Cyber and Electronic Attack Targeting SME

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) seeks an experienced Cyber and Electronic Attack Targeting SME to aid in the design, development, improvement, and integration of software and analytic methodologies to support assessment of weapon system vulnerability and exposure to non-kinetic threats.

Duties will consist of leveraging and applying cyber effects knowledge and experience to generate and evaluate developing technologies and methodologies for cyber-enabled planning and assessment of targeting operations.

The successful applicant will perform as a Non-Kinetic Integration Targeting SME defining, refining, and assisting in implementing a POAM (AF Targeting Flight Plan) to meet Air Force needs for non-kinetic integration requirements in support of multi-domain operations. In this role you will ensure identified capability gaps are operationally relevant to users across all sub-disciplines of targeting. Position will require the analysis of large amounts of structured and unstructured data to analyze and model target networks as well as survey offensive capabilities to generate effects. Position requires the ability to identify hardware and software vulnerabilities through open source research. You will propose, record, and implement new requirements, processes, procedures and activities as directed to support related non-kinetic integration responsibilities for the impacted Air Force and Joint community.

You will use our proprietary cyber mission planning toolset to:

• Characterize weapon system networks and supporting architectures, including both OT and IT protocols
• Create functional models
• Characterize capabilities
• Perform vulnerability analysis

As a cyber SME, you must have the technical background to perform cyber risk assessment and threat analysis based on identified vulnerabilities, network configuration and threat actor research. You will build representative weapons system IT/OT models to support testing and experimentation. Occasional travel is required.

Cyber and Electronic Attack Targeting SME Requirements:

• US Citizen required
• Active Secret Security Clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI with CI poly
• B.S. degree with 5-7 years of relevant work experience (or M.S. degree with 3-5 years of relevant work experience) in non-kinetic effects (Cyberspace and Electronic Attack operations) intelligence analysis and targeting knowledge
• Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) experience, with additional intelligence discipline (e.g., GEOINT, MASINT, etc.) experience/training desired
• Familiarity with DoD Modeling and Simulation (M&S) tools applicable to the joint targeting and joint operations planning processes
• Experience or knowledge of researching, eliciting, defining, and refining targeting model, visualization, and database requirements for targeting support automation systems

Cyber and Electronic Attack Targeting SME Preferences:

• Top Secret/SCI with active CI poly Security Clearance
• Previous experience as an exploitation analyst
• Experience in the use of network simulation software such as the Microsoft Visio suite of tools or equivalent
• Programmatic experience with offensive cyber operations capability development efforts
• Operational experience integrating cyber planning, execution monitoring, and assessment considerations with joint targeting cycle operations
• Knowledge and experience with kinetic targeting capabilities (e.g. Joint Targeting Toolbox), methodologies (e.g. joint targeting cycle), and aids (e.g. Joint Munitions Effectiveness Manuals)
• Software developer skills (particularly application programming interface efforts)
• Certified Ethical Hacker qualification

About Us:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company known for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. We were founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979 as the disco era was, thankfully, closing out and the personal computer era was beginning. We employ over 2,182 professionals and continue to grow. ARA offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA prides ourselves on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. At ARA, employees are our greatest assets, so we give our employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take active roles as owners. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. The company realizes employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. 

To find out more about what the Software Enterprise Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits