Systems Security Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Systems Security Engineer jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in and around Washington DC, where federal agencies, defense contractors, and cybersecurity firms like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and SAIC maintain large and active workforces. Demand is strongest in cloud security architecture, threat intelligence, and zero-trust implementation, with openings at every level from associate to principal engineer. Washington DC ranks among the most active markets in the country for this specialty, driven by the density of cleared-facility work and federal compliance requirements. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 46+ Systems Security Engineer jobs
Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO)
Location: Washington, DC (Onsite initially)
Clearance: Top Secret
Status: Exempt
Responsibilities:
Work as part of the IT Security Support Team which manages and operates an information systems security program for a U.S. government customer. The successful candidate will:
- Provide technical support in the areas of vulnerability assessment, risk assessment, network security, product evaluation, security implementation, and remediation.
- Provide technical assistance in the designing and implementation of solutions for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive information.
- Provide technical support and analysis in the identification, evaluation, investigation, and remediation of cyber and insider threats.
- Provide technical evaluations of Civil Division systems and assist with making security improvements.
- Participate in design of information system contingency plans that maintain appropriate levels of protection and meet time requirements for minimizing operations impact to the Civil Division.
- Performs assessment of present levels of cyber security, offer recommendations on levels of risk, training personnel in proper cyber security protocols.
- Conduct security product evaluations, and recommend products, technologies and upgrades to improve the Civil Division systems security posture.
- Conduct testing and audit log reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of current security measures.
- Participate in the management of accreditation of the Civil Division systems evaluating and certifying the implementation FISMA, the NIST security guidelines, and the Department's plans, policies and guidelines.
Qualifications:
- Will be required to work onsite in Washington DC (hybrid - 5 days onsite to start with a transition to 3 days).
- B.S. in Information Technology or a closely related field.
- 7+ years of progressive, technical (hands-on) experience in Information Assurance C&A.
- Experience working as an ISSO supporting federal government information systems.
- Experience with ISO, NIST and US Government standards and cybersecurity frameworks (e.g. FISMA, FIPS, HSPD), system administration.
- Experience with ITS Publication 1075 for safeguarding of Federal Tax Information (TFI).
- IT security management, engineering, and analysis experience.
- Must have active CISSP, CEH or CISM certification.
- Active Top Secret clearance.
Salary: $110,000 - $180,000
About Us
IntelliDyne, LLC empowers government organizations through the delivery of quality, mission-aligned services and innovative, people-first IT solutions. IntelliDyne has earned the designation of a Top Workplace by providing an inclusive and supportive environment where employees have a voice and are challenged to provide innovative solutions to our clients of national, state, and local importance.
For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact staffing@intellidyne-llc.com or 703-575-9715.
Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO)
Location: Washington, DC (Onsite initially)
Clearance: Top Secret
Status: Exempt
Responsibilities:
Work as part of the IT Security Support Team which manages and operates an information systems security program for a U.S. government customer. The successful candidate will:
- Provide technical support in the areas of vulnerability assessment, risk assessment, network security, product evaluation, security implementation, and remediation.
- Provide technical assistance in the designing and implementation of solutions for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive information.
- Provide technical support and analysis in the identification, evaluation, investigation, and remediation of cyber and insider threats.
- Provide technical evaluations of Civil Division systems and assist with making security improvements.
- Participate in design of information system contingency plans that maintain appropriate levels of protection and meet time requirements for minimizing operations impact to the Civil Division.
- Performs assessment of present levels of cyber security, offer recommendations on levels of risk, training personnel in proper cyber security protocols.
- Conduct security product evaluations, and recommend products, technologies and upgrades to improve the Civil Division systems security posture.
- Conduct testing and audit log reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of current security measures.
- Participate in the management of accreditation of the Civil Division systems evaluating and certifying the implementation FISMA, the NIST security guidelines, and the Department's plans, policies and guidelines.
Qualifications:
- Will be required to work onsite in Washington DC (hybrid - 5 days onsite to start with a transition to 3 days).
- B.S. in Information Technology or a closely related field.
- 7+ years of progressive, technical (hands-on) experience in Information Assurance C&A.
- Experience working as an ISSO supporting federal government information systems.
- Experience with ISO, NIST and US Government standards and cybersecurity frameworks (e.g. FISMA, FIPS, HSPD), system administration.
- Experience with ITS Publication 1075 for safeguarding of Federal Tax Information (TFI).
- IT security management, engineering, and analysis experience.
- Must have active CISSP, CEH or CISM certification.
- Active Top Secret clearance.
Salary: $110,000 - $180,000
About Us
IntelliDyne, LLC empowers government organizations through the delivery of quality, mission-aligned services and innovative, people-first IT solutions. IntelliDyne has earned the designation of a Top Workplace by providing an inclusive and supportive environment where employees have a voice and are challenged to provide innovative solutions to our clients of national, state, and local importance.
For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact staffing@intellidyne-llc.com or 703-575-9715.
See All 46 Systems Security Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSystems Security Engineer Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Systems Security 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
- Education
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in systems security engineer jobs across District of Columbia.
- Active Department of Defense security clearance, typically Secret or Top Secret with SCI eligibility
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a closely related technical field
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional or CompTIA Security+ certification required or strongly preferred
- Demonstrated experience with NIST Risk Management Framework and federal security authorization processes
- Hands-on proficiency with SIEM platforms, endpoint detection tools, and intrusion detection systems
- Experience supporting Authority to Operate processes under FISMA or similar federal compliance mandates
Systems Security Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a systems security engineer in District of Columbia?
Systems security engineers in District of Columbia do not require a state-issued license, but the local market is heavily shaped by federal requirements. Most roles require a relevant bachelor's degree, an industry certification such as CISSP or Security+, and the ability to obtain a federal security clearance. Because so much DC-area hiring is tied to government contracts, candidates who pursue clearance eligibility and gain familiarity with NIST and FISMA frameworks are positioned most competitively.
How much do systems security engineers make in District of Columbia?
Systems security engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of about $156,590 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $87,400 for the lowest 10% to over $207,700 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire systems security engineers in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia systems security engineer roles are posted by Peraton, tharros, and General Dynamics Information Technology and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. The DC area's concentration of federal agencies and prime defense contractors means a large share of openings come from firms supporting government clients under long-term contracts.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most systems security engineer jobs?
Washington, Bolling AFB, and Pentagon account for the most systems security engineer openings in District of Columbia. Washington DC anchors the market because of its federal agency density, while nearby areas like Arlington and McLean in Virginia are counted in metro job searches due to the large defense and intelligence contractor campuses concentrated there, making the broader National Capital Region the dominant employment zone.
Are there remote systems security engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, though clearance-dependent roles limit how many are fully remote. About 50% of systems security engineer openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements more common than fully remote. The work most likely to be done remotely involves cloud security architecture, security engineering analysis, and compliance documentation rather than roles requiring physical access to classified facilities.
How can I get hired as a systems security engineer in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in DC is through a junior analyst or associate security engineer role at a mid-tier government contractor, where clearance sponsorship for new hires is more common than at prime contractors. Candidates who start in IT support, network administration, or help desk roles with federal agencies or contractors build the access history that supports clearance applications. Earning Security+ certification before applying strengthens candidacy significantly, as many DC-area contract vehicles require it as a baseline credential.
Where can I find and apply to systems security engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to systems security engineer jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the area. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and clearance level, and apply directly through each listing.
See All 46 Systems Security Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs