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.

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What You’ll Do

Confidential Client’s CODEX (Cyber Offense and Defense Experts) division is hiring an entry-level Cyber Test Engineer to join a high-visibility CNO development team. You will work under senior engineers to help verify the quality, consistency, and mission-readiness of cyber products throughout development.

• Assist in building and maintaining test environments that mirror customer operational contexts
• Execute manual and automated test plans and report findings to engineering teams
• Contribute to test automation and custom test framework development (scripting, basic automation)
• Create and maintain technical test documentation, test cases, and results logs
• Engage with internal stakeholders and customers to understand system requirements and acceptance criteria
• Troubleshoot issues in Linux/Unix environments and support reproducible test scenarios
• Learn offensive cyber concepts and apply them in verification and validation activities under mentorship

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What We're Looking For

Candidates should be early-career (new grads or 0–1 year experience) with a strong technical foundation and a desire to grow in cyber engineering and testing.

• TS/SCI with CI Poly clearance is required (or ability to obtain upon hire)
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related field
• 0–1 years of test engineering or related experience — internships, co-ops, academic projects, or relevant coursework acceptable
• Demonstrated experience with at least one scripting language (Python, Bash, or similar) through coursework or projects
• Basic familiarity with Linux/Unix command line and system operations
• Foundational knowledge of TCP/IP networking (DNS, DHCP, HTTP, routing, VPN)
• Strong communication and collaboration skills; readiness to accept mentorship
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving aptitude

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Preferred Qualifications

These are not required but will make you a stronger candidate.

• Exposure to software testing methodologies and QA concepts
• Experience developing test cases and technical test documentation
• Familiarity with Agile development practices
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git)
• Basic understanding of virtualization or container tech (Docker, VMs)
• Participation in cybersecurity competitions (CTFs, CyberPatriot) or relevant certifications (Security+, Linux+, Network+)
• Demonstrated self-learning, curiosity, and passion for cybersecurity

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Salary & Benefits

The posted salary range for this role is $55,000–$106,000 per year and is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. Confidential Client offers benefits including medical, vision, and dental insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, holidays, and additional voluntary insurance options.

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Location & Clearance

• Job location: Sterling, VA (onsite / local footprint as required by the program)
• Clearing requirement: TS/SCI with CI Poly (required or ability to obtain upon hire)

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Additional Notes

This role is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate to launch a career in cybersecurity with hands-on experience, mentorship, and clear advancement paths within a mission-focused IT team supporting national security objectives.

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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.