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Forensics Science Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Digital Forensics Analyst

Herndon, VA · On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

D. in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Technology ... Digital forensics, incident response, or cyber investigations experience with at least 3 years ...

Must be able to obtain DHS Suitability * BS Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering or related degree; or HS Diploma and 10+ years of host or digital forensics experience * 8+ years of ...

Required Education: BS Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering or related degree; or HS Diploma and 10+ years of host or digital forensics experience Desired Certifications: - GCFA ...

Required Education: BS Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering or related degree; or HS Diploma and 10+ years of host or digital forensics experience Desired Certifications: * GCFA ...

Must be able to obtain DHS Suitability * BS Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering or related degree; or HS Diploma and 10+ years of host or digital forensics experience * 8+ years of ...

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Forensics Science information

See Washington salary details

$40.2K

$59.3K

$88.9K

How much do forensics science jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensics science in Washington is $59,344.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,300.00 and $62,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can I go into with a forensic science degree?

A forensic science degree prepares individuals for roles such as forensic scientist, crime scene investigator, forensic laboratory technician, and forensic analyst. These jobs typically involve analyzing physical evidence, using laboratory tools, and may require certifications or specialized training in areas like DNA analysis or toxicology.

What can a forensic scientist do?

A forensic scientist analyzes physical evidence from crime scenes, such as fingerprints, blood, and DNA, to help solve crimes. They often work in laboratories using specialized tools and techniques, and may present findings in court as expert witnesses.

What are some typical challenges faced by forensic scientists when analyzing evidence?

Forensic scientists often encounter challenges such as dealing with degraded or contaminated evidence, working under tight deadlines, and ensuring that their analyses meet strict legal and scientific standards. They must meticulously document their procedures and findings, as their work is frequently scrutinized in court. Additionally, collaboration with law enforcement, attorneys, and other experts requires clear communication and a strong understanding of both scientific and legal protocols.

What is forensic science?

Forensic science is the application of scientific methods and principles to solve crimes and legal issues. It involves analyzing physical evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA, blood, and other materials, to help law enforcement agencies investigate and prosecute criminal cases. Forensic scientists may specialize in various disciplines, including toxicology, biology, chemistry, and digital forensics. Their work is crucial in uncovering facts, reconstructing events, and providing expert testimony in court. Through their expertise, forensic scientists play a vital role in the criminal justice system.

What are the career options in forensic science?

Forensic science offers career options such as forensic scientist, crime scene investigator, forensic toxicologist, DNA analyst, and forensic odontologist. These roles typically require knowledge of laboratory techniques, evidence analysis, and often certification or specialized training in forensic methods.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forensic Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Scientist, you need a strong background in biology, chemistry, or forensic science, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, analytical software, and techniques such as DNA analysis or chromatography is essential. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective written and verbal communication skills are crucial for analyzing evidence and presenting findings. These skills ensure the accurate interpretation of evidence, which is vital for supporting criminal investigations and legal proceedings.

What jobs are there for forensic science?

Forensic science offers roles such as forensic scientist, crime scene investigator, forensic analyst, and forensic technician. These jobs involve analyzing physical evidence, using laboratory tools, and often require knowledge of criminal justice and certification in forensic methods.

What is the difference between Forensics Science vs Crime Scene Investigation?

AspectForensics ScienceCrime Scene Investigation
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or related field; certifications like ASQF or FEPHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training; sometimes certifications in crime scene processing
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, sometimes crime scenes for analysisOn-site at crime scenes, evidence collection, and scene processing
Employer & Industry UsageLaw enforcement agencies, private labs, government agenciesLaw enforcement agencies, police departments, crime units
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on laboratory analysis and evidence interpretationFocuses on evidence collection and scene processing

While both careers are integral to criminal investigations, Forensics Science professionals analyze evidence in labs, whereas Crime Scene Investigators focus on collecting evidence at crime scenes. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or educational focus.

What cities in Washington are hiring for Forensics Science jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Forensics Science job openings:
Infographic showing various Forensics Science job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, and 19% Part Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,344 per year, or $28.5 per hour.
Digital Forensics Analyst

Digital Forensics Analyst

Peraton

Herndon, VA • On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Peraton rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 204 rated it services


Job description

Responsibilities
We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Digital Forensics Analyst to join our team in the greater DMV area, supporting the Army National Guard.
Responsibilities
  • Lead advanced digital forensic investigations across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments: acquire, preserve, and analyze artifacts to reconstruct timelines and determine scope and impact.
  • Perform forensic acquisition using industry-standard tools and techniques; maintain chain-of-custody and evidence integrity for legal and investigative use.
  • Correlate forensic artifacts with threat intelligence and MITRE ATT&CK mappings to identify adversary TTPs, indicators of compromise, and attribution signals.
  • Conduct memory, disk, log, and cloud artifact analysis; extract, preserve, and document volatile and non-volatile data for investigative and prosecutorial requirements.
  • Produce detailed, defensible forensic reports, timelines, and expert-level briefings for incident response, legal, counterintelligence, and senior leadership audiences.
  • Support incident containment and remediation by providing forensic findings, recommended mitigations, and validation of remediation actions.
  • Develop and maintain forensic playbooks, procedures, and tooling; mentor forensic staff and ensure QA of forensic products.
  • Coordinate with SOC, CIRT, threat intel, and law-enforcement partners during investigations and evidence handoffs.
  • Maintain readiness through tooling validation, lab exercises, and continuous improvement of forensic methodologies.

#ENOCS
Qualifications
Qualifications
  • Minimum of 8 years with BS/BA; Minimum of 6 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 3 years with PhD
  • Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance.
  • Candidate must meet ONE of the following:
    • Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field; OR
    • Relevant DoD/military training (if applicable); OR
    • Relevant professional certification or equivalent experience (examples: GREM, CFR, CySA+, GCFA, GCFE, PenTest+).
  • Required experience and skills:
    • Digital forensics, incident response, or cyber investigations experience with at least 3 years performing advanced forensic analysis in enterprise or DoD environments.
    • Demonstrated expertise in disk/memory forensics, network traffic analysis, cloud artifact collection, and use of forensic toolsets (e.g., EnCase, FTK, X-WAYS, Volatility, Rekall, Cellebrite, cloud forensics tools).
    • Strong knowledge of evidence handling, chain-of-custody, legal/privilege considerations, and producing courtroom-quality forensic reports.
    • Ability to map forensic findings to MITRE ATT&CK, threat intelligence, and operational impact; provide actionable recommendations to responders and leadership.
    • Experience coordinating cross-organizational investigations and supporting law enforcement or counterintelligence handoffs.
  • Desired:
    • Completion of advanced forensic training such as DC3 Cyber Forensics Course or equivalent DoD/IC forensic courses.
    • Prior experience supporting DoD/ARNG investigations, legal proceedings, or multi-agency forensic operations.
    • Familiarity with forensic automation, validated lab environments, and scalable forensic triage for high-volume environments.

#ENOCS
Peraton Overview
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Target Salary Range
$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
EEO
EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017