Security Engineer

Why Bixal?

Bixal is a consulting company headquartered in Fairfax, VA, working alongside governments and organizations to help them deliver better services and experiences to the communities they serve. Using evidence-based knowledge and technology, Bixal empowers clients to deliver on their missions more effectively by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Our values:

• People-First: Emphasizing the importance of people in all aspects of work.

• Collaboration and Transparency: Valuing teamwork and open communication.

• Growth Mindset: Encouraging innovation and continuous improvement.

• Creating Lasting Impact: Focusing on meaningful outcomes and positive change.

About the role:

Bixal is seeking a Security Engineer to serve as security lead for a FIPS 199 Moderate federal platform that supports governmentwide regulatory planning and review. Federal agencies, oversight offices, and the public rely on these systems, which must stay available 24/7/365 while a modern replacement is built alongside them.

You will protect both. On the legacy side, you will keep a Java, Oracle, and Red Hat environment hardened, patched, and compliant. On the modernization side, you will build security into a new cloud-based platform from day one so it is ready for an Authority to Operate (ATO) when it reaches production. Because work can shift between the two, we're looking for someone comfortable moving between sustaining an existing system and securing a new one.

This is a client-facing role. You will be the program's named security lead, working with the client's technical leads, our Project Manager, and the engineering team, and translating security requirements into practical decisions that keep delivery moving.

This is a full-time position on an awarded contract with a 12-month base period and two 12-month option periods. This role offers you a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a project that aligns with Bixal’s mission of delivering innovative, human-centered solutions. While the role has a fixed duration, we are committed to transparency and collaboration, keeping you informed about contract updates and new opportunities. At Bixal, we support your professional journey, ensuring your experience reflects our inclusive, purpose-driven culture and prepares you for future success.

Location

This role can work remotely from anywhere in the USA. You must be legally authorized to work in the US.  Bixal does not provide visa sponsorship. 

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $130,000 – $140,000. In the spirit of transparency, most offers tend to land near the midpoint of the range. We make compensation decisions thoughtfully, considering your experience, the skills you bring, and our commitment to internal equity. Fairness and transparency are core to how we operate.

Responsibilities:

Vulnerability Management & Security Operations

• Run automated vulnerability scans of operating systems, databases, and web applications, and lead remediation and patching across Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Oracle, Apache/Tomcat, and Java application components.

• Meet contractual remediation timelines for scan and penetration test findings (15 days for critical, 30 for high, 60 for medium, 120 for low), and document Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) when a timeline cannot be met.

• Harden systems against GSA security benchmarks and CIS Level 1 guidelines.

• Track end-of-life software, unsupported libraries, and known vulnerabilities, and raise risks early with a recommended path forward.

• Support continuous monitoring, log review, and incident response in line with NIST SP 800-61.

• Support continuity of operations (COOP) and disaster recovery planning and testing.

Compliance, Assessment & Authorization

• Maintain the system's assessment and authorization (A&A) package under NIST SP 800-37 and SP 800-53 Rev. 5, including the System Security and Privacy Plan, contingency plan, business impact analysis, incident response plan, and contingency plan test report.

• Maintain POA&Ms and support Government-led security assessments, control reviews, and penetration testing.

• Support privacy compliance artifacts such as Privacy Threshold Assessments and Privacy Impact Assessments.

• Keep security documentation current as legacy capabilities are replaced and retired.

Secure Development & Modernization

• Perform threat modeling for new features, integrations, and architecture decisions.

• Embed static and dynamic security testing (such as Snyk and OWASP ZAP) in CI/CD pipelines so every release meets OWASP ASVS with no unresolved medium or high findings.

• Review releases for security impact before production, protecting availability.

• Advise on secure architecture for the modernized platform, including federated identity, FIPS 140-validated encryption, Zero Trust principles, and software supply chain security.

• Prepare security packages for prototype testing and position the new platform to receive an ATO at production deployment.

Advisory & Client Partnership

• Provide guidance on public key infrastructure, firewall and network security, internet protocols, and configuration management.

• Serve as the client's security point of contact, briefing technical leads and the Project Manager on risks, findings, and remediation progress.

• Coordinate with client IT teams on infrastructure changes and validate system security after those changes.

• Other relevant duties as assigned and qualified/trained to perform.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of hands-on information security experience, including securing federal information systems under FISMA.

• Hands-on experience with the NIST Risk Management Framework, including implementing and assessing NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 controls at the Moderate baseline.

• Experience writing and maintaining A&A documentation, including System Security Plans, contingency plans, incident response plans, and POA&Ms, and supporting a system through ATO.

• Experience running vulnerability scanning tools (such as Tenable/Nessus or Qualys) and driving remediation across operating system, database, and web application layers.

• Experience hardening Linux (preferably Red Hat Enterprise Linux) servers and relational databases (preferably Oracle) against CIS or agency benchmarks.

• Working knowledge of application security, including the OWASP Top 10 and ASVS, static and dynamic testing tools, and securing CI/CD pipelines.

• Familiarity with public key infrastructure, TLS certificate management, firewall configuration, and network protocols.

• Clear, confident communication skills, with the ability to explain risk and trade-offs to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including client leadership.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust determination in support of a federal government contract.

Nice to Have Skills and Experience:

• Security certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+, or equivalent.

• Experience with GSA IT security policies, procedural guides, or the GSA ATO process.

• Experience securing cloud-hosted or containerized platforms (AWS, cloud.gov, Docker, Kubernetes).

• Familiarity with Zero Trust architecture (OMB M-22-09) and secure software development practices (NIST SSDF, OMB M-22-18).

• Experience with identity federation and single sign-on, including Login.gov.

• Experience with monitoring and logging tools such as Grafana, Prometheus, Loki, or Splunk.

• Experience supporting systems through a legacy-to-modern platform migration.

How We Support Our Team:

• Flex hours

• 401K with matching incentive

• Parental Leave

• Medical/dental/vision benefits

• Flex Spending Account

• Company provided short-term disability and life insurance

• Commuter benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 11 Paid holidays

Our company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.