Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in District of Columbia are heavily concentrated in federal government contracting, defense intelligence, and policy-driven cybersecurity work, making D.C. one of the most active markets in the country for this role at every level from junior analyst to senior architect. Most openings cluster in Washington itself, with additional activity in the broader metro corridors near Bethesda and Arlington, where major employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and CACI International maintain large workforces of cleared and uncleared cybersecurity engineers. The most in-demand specializations here are threat intelligence, cloud security, and security operations center work tied to federal compliance frameworks. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Tharros supports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with cybersecurity services across its Intelligence Enterprise. In support of this mission, we have an immediate opportunity for a Junior Cybersecurity Engineer.
In this role you will support cybersecurity engineering across enterprise audit, cloud and Zero Trust architecture, security tooling, and DevSecOps. You will maintain security tools, automate STIG compliance, and help build the dashboards and Zero Trust roadmap the enterprise relies on. This position is on-site in a Government SCIF in Washington, DC.
- Maintain and update cybersecurity tools including ACAS/Nessus, SCAP, SonarQube, and GitLab.
- Update Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) quarterly and Nessus plug-in IDs monthly.
- Develop and troubleshoot scripts that automate STIG application and validation within the DevSecOps pipeline.
- Organize security tool data into near-real-time dashboards in the GRC or approved tool.
- Support implementation of ICS 500-27 enterprise audit requirements and build audit review dashboards with ISSOs.
- Support Zero Trust capability gap analysis, the Zero Trust roadmap, and Zero Trust dashboards.
- Maintain a tracking tool for network device end-of-life and end-of-service dates.
Requirements:
- BS degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or Computer Science OR minimum of 4 years' experience in IT or cybersecurity.
- Minimum of 1 year of experience in security engineering, systems administration, or DevSecOps.
- Active Top Secret clearance with contingency on DOD CAS granting SCI eligibility.
- Proficiency with automation tools to include but not limited to Python, PowerShell, or shell scripting languages.
- Knowledge of DISA STIGs and configuration compliance scanning.
- Knowledge of audit logging concepts for Windows and Linux systems.
- Knowledge of Zero Trust architecture principles.
- Skill in using Nessus/ACAS or SCAP tools.
- Ability to troubleshoot tool and script issues.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite to include Teams or similar workplace chat and videoconferencing tools.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills.
Desired
- CompTIA Security+ or an AWS/Azure fundamentals certification.
- Experience with GitLab CI/CD or Splunk.
See All 27 Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Cybersecurity Engineer JobsCybersecurity Engineer Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Cybersecurity Engineer Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in cybersecurity engineer jobs across District of Columbia.
- Active DoD security clearance, at minimum Secret, strongly preferred for most federal roles
- Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a closely related technical field
- Certifications such as CISSP, Security+, or CEH required or strongly preferred by most employers
- Hands-on experience with SIEM tools, vulnerability management platforms, and intrusion detection systems
- Familiarity with NIST, FedRAMP, or FISMA compliance frameworks for federal or government contractor roles
- Experience conducting penetration testing, incident response, or security architecture design in enterprise environments
Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cybersecurity engineer in District of Columbia?
Cybersecurity engineering in D.C. does not require a district-issued license, but the hiring path is shaped heavily by federal requirements. Most employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or cybersecurity, paired with industry certifications like CISSP, CISM, or CompTIA Security+. Because so much of D.C.'s market is federal contracting, obtaining a DoD security clearance early, often through an entry-level government contractor role, is the single most impactful step a candidate can take.
How much do cybersecurity engineers make in District of Columbia?
Cybersecurity engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of about $135,090 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $86,280 for the lowest 10% to over $189,510 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire cybersecurity engineers in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring cybersecurity engineers in District of Columbia right now include SpaceX, tharros, and MTSI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. D.C.'s federal contracting ecosystem means large defense and IT services firms consistently post the highest volume of cybersecurity engineer openings in the district.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most cybersecurity engineer jobs?
The cities with the most cybersecurity engineer openings in District of Columbia are Washington. Washington dominates the market because it is home to federal agencies, defense contractors, and intelligence community partners, while adjacent areas like Bethesda attract National Institutes of Health and government-affiliated technology firms that also generate consistent demand for cleared and uncleared cybersecurity talent.
Are there remote cybersecurity engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, though the share is lower than in most technology fields because a significant portion of D.C.-area roles require on-site work to support classified environments or government facilities. About 56% of cybersecurity engineer openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, concentrated in compliance, cloud security architecture, and security engineering roles that do not require access to classified systems or sensitive on-premises infrastructure.
How can I get hired as a cybersecurity engineer in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in D.C. is through a junior security analyst or IT help desk role at a federal contractor, where employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and SAIC run associate and entry-level programs that provide on-the-job training alongside clearance sponsorship. CompTIA Security+ certification gives candidates without prior experience a concrete credential that satisfies baseline requirements for many contractor junior roles, and transitioning from adjacent positions such as network technician or systems administrator is a well-established path into the cybersecurity engineering track.
Where can I find and apply to cybersecurity engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to cybersecurity engineer jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the district across federal contracting, private sector, and nonprofit employers. Search the listings, find roles that match your clearance level, certifications, and experience, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 27 Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
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