Cyber Architect (SME)

Responsibilities

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe and connected.

We’re looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world’s most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

 

At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission — you’ll define it.

 

Help shape the future of U.S. airspace safety and efficiency. We are seeking a Cyber Architect (SME) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The ideal candidate will lead the design and oversight of advanced cybersecurity architectures in support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In this role, you will provide strategic guidance, technical leadership, and subject matter expertise to ensure FAA modernization solutions meet federal cybersecurity requirements, risk management frameworks (RMF), and Zero Trust objectives. As a trusted advisor, you will influence architecture decisions, mentor engineering teams, and ensure solutions are scalable, resilient, and secure. Whether you’re mid-career, senior, or ready to lead, your expertise in federal contracts management will directly impact how millions of travelers move safely through the skies.

 

In this position, you will:

• Lead the design, review, and oversight of cybersecurity architectures across FAA modernization programs.

• Ensure compliance with FAA cybersecurity requirements, NIST standards, RMF, and Zero Trust architecture principles.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to FAA leadership on cybersecurity strategy, emerging threats, and risk mitigation.

• Provide technical oversight and mentorship to engineers, analysts, and program teams.

• Develop and maintain enterprise security reference architectures to guide FAA system designs.

• Collaborate with program managers, systems engineers, and subcontractors to ensure secure system integration.

• Conduct cybersecurity risk assessments, gap analyses, and architecture trade studies.

• Support proposal development and technical evaluations by providing SME-level insight into cybersecurity requirements.

• Prepare executive-level briefings, technical reports, and recommendations on cybersecurity initiatives.

• Stay current with emerging technologies, threat landscapes, and best practices to ensure FAA systems remain secure and resilient.

 

 

Why This Role Matters

 

The FAA is the cornerstone of aviation safety and innovation. As a Cyber Architect, you will play a critical role in protecting aviation systems from emerging cyber threats and ensuring compliance with federal mandates. Your expertise will shape how new technologies are integrated securely, influence agency-wide security strategy, and safeguard the systems that millions of travelers rely on daily. This position is not only about securing systems it’s about protecting national infrastructure and ensuring trust in U.S. aviation.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree and 12 years of experience or Masters degree and 10 years or Associate’s degree and 14 years’ experience or HS diploma/equivalent and 16 years experience.  
• Demonstrated ability to lead cybersecurity initiatives across large, complex federal programs.
• Deep knowledge of NIST 800-53, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, FISMA, FedRAMP, and DISA STIGs/SRGs.
• Expertise in network security, identity management and cloud security.
• Strong experience with Risk Management Framework (RMF) and system accreditation processes.
• Experience with enterprise-level security architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, DoDAF, SABSA).
• Proficiency in cybersecurity tools and platforms.
• Knowledge of federal cloud security guidelines (FedRAMP, TIC 3.0, CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model).

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct FAA or NAS configuration management experience.

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or related discipline.

• Familiarity with aviation or critical infrastructure security requirements is highly desirable.
• Industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCSP, or AWS Certified Security Specialty.

• Experience supporting FAA, DOT, DHS, or DoD cybersecurity programs.

• Experience developing or contributing to federal cybersecurity policies and guidance.

• Familiarity with NextGen FAA programs or large-scale system modernization efforts.

#BNATC

#BNATC

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.