Research Associate jobs in United States, Virginia, Arlington

Our GPS Technology Organization is a structure within the US GPS practice that implements and maintains a new operate and technology model designed specifically to support U.S. defense and Government engagements.

This role focuses on:

• Designing cloud platform architectures and infrastructure as code for secure Azure / Azure Gov environments
• Building DevSecOps automation and CI/CD pipelines
• Enabling containerized workloads and hardened base images at scale
• Helping teams adopt modern cloud practices without accumulating technical debt

You’ll collaborate with architects, security teams, and product managers, and coach junior engineers in a highly regulated mission environment. You’ll thrive in this role if you’re a self-starter who’s comfortable with ambiguity, likes to automate wherever it makes sense, and is committed to continuous learning and helping others grow.

Cloud Platform & Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

• Design and maintain reusable IaC (Bicep, ARM templates) for scalable, secure Azure / Azure Gov environments
• Implement and improve Azure Policies and initiatives to enforce standards and guardrails
• Apply modern engineering and security standards across platform components

Containers & DevSecOps

• Engineer, automate, and deploy platform solutions and applications using platforms such as Kubernetes, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps, with supporting technologies like Docker or Helm
• Develop and maintain base container images and hardened OS images aligned to DISA STIGs and other security baselines
• Evolve and promote DevSecOps practices across teams

Automation & CI/CD

• Build and operate CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, Git, and automation tooling (e.g., Ansible)
• Automate repeatable infrastructure and application deployment tasks
• Use both manual and automated quality controls to ensure reliable releases

Operations, risk & collaboration

• Troubleshoot and remediate issues in cloud and container platforms
• Identify and communicate risks, assumptions, issues, and decisions throughout the product lifecycle
• Document and improve processes, and collaborate closely with product managers, architects, and security teams
• Mentor junior engineers and help build a high-performing DevSecOps culture

What you bring (required)

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or equivalent experience
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
• 5+ years in engineering roles working with private/public cloud IaaS, PaaS, and/or SaaS
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance
• Strong hands-on experience with (in order of importance):

• • Infrastructure as Code & CI/CD– designing and delivering with tools such as Bicep, Azure DevOps, ARM templates, or Ansible
  • Containers and orchestration– experience building and running containerized workloads using technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps, or Helm for packaging and deploying services at scale
  • Networking fundamentals– strong foundation designing and troubleshooting VNets, subnets, network security groups (NSGs), routing (UDRs), and basic load-balancing scenarios, with enough depth to reason about hub-and-spoke or similar topologies and diagnose common connectivity issues
  • Cloud security principles– solid understanding of concepts such as shared responsibility, least privilege, identity-driven security, network segmentation, encryption, and logging/monitoring, and how to apply them for customers driven by regulatory compliance requirements, such as: NIST, Fedramp
  • Identity and access– understanding of Microsoft Entra ID, Azure RBAC, Entra ID RBAC, Privileged Identity Management (PIM), and managed identities for Azure resources
  • Windows and Linux administration– hands-on experience managing, troubleshooting, and hardening server workloads, including patching, performance tuning, and applying security baselines (e.g., DISA STIG or equivalent)
  • Scripting / programming– practical automation experience using PowerShell (Python or similar scripting languages is a plus but not required)

• Additional expectations:

• • Experience with government security frameworks (e.g., NIST controls)
  • Hands-on delivery in Agile environments (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, or similar)
  • Strong written and verbal communication and the ability to work effectively on distributed teams

What will make you stand out (preferred)

• Deeper hands-on experience with:
  • Git-based source controland branching strategies
  • Azure DevOps Pipelinesand broader Azure platform services
  • Ansible and Bicepfor advanced automation and configuration
  • Azure Policyand multi-tenant / multi-subscription design patterns
  • Advanced Azure networking experience– hands-on exposure to one or more of: VPN Gateway or ExpressRoute, Azure Firewall or other NVAs, Virtual WAN hubs, Application Gateway or similar L7 gateways, and more complex hybrid or multi-region network designs
• Additional relevant certifications, such as:
  • AZ-400, AZ-500, AZ-700
  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)or CKAD / CKNS
  • Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation

Our GPS Technology Organization is a structure within the US GPS practice that implements and maintains a new operate and technology model designed specifically to support U.S. defense and Government engagements.

As the Cyber Security Engineer, you’ll be part of our Security Engineering & Operations team. In this role you’ll be involved in leading and coordinating activities related to multi-functional security technologies for our US Government and Public Sector (GPS) Practice. You’ll also work with internal security teams including IAM and Cyber Defense to ensure the related systems are secure, robust and compliant. You’ll spend most of your time supporting the run state of our security technologies. The remainder of your time will be spent bringing operational expertise into efforts which introduce new technologies and upgrade current ones.

Your key responsibilities

• Supporting the run state of our security technologies
• Bringing operational expertise into efforts which introduce new technologies and upgrade current ones
• Providing technical oversight of Information Security technologies that fall under the team’s responsibilities, confirming they are operating within agreed service levels, compliance specifications and at peak performance
• Managing and coordinating planned maintenance activities as well as incidents for Information Security technologies
• Representing the team in specific project activities, including leading projects and managing the activity of others towards successful completion
• Articulating technology issues/concerns that may emerge at any level of the technical stack, and from any component across the ecosystem, to technology leaders
• The role will likely be 100% remote and require <10% travel
• Occasional weekend and off hours work to support the business. It will also require a rotational on-call schedule.

Skills and attributes for success

• Operational experience in an environment of more than 3000 users
• Perform detailed troubleshooting of issues, by using their analytical skills and collaborating with other technical teams, stakeholders and internal and external customers
• Ability to work and solve issues independently, finding solutions to problems.
• Strong ability to document processes, procedures and security controls clearly and accurately for distribution to internal teams and customers
• Comfortable working remotely in a large, global virtual environment
• Ability to react appropriately during stressful and ambiguous situations and communicate clearly to senior leadership when the situation requires
• Strong problem solving, decision making and collaboration skills
• Functional and/or technical experience in supporting security technologies including detailed knowledge of many of the following: Cloud Operations especially Azure, O365 Tenants, networking concepts & mechanisms, EDR, DLP, AV/AM, DNS, Encryption, E-Mail technologies including DMARC, DKIM, SMTP, TLS, EVM, SYSLOG, PKI, as well as a myriad of other related security and desktop technologies:
• Azure networking and platform protection
• Azure architectural design.
• Diagnostic logging & log retention and complex logging solutions with varied vendors and environments.
• Vulnerability and compliance scanning solutions and policies
• Virtual networks and Network Security Groups
• Application gateways and load balancing
• Traffic Manager and Azure DDoS protection
• Host Security and VM Hardening
• Serverless Computing (Kubernetes)
• Subscription security and policies
• Azure resource policies and resource locks
• Azure information protection
• Access control and key management for storage accounts
• Basic Scripting and Automation Skills
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines deployment, DevSecOps and Policy as Code
• Experience with Containers
• Experience with WDAC

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Bachelor’s degree in computer related field or equivalent work experience
• At least 5 years of experience in managing Information Systems and Security, including demonstratable knowledge of the various platforms and interactions
• Strong English language skills – written and verbal
• Experience in training and coaching staff in technical processes and practices
• Proven experience in configuration of the following Microsoft and Azure security services:
• Microsoft Sentinel
• Microsoft Defender XDR
• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
• Microsoft Defender for O365
• Microsoft Defender for Identity
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
• Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud
• Microsoft Entra ID Protection
• Microsoft Data Loss Prevention (Purview)
• App Governance
• Microsoft O365 DLP
• Microsoft Intune
• Azure Monitor Log Analytics
• Azure Firewall
• Azure WAF
• Azure EventHub
• Azure Network Watcher
• Eligible to obtain and maintain Top Secret Security Clearance

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience with MS Exchange, O365,Azure, AWS, and GCP.
• Advanced skills in troubleshooting cloud environments
• General Knowledge of FedRAMP, NIST SP 800-53, and NIST SP 800-171 and other frameworks.
• Federal Government experience, including CMMC Maturity Level 3
• Strong ability to document processes, procedures and security controls clearly and accurately for distribution to internal teams and customers
• GSEC/CISSP or other security related generalist certification from ISC2 or GIAC
• Experience in incident, problem and change management
• Certifications:
• AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals
• AZ-500: Azure Security Technologies
• AZ-303: Azure Architect Technologies
• SANS SEC401: Security Essentials - Network, Endpoint, and Cloud
• SANS SEC 510, Public Cloud Security: AWS, Azure, and GCP
• Sans SEC 540: Cloud Security and DevSecOps Automation

Your key responsibilities

• Configure and manage ServiceNow instances, ensuring the platform is performing optimally.
• Administer user roles, permissions, and security settings in accordance with company policies.
• Perform routine system maintenance, including upgrades, patch management, and performance monitoring.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues within the ServiceNow platform, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum performance.
• Develop and manage ServiceNow workflows, notifications, and business rules to streamline IT and business processes.
• Design, develop, and customize ServiceNow applications and modules (ITSM, ITOM, SPM, etc.) based on business requirements.
• Create and manage custom scripts (e.g., Business Rules, Script Includes, UI Policies, etc.) using ServiceNow scripting languages such as JavaScript, Glide, and AngularJS.
• Build custom forms, reports, and dashboards for business users.
• Implement and manage integrations between ServiceNow and third-party systems (REST/SOAP integrations, import sets, etc.).
• Provide technical expertise and training to users and other team members on ServiceNow functionality and best practices.
• Provide Tier 2/3 support for complex incidents or requests related to ServiceNow.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve complex ServiceNow issues, ensuring fast resolution and minimal impact on business operations.
• Document solutions and issues in a knowledge base for future reference.

Skills and attributes for success

• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration or related field
• Proficiency in ServiceNow development including scripting business rules, workflows, and UI Policies.
• Experience with ServiceNow integrations (REST, SOAP, Import Sets).
• Familiarity with ServiceNow Studio, Service Portal, and other development tools within the platform.
• Knowledge of ServiceNow reporting, dashboards, and performance analytics.
• Experience with workflow tools
• Strong understanding of US Government’s expectations for IT control environment
• Ability to plan, execute and deliver on projects in a timely manner
• Ability to multi-task on varying projects and initiatives
• Attention to detail; organized and thorough
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to work with a diverse and geographically distributed team

To qualify for the role, you must have

• 3+ years of experience as a ServiceNow Developer and/or Administrator.
• Strong hands-on experience with ServiceNow ITSM, ITOM, SPM etc. modules is required.
• ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) is required.
• ServiceNow Certified Application Developer (CAD) is preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance

Ideally, you’ll also have

• ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist (CIS) in relevant modules (ITSM, ITOM, SPM etc.) is a plus.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, both pension and 401(k) plans, a flexible time off policy with plus 19 observed holidays, and a range of programs and benefits designed to support your physical, financial and social well-being.Plus, we offer:

• Support and coaching from some of the most engaging colleagues in the industry

• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you

Your key responsibilities

• Prospecting and lead generation (i.e., demand generation)
• Develop and manage a multi-year sales pipeline.
• Client relationship management.
• Develop compelling win strategies and remain engaged through contract award.
• Sales presentations and sales process management include developing and presenting gate review (i.e., deal enablement) content for the qualification phase.
• Negotiations of teaming agreements with industry partners, ability to support negotiations of terms and conditions.
• Spend approximately 80% of your time actively engaging with your clients.
• Spend approximately 20% of your time on strategy and management initiatives.

Skills and attributes for success

You'll need to thrive in a matrixed organization, balancing the needs of the client against business initiatives and goals. Your ability to develop and build networks will be instrumental in connecting with colleagues across the leadership team and service lines to drive a coordinated market effort. With natural coaching skills, you'll inspire others with your actions in the market. You'll be a trusted advisor to the EY account lead (GCSP) and the account team, acting in a consultative manner. You'll be the catalyst that pulls stakeholders together to drive strategic initiatives and enable revenue growth.

To qualify for the role, you must have:

• 10-12+ years’ experience as a business development executive.
• A proven record of selling complex technology solutions to "C" level executives in the Federal space, specifically at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Established and trusted relationships across key federal agencies, including ICE, DHS OCIO, USCIS FDNS, TSA, Coast Guard, CBP, and Law Enforcement with both executive leadership (C-suite) and influential mid-career professionals who shape mission-critical requirements, development strategies, and procurement decisions .
• Industry relationships with potential teaming partners, alliances, MBE/WBE small businesses, and competitors.
• Outstanding client management and relationship skills, strong executive presence and influencing skills.
• Solid understanding of the marketplace, industry, competitive intelligence, and account information.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing and resolving conflict.
• Bachelor’s Degree

Ideally, you'll also have:

• Strong coaching and mentoring skills.
• Team selling experience.
• Eligible for U.S. security clearance

As Assistant Facility Security Officer (AFSO) you will be responsible for ensuring the protection of National Security Information in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)/32 CFR Part 117. Responsibilities include program oversight, evaluations, and educating cleared employees on promulgated government and company initiatives, policies and procedures. The candidate will serve as the primary security liaison with government agencies, sponsor representatives and integrate security solutions across business portfolios.

Your key responsibilities

• Oversee daily security operations and NISP/32 CFR Part 117 NISPOM compliance.
• Maintain and mature the facility’s industrial security program for Department of Defense (DoD) elements in compliance with applicable policies, and established regulations.
• Enforce procedures for accounting, controlling, transmitting, safeguarding, and destroying classified information.
• Support a security education, training, and awareness program.
• Support the FSO with preparing reports and presentations for all levels of Management.
• Maintains data compliance in DISS, NISS, NBIS, SWFT and other system of records.
• Maintain and update Standard Practices and Procedures (SPP) documentation.
• Support and mature the NISP annual security self-inspection, coordinating with internal stakeholders and DCSA representatives.
• Provide support for classified meetings, including coordination and visitor management (e.g., processing Visitor Approval Requests (VARs)).
• Lead security incident investigations in accordance with EY policy, NISPOM/32 CFR Part 117, and DCSA guidelines, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyze and validate security processes, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance, identify trends and root-causes and facilitate multi-disciplinary teams to address gaps.
• Prepare, track, and maintain Prime and Subcontractor DD-254s forms to ensure accuracy of security requirements. Coordinate with applicable stakeholders to facilitate actions necessary to execute and update such documentation.
• Demonstrate professionalism, independent engagement, and collaboration with peers and external personnel to ensure adherence to regulations and guidelines.
• Exhibit strong decision-making, individual initiative, organizational skills, and the ability to function with minimal supervision.

Skills and attributes for success

• The AFSO must be a strategic thinker who can exercise independent judgment and knowledge to manage risks, deliver Industrial security support and align security solutions with business needs.
• Candidate will collaborate with Senior security staff, employees and government clients to meet objectives while ensuring EY security program remains effective, compliant with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) standards, and aligned with corporate security requirements
• In addition to technical expertise and independent initiative, the ideal AFSO will demonstrate a collaborative spirit and the ability to work seamlessly within multidisciplinary teams. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, enabling the candidate to foster open communication, support colleagues in joint problem solving, and cultivate an environment of mutual respect and shared accountability. A commitment to partnership—both within the security staff and across business units—ensures robust information exchange, effective coordination, and unified progress toward security and organizational objectives.

To qualify for the role you must have

• Bachelor’s degree (Criminal Justice preferred) or equivalent experience
• Strong organizational and communications skills, and the ability to effectively interact with staff and customers at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products is required, with particular emphasis on Microsoft Access for database management and Microsoft Copilot for workflow optimization and automation.
• DCSA Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) FSO Program Management for Possessing Facilities courses.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Fullscope polygraph clearance
• This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site in the Tysons, VA and Arlington, VA office locations

Our GPS Technology Organization is a structure within the US GPS practice that implements and maintains a new operate and technology model designed specifically to support U.S. defense and Government engagements.

You’ll have responsibilities within the Identity and Access Management (IAM) team that supports various applications in cloud platform services across the Government and Public Sector (GPS) business unit. You’ll support the end-to-end aspects of services including but not limited to service engineering, break/fix support, service roadmaps and standards, vendor management. You’ll also have responsibilities to include ensuring stability for application platforms and/or services under their responsibility including resolution of incidents and problems, maintenance and support, application platform change control, and automation of processes and procedures. Working closely with other teams within EY, you’ll drive technology standards and consistency across IT Services.

Your key responsibilities

• Maintaining ongoing knowledge and support of Azure infrastructure and aligned applications such as:
  • Azure Cloud hosted services, Bastion, Keyvault, Recovery Services Vault, Storage accounts
  • Azure Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Power Automate, App Service Plan, Function Apps, Application Insights
  • Azure networking; Vnets, network security groups (NSG), private and public endpoints, Azure Private DNS
  • Microsoft Entra Domain Services (MEDS)
  • Access reviews, reporting and Audit compliance
• Deploying MEDS on Azure VM’s and install replica Domain Controllers or Forests in an Azure virtual network
• Maintain ongoing knowledge and support of servers and networks aligned to the Active Directory environments including but not limited to:
  • Single Sign-On (SSO) configuration and remediation
  • Native Microsoft tools including but not limited to ADSI, ADUC, DNS, Domains and Trusts,
  • DISA STIG remediation with Group Policy Objects (GPO)
  • Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
• Creating and configuring Microsoft Entra Domain Services (IAAS & PAAS) for authenticating applications in Azure Cloud
• Entra services management including application proxy, Licensing, Azure PIM
• Application Registrations; OAuth/OpenID, API Permissions, Client ID/Secrets, JWT Tokens/Claims, JSON, App Roles
• API Gateways, Enterprise Databases, SSO and Access Management systems, identity federation protocols (SAML), OIDC, OAuth2 and LDAP/LDAPS
• Enterprise Applications; SAML, SCIM Provisioning
• Managing data stored in Entra ID via Graph and Powershell.
• Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) such as Entra ID MFA integration into the authentication, authorization, and single sign-on process for applications and systems
• Account, Group, and entitlement management with SailPoint Identity Security Cloud (ISC) or IdentityIQ (IIQ)
• Integrating SailPoint ISC or IIQ and other Identity Infrastructure with Entra ID
• Design and configuration of Entra Conditional Access using Zero Trust principles
• Entra ID external collaboration; B2B, Entra External ID
• The role may also require the periodic allocation of additional time on the job to support multiple demands and escalating issues or to accommodate teams or staff in other time zones

Skills and attributes for success

• Core understanding of Entra ID Tenant deployment and Active Directory management
• Understanding of aligning Microsoft Entra / Azure services with security governance frameworks and guidelines such as CMMC, Fedramp, and NIST SP 800.53, 800.63, and 800.171
• Understanding of application registration and Key Management using the Entra ID Admin portal
• Understanding of Entra ID Privileged Roles, Units and emergency accounts to enable policies at a granular level for access administration
• Strong organizational skills, self-motivated and able to work to tight deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective teaming and knowledge sharing skills
• Advanced skills in planning, designing and troubleshooting complex cloud environments
• Solid understanding of Cloud environment and security best practices
• Good understanding of ITIL
• Exceptional ability to document processes, procedures and security designs clearly and accurately for distribution to internal teams and customers
• Understanding of other technologies required to run a secure enterprise level infrastructure
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with external vendors and suppliers in the security industry
• Cloud Infrastructure Security enthusiast
• Self-motivated with an aptitude to learn quickly
• Ability to deal with ambiguity
• Have a global mind-set for working with different cultures and backgrounds

you must have

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience required
• 5-8+ years of cloud infrastructure
• 3 or more years of hands on experience in designing and implementing Cloud services like Azure AD, Entra ID, Azure MFA, Entra Conditional Access, Azure B2B and Azure PIM
• Demonstrated deep expertise in cloud infrastructure
• Experience with writing custom, scripting tools (Python, PowerShell, etc.), interacting with API’s and shell scripting
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Strong English language skills are required – written and verbal
• Good judgment, tact, and decision-making ability
• Ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural, environment
• Ability to obtain and maintain Top secret security clearance

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Azure certification for implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions will be an added advantage
• Involved in large scale IT deployments or cloud infrastructure
• At least one technical certification in Azure platform