Applications Engineer 4 (Active TS/SCI Clearance with Full Scope Polygraph Required)

Position: Applications Engineer 4

Location: Fort Meade, MD

Employment Type: Full-Time

Clearance Requirement: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph

Salary Range: $120,000 – $160,000 / year (dependent on experience, education, and skill set)

About the Role

Seeking a senior Applications Engineer (Level 4) to design software tools, lead enterprise applications engineering, and maintain mission-critical security tool suites in Fort Meade, MD.

In this role, you will lead the design, implementation, and sustainment of software subsystems supporting reuse and domain analysis within Enterprise IT and IC GovCloud environments. You will monitor and maintain the health of specialized security tools (including NISIRT systems), analyze emerging vulnerabilities, perform gap analyses and Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), integrate COTS/GOTS solutions, and guide engineering task personnel through full-lifecycle development and deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Continuously monitor, maintain, upgrade, and patch security tool suites and NISIRT systems to ensure 24/7 operational readiness and data integrity.
  

• Perform vulnerability and deficiency analyses across Enterprise IT / IC GovCloud tool suites, executing gap analyses and researching commercial product replacements.
  

• Conduct Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and author comprehensive Technical Analysis packages and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) for government evaluation.
  

• Design, code, test, debug, and document custom software tools, web front-ends, and GUI interfaces to streamline scanning tool data retrieval and user workflows.
  

• Integrate, test, and enhance COTS/GOTS software and supporting hardware for full interoperability across cloud and on-premises enterprise architectures.
  

• Define and implement robust access controls, security service interfaces, and configuration plans.
  

• Direct and review the technical work of task personnel, providing quality assurance and cost/schedule estimates.
  

• Coordinate testing, integration, and enterprise deployment with external system owners, and conduct instruction/training for authorized users on newly fielded capabilities.
  

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI with a current Polygraph.
  

• Core Engineering & Tool Sustainment: Extensive experience monitoring, maintaining, and upgrading enterprise security tools and associated database systems.
  

• Vulnerability & Gap Analysis: Proven track record conducting gap analyses, evaluating COTS/GOTS cybersecurity products, and delivering technical trade study packages.
  

• System Integration: Demonstrated capability designing GUI/web interfaces, implementing access controls, and integrating data ingestion pipelines with scanning tools.
  

• Full-Lifecycle Leadership: Experience managing software configurations, authoring ECPs, leading QA evaluations, and conducting technical training for end users.
  

Desired Qualifications

• Education & Experience (in a directly related technical field):
  

  • Doctorate degree plus at least 2 years of relevant experience, OR
    

  • Master’s degree plus at least 4 years of relevant experience, OR
    

  • Bachelor’s degree plus at least 6 years of relevant experience, OR
    

  • Associate degree plus at least 8 years of relevant experience, OR
    

  • High School Diploma / GED plus at least 10 years of relevant experience.
    

• Hands-on experience with IC GovCloud architecture, formal CASE tools, and enterprise data flow diagramming.
  

Benefits & Compensation

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees both personally and professionally:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  

• Basic Life and Disability Insurance
  

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
  

• Paid Parental Leave
  

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
  

• Tuition Reimbursement for ongoing education and professional development
  

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.