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Cyber Security Graduate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) is Virginia's central hub for cybersecurity research ... graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a ...

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Cyber Security Graduate information

See Virginia salary details

$56.5K

$131.8K

$184.4K

How much do cyber security graduate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for cyber security graduate in Virginia is $131,822.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,000.00 and $148,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cyber security graduate?

A Cyber Security Graduate job is an entry-level role designed for recent graduates in cybersecurity, computer science, or related fields. These roles provide hands-on experience in protecting networks, systems, and data from cyber threats. Responsibilities often include monitoring security threats, conducting risk assessments, and assisting in implementing security measures. Employers may offer training and mentorship to help graduates develop technical and analytical skills. This role is a stepping stone to more specialized cybersecurity positions like security analyst or penetration tester.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cyber security graduate?

To thrive as a Cyber Security Graduate, you need foundational knowledge in information security principles, risk assessment, and network defense, typically acquired through a computer science or cybersecurity degree. Familiarity with tools such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, SIEM platforms, and certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is often expected. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with teams and respond to incidents confidently. These competencies are crucial for protecting organizational assets and adapting to constantly evolving cyber threats.

What are the typical career growth opportunities for a cyber security graduate?

As a Cyber Security Graduate, you often start in entry-level roles such as security analyst, incident responder, or risk assessor, where you develop hands-on experience with current security technologies and best practices. With continued learning and exposure, you can progress to specialized positions like penetration tester, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant and, over time, move into senior or management roles. Employers frequently support professional growth through on-the-job training, mentorship, and certification funding. Many organizations value those who demonstrate initiative and keep up with emerging threats, leading to faster advancement and expanded responsibilities within the cybersecurity field.

What jobs can a cyber security graduate get you?

A cybersecurity graduate can pursue roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, security engineer, incident responder, or security consultant. These positions typically require knowledge of network security, threat detection, and security tools like firewalls and intrusion detection systems, often supported by certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or CISSP.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cyber Security Graduate jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Cyber Security Graduate jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Cyber Security Graduate jobs in Virginia?

For Cyber Security Graduate jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cyber Security Graduate jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Cyber Security Graduate jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Cyber Security Graduate jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Cyber Security Graduate job openings:

Infographic showing various Cyber Security Graduate job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $131,822 per year, or $63.4 per hour.

Principal Cybersecurity Engineer with Security Clearance

MITRE Corporation

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Other

Posted 17 days ago


MITRE Corporation rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

162nd of 449 rated engineering


Job description

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges-and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day-working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us. Principal Cybersecurity Engineer. This department features leaders and staff who work with our sponsors to position sponsor programs for the future. The department leads MITRE's technical capability areas in Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy and Privacy and Data Protection. Our team of cybersecurity professionals apply leading edge thinking to develop effective sponsor cybersecurity and privacy strategies and policies implemented through appropriate cybersecurity and privacy-enhancing technologies, tools, practices, and frameworks. Through collaborative work with our sponsors, we provide expertise to ensure information and cybersecurity programs meet organizational and business mission requirements, and we establish mechanisms that gauge operational security effectiveness. Through partnerships, we leverage MITRE's cyber expertise to raise cybersecurity maturity nationally and internationally by engaging with traditional and non-traditional partners and sponsors to address broad reaching cyber security challenges, with a focus on risk frameworks, privacy, cyber supply chain risk management, strategic assessments, threat collaboration, and cyber workforce. The ideal candidate for this position has a blend of strong technical and people leadership competencies and is highly motivated to work collaboratively to address our sponsor's biggest technical challenges and realize broad-based impact. This role will be executed from McLean, VA Roles & Responsibilities: * Lead cybersecurity technical, policy, and strategy, assessments and workshops for government agencies
* Develop and implement security strategies for MITRE sponsors and programs
* Provide mentorship to junior professionals
* Lead Cybersecurity Risk Management by demonstrating expert knowledge of cybersecurity risk management frameworks (RMF) and methodologies
* Conduct Security Controls Assessments (SCA), workshops, and audits for internal teams and partner organizations
* Contribute technically to one or more Sponsor tasks
* Collaborate effectively with MITRE, government, and contractors; effectively communicate in writing, presentations, and collaborative discussions; and interface with peers, managers, and sponsors
* Promote collaboration and integration with other organizational elements within the department and across MITRE Basic Qualifications: * Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Information Systems/ or related field with ten years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
* Demonstrated experience creating or analyzing policy at Federal Department/ Agency level
* Experience with RMF, NIST SP-800 series, Zero Trust, and Security Controls Assessment (SCA)
* Experience in software engineering and systems engineering, including requirements analysis and technical writing
* Familiarity with Windows, Linux, macOS/Open BSD, or other operating systems
* This position requires an a ctive Top Secret Security Clearance
* Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements for a clearance, U.S. Citizenship is required. * This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site Preferred Qualifications: * Graduate-level degree in a technical discipline (Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, etc.) or 15 years of relevant experience
* Familiarity with both Information Technology (IT), operational technology (OT), task critical assets (TCAs), and National Security Systems (NSS)
* 15 years related experience as a cybersecurity analyst/systems/ network engineer
* Experience with various Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms (Splunk, QRadar, Tenable products, etc.)
* Familiarity with defensive cybersecurity and DoW Information Network operations
* Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
* GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
* CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+ This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Top Secret This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$172,800 - $216,000 - $259,200 Annual Work Location Type:
Onsite Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law. MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE's employment process, please email for general support and for intern positions. This service is for individuals requiring reasonable accommodation requests. Please note that vendor solicitations will not receive a reply. Benefits information may be found here . Copyright © 1997-2026, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. MITRE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. Material on this site may be copied and distributed with permission only.

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About MITRE

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges-and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day-working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities, and a culture of innovation that embraces diversity, inclusion, flexibility, collaboration, and career growth. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE-and make a difference with us. MITRE is a trusted operator of federally funded research and development centers and we're on a mission to make the world a safer place-for all of humanity, today and in the future. To deliver on our mission, we need the world's best talent and leaders-groundbreakers and partnership-builders on a global scale in areas like healthcare, artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure resiliency, pandemic management, and cybersecurity. In return, we have the privilege of backing you with thousands of technical experts in diverse fields, a culture of innovation and knowledge sharing, access to data and resources uniquely available to MITRE through our wide-ranging partnerships across government, industry and academia.

Industry

It services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1958

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