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- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Information Technology Services Division, located in the Enterprise Operations Office of The Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking a Cyber Security Systems Engineer for our high security Special Program environments. This role will provide advanced systems engineering and administration, computing support, and specialized support services for the enablement of key research and administrative functions by ensuring the security, compliance, functionality, and reliability of systems through hands on configuration and support.
You will:
Perform system and security engineering including coordinating, designing, recommending, evaluating, and managing new and existing security services, controls, solutions, processes, and procedures
Monitor all ARL Special Program networks and provide a timely response to all cybersecurity incidents
Provide systems engineering and systems administration support for ARL Special Programs networks
Independently respond to alerts, tickets, tasks, user activity and requests, and events, generated by multiple security systems, IT teams, or units within the Special Program environment
Conduct risk assessments to determine residual level of risk and any required mitigations
Provide oversight of the installation and configuration of systems to comply with Government regulations and maintain compliance documentation
Collaborate with IT colleagues on the design of technical infrastructures targeting specific goals
Required skills and experience areas include:
An active TS/SCI security clearance with Counter-Intelligence poly
Current Security+ CE or CISSP certification, or other security related certification (CASP+, CySA+, or similar)
Strong understanding of cyber security, system administration, and networking fundamentals within a heterogeneous network environment
Operating and providing systems administration and support in a high-security research computing environment
Operational experience, in a government-regulated environment, with familiarity in security/event log auditing, definition and interpretation of audit requirements
Security plan development and/or continuous monitoring for compliance with security plans in a government-regulated environment
Linux endpoint configuration and security in a government-regulated environment
Windows and Linux operating system administration and secure configuration in a government-regulated environment
Experience with Cisco network infrastructure (switch, router, firewall) configuration, hardening, and security in a government-regulated environment
Vulnerability scanning and mitigation utilizing Nessus, ACAS, SCC, and STIG viewer in a government-regulated environment
Experience with VMWare and management of Virtual Machines in a government-regulated environment
Demonstrated effective problem solving, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to multitask, work effectively independently, as part of a team, and across multiple teams in various disciplines
Task and project leadership qualities, to include peer mentoring, progress reporting, ownership of responsibility, etc.
Preferred skills and experience include:
Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber and Information Security, Information Technology, or Computer Science
Additional vendor, cloud, or technology certifications
Assessment and Authorization with experience using RMF in a government-regulated environment
Knowledge and application of NIST 800-53, ICD 503, Department of Defense Directives, and regulatory
requirements in a government-regulated environmentExperience with SEIM management or use for analysis using Splunk in a government-regulated environment
This position will be located in Reston, VA, and will be fully on-site. Remote telework is not supported under the associated contract/s.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Cyber Security Engineer (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Cyber Security Engineer (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $110,520.00 - $209,640.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required geographic work location.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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Skills Required
- Active TS/SCI security clearance with Counter-Intelligence polygraph
- Current Security+ CE or CISSP or equivalent security certification (CASP+, CySA+, or similar)
- Strong understanding of cybersecurity, system administration, and networking fundamentals in heterogeneous environments
- Experience operating and providing systems administration/support in a high-security research computing environment
- Operational experience in a government-regulated environment with security/event log auditing and audit requirement interpretation
- Security plan development and continuous monitoring for compliance in a government-regulated environment
- Linux endpoint configuration and security in a government-regulated environment
- Windows and Linux operating system administration and secure configuration in a government-regulated environment
- Experience with Cisco network infrastructure configuration, hardening, and security (switches, routers, firewalls)
- Vulnerability scanning and mitigation using Nessus, ACAS, SCC, and STIG Viewer
- Experience with VMware and management of virtual machines in a government-regulated environment
- Demonstrated problem solving, communication, organizational skills, and ability to multitask and work independently and in teams
- Task and project leadership qualities including peer mentoring and progress reporting
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Successful completion of background checks and participation in drug testing and electronic/physical monitoring programs
- On-site work in Reston, VA (remote telework not supported under contract)
- Bachelor's Degree in Cyber and Information Security, Information Technology, Computer Science (preferred)
- Additional vendor, cloud, or technology certifications (preferred)
- Assessment and Authorization experience using RMF (preferred)
- Knowledge and application of NIST 800-53, ICD 503, DoD Directives, and related regulatory requirements (preferred)
- Experience with SIEM management or analysis using Splunk (preferred)
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
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What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
