CYBER OPERATIONAL TESTING LEAD

Company Description

Cardinal Engineering LLC provides world-class marine engineering services to the U.S. Navy, industry partners, and other government agencies, supporting programs of national importance. Our core capabilities include structural engineering, survivability, power and energy systems, hydrodynamics, signal processing, digital engineering, systems and software development, and rapid prototyping.

Cardinal supports the full life cycle of U.S. Navy surface ships, aircraft carriers, submarines, and submersibles—from early research and requirements development through design, engineering, testing, construction, operation, maintenance, and modernization. The company also contributes to marine renewable energy initiatives for the U.S. Department of Energy, partnering with private industry, national laboratories, and government test facilities.

Our mission is to deliver objective, technically rigorous engineering solutions and trusted, independent assessments that enable informed decision-making through innovative and cost-effective application of advanced technologies.

Position Summary

Cardinal Engineering is seeking a Cyber Operational Testing Lead to support Operational Testing (OT) and Developmental Testing (DT) activities, with an emphasis on cyber survivability testing of U.S. Navy ship systems. This position supports Navy acquisition and fleet readiness by leading the planning, execution, and assessment of cybersecurity testing, including vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and other cyber evaluation activities. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams while coordinating with government stakeholders to ensure effective and mission-focused test execution.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead and mentor a team of cyber engineers conducting cybersecurity assessments in support of Operational Testing (OT) and Developmental Testing (DT).
• Plan, coordinate, and execute cyber survivability assessments, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing activities.
• Coordinate and synchronize Blue Team (defensive cybersecurity) and Red Team (adversarial cybersecurity) operations, including test planning, rules of engagement development, and execution oversight.
• Collaborate with Participating Acquisition Resource Managers (PARMs), system owners, program offices, and operational users to align test objectives, schedules, and technical approaches.
• Develop and deliver technical briefings, status updates, and decision-support materials for senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
• Lead technical working groups, planning meetings, and technical exchange meetings.
• Document, manage, and verify Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) supporting test planning, execution, findings, and recommendations.
• Track and analyze system deficiencies, assess operational and mission impacts, and develop prioritized risk mitigation recommendations.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, and potential conflicts; recommend solutions and support issue resolution.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and present formal out-briefs summarizing test methodologies, results, findings, and recommendations.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide technical engineering support and risk assessments to Ship Design Managers and the Aviation Systems Engineering Manager in support of Ford Class aircraft carrier design, integration, and delivery.
• Lead the Aviation Installation Coordination Team (ICT) and serve as a member of the Warfare Systems Installation Coordination Team (WSICT). Coordinate technical activities among the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Participating Acquisition Resource Managers (PARMs), Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Newport News (SUPSHIP Newport News), and the shipbuilder to resolve aviation warfare system integration issues.
• Ensure aviation warfare system hardware and software are properly installed, integrated, configured, and tested in accordance with ship construction contract requirements to support successful ship delivery.
• Coordinate rapid resolution of installation, integration, and testing issues identified during warfare system integration by leading the Installation Coordination Team and supporting specialized technical working groups as required.
• Identify technical issues requiring resolution by Participating Acquisition Resource Managers, In-Service Engineering Agents (ISEAs), Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and other Naval Systems Commands (SYSCOMs).
• Support execution of the integrated shipboard test program through the Obligation Work Limiting Date (OWLD).
• Promote early assessment and evaluation of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, and Intelligence (C5I) systems through the new construction Test and Evaluation (T&E) program.
• Coordinate with post-delivery test program managers to maximize the use of testing opportunities and reduce schedule and cost impacts.
• Establish and facilitate coordination between the government team and shipbuilder to ensure required products, services, and technical resources are available to support warfare system installation, integration, and testing while meeting program cost and schedule objectives.
• Assist in resolving Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) and Government-Furnished Information (GFI) issues identified during ship construction, installation, and testing.
• Coordinate government technical resources necessary to support installation, integration, and test activities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or another relevant technical discipline, and at least 10 years of relevant experience, or 7 years of relevant experience with a Master of Science degree.
• Demonstrated experience leading cybersecurity teams in support of U.S. Government or Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
• Current Information Assurance Technical Level III (IAT III) or Information Assurance Manager Level II (IAM II) certification, or the ability to obtain the required certification within six months of hire.
• U.S. citizenship and a current Top Secret security clearance are required.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have experience with one or more of the following:

• Supporting the Navy Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) or a comparable Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) organization, including planning and executing operationally realistic testing.
• Cybersecurity testing and assessment within Operational Technology (OT) environments and industrial control systems.
• Applying the Risk Management Framework (RMF) in support of cybersecurity assessment, authorization, or security engineering activities.
• Using modeling and simulation tools to support test design, cyber verification, analysis, or mission assessment.
• Applying Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A) processes to establish test credibility and ensure the quality of supporting evidence.

Work Location

This position is based at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Dam Neck Activity in Virginia Beach, Virginia. A part-time telework schedule is available. Occasional travel will be required to support testing and other assigned duties.

Security Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Candidates must currently possess an active TOP SECRET security clearance.

Salary commensurate with years and applicability of experience ranging from $120 – $150K.

Cardinal Engineering is an equal opportunity employer. We offer industry-leading employee benefits and growth potential is limited only by the candidate’s ambition:

· Generous 401k Company contribution

· Medical, dental, vision insurance

· Flexible spending and dependent care accounts

· Short- and long-term disability

· Life insurance plans for family