Operational Technology SME

Job Summary:

Responsible for conducting research and development in advanced digital security measures, with emphasis on protecting freedom of movement, personal autonomy, and obscurity in the digital domain. The SME develops and tests innovative techniques to reduce digital footprints and enhance anonymity for clients and operations. They leverage strong technical expertise and creative problem-solving skills to prototype solutions that push the boundaries of cybersecurity, ultimately empowering privacy and freedom in online environments. The primary focus is on experimenting, validating, and implementing cutting-edge privacy-preserving technologies and signature management methodologies. Oversees all corporate networks and systems to ensure the compliance and security of the company.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research & Experimentation: Conduct continuous research into emerging cybersecurity threats, tools, and techniques. Design and execute hands-on experiments to evaluate new signature management methods that enhance digital privacy and reduce detectability.
• Innovation in Privacy Measures: Develop and prototype innovative solutions (scripts, tools, or processes) aimed at protecting user and operational anonymity. Focus on technologies that safeguard the freedom of movement, autonomy, and obscurity of individuals in cyberspace by minimizing digital traces and signatures.
• Testing & Evaluation: Perform rigorous testing of security tools and measures in lab and real-world environments. Simulate cyber-attack scenarios and penetration tests to assess the effectiveness of signature management strategies and use findings to improve those strategies.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyze results from experiments and testing to identify weaknesses in existing cybersecurity and privacy measures. Recommend and implement enhancements to continuously improve our organization’s digital privacy posture and signature management techniques.
• Technical Advisement: Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in cybersecurity and privacy (e.g., encryption, anonymization networks, stealth technologies). Advise internal teams and leadership on how emerging technologies or vulnerabilities could impact our signature management approach and suggest adaptive solutions.
• Knowledge Sharing: Document your research findings, experimental methodologies, and results. Communicate complex technical concepts and novel solutions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through reports, presentations, or training sessions to drive awareness and adoption of enhanced security practices.
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams (e.g. cyber operations, network security, software development) to integrate and test new privacy-preserving features. Provide subject matter expertise during project planning to ensure that new initiatives align with cutting-edge signature management and cybersecurity best practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Technical Expertise: Solid foundation in cybersecurity principles, including network security, defensive cyber operations, and threat analysis. Hands-on experience in cyber operations or security research (e.g., penetration testing, digital forensics, or cyber intelligence).
• Linux & Scripting Skills: Proficiency with Linux operating systems and scripting/programming skills (especially Python) for automating tests, analyzing data, and developing prototypes. You should be comfortable using Python to build tools or scripts that enhance cybersecurity and privacy.
• Cyber Tradecraft Knowledge: Familiarity with cyber “tradecraft” techniques for staying undetected and protecting anonymity online. Experience with signature management concepts or related fields (such as OPSEC, encryption, or stealth technology) is highly valued.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Ability: Demonstrated ability to apply critical thinking to complex problems. Capable of devising creative solutions and innovating new methods to address cybersecurity challenges.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Able to document research processes and convey technical results or recommendations to various audiences (from engineers to executive leadership).
• Security Clearance: Due to the nature of our work, an active DoD Top Secret/SCI security clearance (or eligibility to obtain one) is highly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required. (Candidates without a current clearance will be considered if they can attain the necessary clearance in a reasonable time frame.)
• Education & Experience: A Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Engineering or a related field is preferred (advanced degree a plus). Equivalent professional experience or certifications can be used as substitutes for formal education. We value a strong track record of hands-on work and innovation, rather than strict time-based experience requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications: Relevant certifications that demonstrate expertise are a plus. Examples include Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), GIAC certifications, Cisco CCNA, and CompTIA Security+ or Linux+.
• Specialized Training: Completion of specialized training in Signature Management, digital privacy, or related cybersecurity domains. Participation in capture-the-flag competitions, cybersecurity research publications, or open-source security projects is also beneficial.
• Advanced Skills: Experience with advanced threat simulation tools, anomaly detection techniques, or privacy-enhancing technologies (such as TOR, VPNs, metadata obfuscation, etc.) will help you excel in this role. A demonstrated ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies is highly desired.

FRDA is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, train, compensate, discharge or any other term or condition of employment, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Reasonable Accommodations: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. FRDA, LLC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, FRDA will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, employees and applicants should contact Human Resources.