Cyber Systems Engineer/Analyst
Johns Hopkins University APL
Laurel, MD · Posted October 14, 2026
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Rankings about security jobs
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How AI is used in this kind of work
Among software developers, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for software developers: 29% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
About the job
Description
Do you want to apply your skills to real world problems and gain experience with cyber operations?
Do you have an insatiable desire to create?
Are you intellectually curious, seeking to understand and find loopholes in systems and processes?
Are you passionate about cybersecurity, national security, and public service?
If these questions resonate with you, you may be a phenomenal fit for the Cyber Warfare Systems Group (QCR)!
QCR team members apply their skills to offensive security operations and non- kinetic mission defeat. We are passionate about providing cutting edge cyber capabilities that will change modern warfare. We are a team built around trust, clarity, growth, and mission impact. Our primary focus is on supporting the U.S. military's efforts to execute cyber missions at scale in support of joint operations. We do this by helping the nation execute complex and challenging cyber operations, and augmenting our experience with systems engineering principles.
Our research areas include analysis & targeting, cyber layer modeling, cybersecurity, and human systems modeling.
As a Cyber Operations Systems Engineer/Analyst, you will...
Have a detailed understanding of multiple layers of operational concepts, including mission, infrastructure, platform, service, and endpoints, and apply that knowledge to improving capabilities as they are developed, throughout the systems engineering lifecycle, and transitioned to the operational environment.
Apply your knowledge of systems engineering or analysis to ensure that cyber operations systems are being designed and developed in an effective, orderly manner.
Work with government stakeholders and decision makers to ensure systems under development meet their complex, varied operational needs, while communicating technical risk and limitations.
Collaborate with operational stakeholders to understand and document their needs, and translate them into well-defined requirements and a comprehensive architecture.
Lead efforts to design and develop systems to meet operational requirements, with a focus on capabilities to support cyber operations, by collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams and guiding them as the system proceeds through the systems engineering lifecycle.
Work with developers to ensure systems being built meet operational needs and requirements by incorporating standard, industry-accepted methodologies in testing, evaluation, and independent verification and validation (IV&V).
Utilize your expertise and experience to mentor and guide fellow team members and develop future leaders and technical experts.
Qualifications
You meet the minimum qualifications for this position if you...
Enjoy creating, building, and delivering solutions to challenging problems
Have a Bachelor's in an engineering or cybersecurity related field, or another degree and least 2 years of relevant military or government operational experience.
Have 5+ years demonstrated experience developing concepts, systems, or analytics, with an understanding of systems engineering or operational planning techniques.
Have excellent interpersonal skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills, good organizational skills, and ability to both lead and work in teams.
Have experience with DoD and/or IC cyber operations/mission forces.
Hold an active Top Secret level security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI Poly clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
Have a Masters in engineering, science or other related discipline.
Have 10+ years' experience in the design, development, and deployment of complex systems or analytics with a focus on full spectrum cyber operations.
Have experience in conducting research, development, and testing of offensive cyber capabilities.
Can use LLM-based agents to automate simple or complex tasks.
Have proficiency in defense-critical foreign languages.
Have an active TS/SCI clearance.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers .
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu .
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$290,000 Annually
Do you want to apply your skills to real world problems and gain experience with cyber operations?
Do you have an insatiable desire to create?
Are you intellectually curious, seeking to understand and find loopholes in systems and processes?
Are you passionate about cybersecurity, national security, and public service?
If these questions resonate with you, you may be a phenomenal fit for the Cyber Warfare Systems Group (QCR)!
QCR team members apply their skills to offensive security operations and non- kinetic mission defeat. We are passionate about providing cutting edge cyber capabilities that will change modern warfare. We are a team built around trust, clarity, growth, and mission impact. Our primary focus is on supporting the U.S. military's efforts to execute cyber missions at scale in support of joint operations. We do this by helping the nation execute complex and challenging cyber operations, and augmenting our experience with systems engineering principles.
Our research areas include analysis & targeting, cyber layer modeling, cybersecurity, and human systems modeling.
As a Cyber Operations Systems Engineer/Analyst, you will...
Have a detailed understanding of multiple layers of operational concepts, including mission, infrastructure, platform, service, and endpoints, and apply that knowledge to improving capabilities as they are developed, throughout the systems engineering lifecycle, and transitioned to the operational environment.
Apply your knowledge of systems engineering or analysis to ensure that cyber operations systems are being designed and developed in an effective, orderly manner.
Work with government stakeholders and decision makers to ensure systems under development meet their complex, varied operational needs, while communicating technical risk and limitations.
Collaborate with operational stakeholders to understand and document their needs, and translate them into well-defined requirements and a comprehensive architecture.
Lead efforts to design and develop systems to meet operational requirements, with a focus on capabilities to support cyber operations, by collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams and guiding them as the system proceeds through the systems engineering lifecycle.
Work with developers to ensure systems being built meet operational needs and requirements by incorporating standard, industry-accepted methodologies in testing, evaluation, and independent verification and validation (IV&V).
Utilize your expertise and experience to mentor and guide fellow team members and develop future leaders and technical experts.
You meet the minimum qualifications for this position if you...
Enjoy creating, building, and delivering solutions to challenging problems
Have a Bachelor's in an engineering or cybersecurity related field, or another degree and least 2 years of relevant military or government operational experience.
Have 5+ years demonstrated experience developing concepts, systems, or analytics, with an understanding of systems engineering or operational planning techniques.
Have excellent interpersonal skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills, good organizational skills, and ability to both lead and work in teams.
Have experience with DoD and/or IC cyber operations/mission forces.
Hold an active Top Secret level security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI Poly clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
Have a Masters in engineering, science or other related discipline.
Have 10+ years' experience in the design, development, and deployment of complex systems or analytics with a focus on full spectrum cyber operations.
Have experience in conducting research, development, and testing of offensive cyber capabilities.
Can use LLM-based agents to automate simple or complex tasks.
Have proficiency in defense-critical foreign languages.
Have an active TS/SCI clearance.