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Critical Infrastructure Protection Jobs in Virginia

Critical Infrastructure Engineer

Ashburn, VA ยท On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

... protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. As a Critical Infrastructure Engineer, you will play a pivotal part in ensuring 100% uptime and reliability across our data center operations.

Knowledge of critical infrastructure protection requirements per PPD-21 * Understanding of National Cybersecurity Strategy * Ability to operate effectively in classified environments with IC partners

Knowledge of critical infrastructure protection requirements per PPD-21 * Understanding of National Cybersecurity Strategy * Ability to operate effectively in classified environments with IC partners

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Showing results 1-20

Critical Infrastructure Protection information

See Virginia salary details

$15

$27

$52

How much do critical infrastructure protection jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for critical infrastructure protection in Virginia is $27.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.68 and $30.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is critical infrastructure protection?

Critical infrastructure protection (CIP) involves identifying, assessing, and securing the systems and assets that are essential to a country's security, economy, public health, and safety. This includes sectors like energy, water, transportation, communications, and emergency services. CIP professionals work to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from threats such as cyberattacks, terrorism, natural disasters, and other hazards that could disrupt vital operations. Their efforts help ensure that these critical services remain available and resilient in the face of various risks.

What is the difference between Critical Infrastructure Protection vs Cybersecurity Specialist?

AspectCritical Infrastructure ProtectionCybersecurity Specialist
Required CertificationsFEMA certifications, CISSP, CISACISSP, CEH, Security+
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, utilities, transportationPrivate companies, IT firms, corporate networks
Employer & Industry UsagePublic sector, critical infrastructure sectorsTech industry, finance, healthcare
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Critical Infrastructure Protection focuses on safeguarding essential services like energy, water, and transportation, often within government or public sectors. Cybersecurity Specialists primarily protect digital assets and networks across various industries. While both roles require security certifications and involve protecting organizational assets, their work environments and focus areas differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Critical Infrastructure Protection, and why are they important?

To thrive in Critical Infrastructure Protection, you need expertise in risk assessment, cybersecurity, physical security strategies, and often a background in engineering or information technology. Familiarity with tools like SCADA systems, NIST cybersecurity frameworks, and relevant certifications such as CISSP or CISM is typically required. Strong problem-solving, crisis management, and effective communication skills help professionals anticipate threats and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. These competencies are vital for safeguarding essential services against cyber and physical threats, minimizing vulnerabilities, and ensuring public safety.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in Critical Infrastructure Protection, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Critical Infrastructure Protection often face challenges such as evolving cybersecurity threats, compliance with complex regulations, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders across public and private sectors. To address these, staying updated on the latest threat intelligence, fostering strong communication channels, and participating in regular training and simulation exercises are essential. Collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private industry partners, also plays a key role in developing effective response strategies.
What are popular job titles related to Critical Infrastructure Protection jobs in Virginia? For Critical Infrastructure Protection jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Critical Infrastructure Protection jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Critical Infrastructure Protection jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Critical Infrastructure Protection jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Critical Infrastructure Protection job openings:
Infographic showing various Critical Infrastructure Protection job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,769 per year, or $27.8 per hour.

Director of Capture Management - Critical Infrastructure Protection

Astrion

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site

$200K - $265K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Overview
Director of Capture Management - Critical Infrastructure Protection
LOCATION: Arlington, VA; Washington, DC; Columbia, MD
JOB STATUS: Full-time
CLEARANCE: Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
CERTIFICATION: N/A
TRAVEL: Up to 50%, dependent on customer, pursuit, and mission needs
SALARY RANGE: $200K to $265K
Astrion has an exciting opportunity for an onsite Director of Capture Management - Critical Infrastructure Protection, to help grow a mission area focused on the systems, networks, assets, and functions the nation depends on every day. This is an exciting senior-level opportunity for a capture leader who understands that critical infrastructure protection is no longer only a physical security problem or only a cybersecurity problem - it is an integrated mission that spans cyber, physical, electromagnetic, human, operational, and resilience challenges.
In this role, you will partner with senior growth, mission, campaign, technical, and customer-facing leaders to shape opportunities that help customers identify, assess, prevent, detect, respond to, mitigate, and recover from threats and hazards. You will help Astrion bring together cyber assurance, mission support, systems engineering, risk analytics, emergency management, operational technology security, digital modernization, training, and mission integration to protect the infrastructure that underpins national security, economic security, public health, and public safety.
MISSION AREA: CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
The Critical Infrastructure Protection mission area is focused on the integrated activities, capabilities, and partnerships required to protect systems and assets whose disruption would have a debilitating effect on national security, economic security, public health and safety, or a combination of those priorities. The mission spans physical, cyber, electromagnetic, and human threats across critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, communications, transportation, government facilities, emergency services, defense industrial base, information technology, healthcare, water, and nuclear facilities.
This is not a role for someone who simply tracks opportunities. It requires a senior capture leader who can build customer trust, influence early shaping, understand the competitive field, develop credible solution strategies with technical SMEs, and lead disciplined capture campaigns from qualification through award.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS
  • Experience:
    • Minimum of 20+ years of capture management, business development, program management, defense acquisition, military operations, civil space, homeland security, cyber, or related mission growth experience.
    • Proven record personally leading and winning complex federal captures in defense, national security, civil space, homeland security, or mission-critical technical services markets.
    • Demonstrated experience in critical infrastructure protection, homeland security, cyber-physical security, emergency management, infrastructure resilience, operational technology, industrial control systems, digital modernization, mission support, or adjacent mission areas.
    • Strong familiarity with DHS, CISA, FEMA, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, DOT, FAA, DOE/NNSA, NRC, EPA, national labs, DoD infrastructure, NAVFAC, USACE, DIB Infrastructure, commercial nuclear, utilities, ports, airports, or rail/transit, state and local partners, defense installation customers, or related organizations, including acquisition rhythms, mission priorities, customer pain points, and the industry ecosystem.
    • Experience shaping and capturing SETA, SE&I, test and evaluation, software, hardware, cyber, mission operations, training, sustainment, modernization, or integrated solution opportunities.
    • Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS, IDIQs, task orders, GWACs, OTAs, CSOs, rapid prototyping pathways, recompetes, price-to-win, and probability-of-win methods.
    • Demonstrated ability to apply market intelligence, competitive analysis, GovWin, FPDS, SAM.gov, CRM systems, AI, and data analytics to prioritize opportunities and improve capture outcomes.
  • Education:
    • Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, National Security, Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Management, Public Policy, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
  • Skills & Competencies:
    • Executive presence with the ability to engage senior government customers, industry partners, and internal executives with credibility and confidence.
    • Strong ability to translate complex mission needs into differentiated, customer-centered capture strategies and solution concepts.
    • Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence across matrixed teams.
    • Strategic thinker with disciplined business judgment, including the ability to assess where Astrion should prime, sub, team, invest, or no-bid.
    • Ability to lead cross-functional capture teams across business development, operations, technical SMEs, contracts, pricing, finance, recruiting, and executive stakeholders.
  • Clearance:
    • U.S. citizenship required.
    • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS
  • Prior experience supporting or capturing work for DHS, CISA, FEMA, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, DOE/NNSA, DOT, FAA, NRC, EPA, national labs or related critical infrastructure and homeland security organizations.
  • Experience with cyber-physical resilience, operational technology security, industrial control systems, risk management, threat and vulnerability assessment, incident response, continuity planning, emergency management, or infrastructure modernization.
  • Experience developing solution-led captures involving cyber assurance, mission engineering, data analytics, AI-enabled software, digital modernization, training, test and evaluation, or mission integration.
  • Prior military, government civilian, law enforcement, emergency management, cyber, infrastructure, or industry experience supporting mission-critical infrastructure operations.
  • Experience building or selling repeatable offerings, platform-enabled services, product-attached services, or mission-solution portfolios.
  • Existing relationships with infrastructure operators, cyber providers, systems integrators, emergency management partners, technology firms, or specialized mission partners.
  • Experience moving a business from labor-centric pursuits toward integrated, outcome-based, solution-led growth.
  • Existing clearance(s) preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead strategic capture efforts across the Critical Infrastructure Protection mission area to protect and expand existing FAA and NRC positions while opening new growth lanes in DHS/TSA/CISA/CBP, DOT/FAA, DOE/NNSA, national labs, DoD infrastructure, DIB Infrastructure, commercial nuclear, SMRs, utilities, hyperscalers, airports, ports, rail, and international markets.
  • Identify, qualify, and shape new business opportunities aligned to Astrion customer access, past performance, differentiated capabilities, and growth priorities.
  • Build customer engagement plans that deepen Astrion understanding of mission needs, acquisition timelines, funding priorities, decision makers, and pain points.
  • Translate customer needs into clear win themes, solution discriminators, teaming strategies, pricing considerations, and pursuit priorities.
  • Use market intelligence, acquisition data, customer insights, and competitive analysis to prioritize opportunities and inform bid, no-bid, prime, sub, and teaming decisions.
  • Develop and execute capture strategies for mission areas such as cyber-physical security, infrastructure resilience, emergency management, operational technology protection, digital modernization, mission support, risk analytics, training, and sustainment.
  • Shape differentiated solutions by collaborating with technical SMEs in cybersecurity, operational technology, systems engineering, mission support, emergency management, data analytics, training, test and evaluation, and mission integration.
  • Build and maintain capture plans that include customer engagement, competitive assessment, solution development, pricing strategy, teaming, risk management, and gate-review readiness.
  • Develop teaming and partner strategies with primes, OEMs, nontraditional technology firms, and specialized mission partners to strengthen Astrion position to win.
  • Prepare leadership briefings, gate reviews, investment recommendations, and pursuit health assessments that are realistic, data-driven, and tied to customer mission outcomes.
  • Track capture performance through meaningful KPIs, including qualification quality, customer engagement progress, solution maturity, teaming status, Pwin movement, and gate readiness.
  • Represent Astrion in customer meetings, industry engagements, technical exchanges, and partner discussions with a clear point of view on the Critical Infrastructure Protection mission.