Cybersecurity Engineer / Analyst with Security Clearance
The Cybersecurity Engineer / Analyst will support the design, integration, and security hardening of AI-enabled systems and infrastructure, focusing on securing AI environments across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid architectures. This early-career role emphasizes engineering tasks such as implementing cybersecurity controls, automating security processes, and participating in threat modeling and security validation to protect next-generation AI capabilities for government and commercial clients.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, IT.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Confidential Client is seeking an early-career Cybersecurity Engineer / Analyst to support the design, integration, and hardening of next-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities in a hybrid on-prem/cloud environment. This engineering-focused role works alongside senior engineers to secure AI infrastructure, automate security controls, and contribute to resilient deployments.
- Assist in the design, implementation, and security hardening of AI and machine learning environments.
- Develop and maintain secure containerized environments (Docker) and related tooling.
- Apply DevSecOps principles across AI development pipelines and CI/CD workflows.
- Support secure infrastructure engineering using Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) tools.
- Create automation scripts to streamline deployment, security validation, and remediation.
- Assist with vulnerability assessments, system hardening, and remediation activities.
- Support Zero Trust and least-privilege implementations.
- Perform security testing and validation of AI applications and supporting infrastructure.
- Participate in threat modeling and security architecture reviews for AI-enabled systems.
- Assist with detection engineering, security monitoring, and log analysis to validate defensive controls.
- Produce and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and security engineering artifacts.
- Collaborate with systems engineers, software developers, cybersecurity engineers, and program teams across the system lifecycle.
Who You Are — Required Qualifications
- 0–3 years of professional cybersecurity or systems engineering experience (internships and significant personal projects considered).
- Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Assurance, or a related technical field.
- Fundamental understanding of cybersecurity principles, networking, operating systems, and secure system design.
- Experience with Linux and Windows operating systems.
- Proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash.
- Familiarity with Docker or other container technologies.
- Understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing, firewalls).
- Knowledge of NIST cybersecurity frameworks and secure engineering principles.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, written and verbal communication skills.
- One or more industry certifications such as Security+, CySA+, SSCP, GSEC, Linux+, or equivalent.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Travel up to ~15%.
Preferred / Desired Skills
- Experience deploying or securing AI/LLM environments, agentic AI frameworks, or local inference platforms.
- Familiarity with AI security concepts (prompt injection, model abuse, data poisoning, supply-chain risks).
- Experience with policy-as-code / guardrails (e.g., Open Policy Agent).
- Experience with IaC tools such as Terraform or Ansible.
- Experience with Git, GitHub, CI/CD pipelines, and DevSecOps workflows.
- Cloud experience (Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud) and familiarity with Kubernetes or container orchestration.
- Experience with SIEM technologies (Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, Elastic, Wazuh).
- Detection engineering, threat hunting, or MITRE ATT&CK mapping experience.
- Knowledge of SSDLC practices and familiarity with NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-171, NIST AI RMF, or MITRE ATLAS.
- Active or previously held DoD Secret or Top Secret clearance is a plus.
Compensation & Location
- Location: Stratmoor Hills / Colorado Springs, CO (on-site or hybrid per program needs).
- Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government clearance required.
- Travel: Approximately 15%.
- Salary range (in compliance with Colorado pay-transparency law): $65,000 – $100,000 per year. Offer will consider experience, certifications, education, and role responsibilities.
Why Join
- Engineering-first role focused on securing AI systems and modern infrastructure.
- Mentorship and collaboration with senior engineers and multi-disciplinary teams.
- Opportunities to work on R&D and to contribute to secure, mission-driven AI capabilities.
- Professional development and certification encouragement.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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