
• Lead forensic investigations to determine the root cause of incidents, identify Indicators of Compromise (IOCs), and assess the broader impact on systems.
• Develop and maintain cybersecurity policies, playbooks, and incident response procedures in alignment with organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic recommendations to enhance the organization's overall cybersecurity posture and minimize risk.
• Prioritize and assess vulnerabilities based on potential impact, criticality, and exploitability, and recommend remediation strategies to stakeholders.
• Work closely with system architects and engineers to assess risks associated with new projects, technologies, or configurations.
• Act as a liaison between the organization and external threat intelligence providers, law enforcement, and government agencies
• Integrate threat intelligence into the organization's monitoring, detection, and response processes, ensuring proactive defenses.
• Lead efforts to ensure compliance with frameworks like RMF, NIST SP 800-53, and FISMA for audits and system accreditations.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations for executive leadership, summarizing security events, metrics, and trends.
• Evaluate and recommend new security tools and technologies to enhance detection, analysis, and response capabilities.
• Develop custom scripts or tools (e.g., Python, PowerShell) for automating threat detection, log analysis, or incident response workflows.
• Work with system architects, DevSecOps teams, and software developers to incorporate security requirements into system designs and software pipelines.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active Top Secret security clearance required. Must be U.S. Citizen.
• Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of prior relevant experience; additional work experience or Cyber courses/certifications may be substituted in lieu of degree.
• IAT level III
• Understanding of network protocols, operating systems, and cybersecurity threats (e.g., malware, phishing, ransomware).
• Experience with scripting or automation tools (e.g., Python, PowerShell) is a plus.
• Proficiency with cybersecurity tools, such as SIEM (Splunk, ArcSight), vulnerability management platforms (Tenable, Qualys), and IAM systems.
• Experience with secure software development and DevSecOps practices.

LOCATION:

• On site in Alexandria, VA
• Must be willing and able to commute to Alexandria, VA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Clearance Requirement: Possess an active DoD Top Secret Clearance. In addition, selected candidate must undergo background investigation (BI) and finger printing by the federal agency and successfully pass the preceding to qualify for the position. US CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED.

CRITICAL SOLUTIONS PAY AND BENEFITS:

Salary range $130,000 - $168,000. The salary range for this position represent the typical salary range for this job level and this does not guarantee a specific salary. Compensation is based upon multiple factors such as responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, certifications, and other requirements.

BENEFIT SNAPSHOT: 100% premium coverage for Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Supplemental Insurance, 401K matching, Flexible Time Off (PTO/Holidays), Higher Education/Training Reimbursement, and more.