Freelance Critical Infrastructure Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Leidos is seeking a highly motivated ICS / SCADA Engineer to join our team in Reston, Virginia. This role supports the analysis and characterization of commercial, critical infrastructure, and heavy industrial facilities, with a focus on systems managed through Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and Building Management Systems (BMS).

The ideal candidate brings a strong engineering foundation, hands-on experience with industrial automation and facility systems, and a creative yet disciplined approach to solving complex technical challenges. Successful candidates will work as part of a multidisciplinary team of government and contractor personnel conducting strategic facility analysis in support of national security missions.

This position is located within a government SCIF and offers the opportunity to contribute to high-impact work in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

• Analyze industrial control systems, SCADA environments, and building management systems to characterize facility capabilities and operations.

• Utilize intelligence sources, engineering expertise, and specialized analytical tools to assess and model critical infrastructure systems.

• Provide technical guidance and engineering judgment throughout the analysis process to develop accurate assessments and intelligence estimates.

• Develop detailed technical reports, briefings, and formal products in response to customer requirements.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex engineering and infrastructure challenges.

• Research emerging technologies and contribute to innovative analytical methodologies and tools.

• Present findings and technical assessments to senior government officials and stakeholders.

• Candidates for consideration MUST possess an active, current Top Secret/SCI clearance WITH polygraph, and the ability and willingness to maintain this clearance while holding this position. U.S. Citizenship required.

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field) and relevant professional experience.

• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree with less than 2 years of relevant experience.

• 1+ years of experience working with Industrial Control Systems (ICS), SCADA systems, or complex Building Management Systems (BMS).

• Strong understanding of: Industrial automation and process control systems, Electrical and/or mechanical engineering principles, Mechanical, electrical, and life safety systems

• Experience evaluating and troubleshooting complex industrial processes and facility infrastructure.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical documentation and brief senior-level audiences.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or other relevant engineering certifications.

• Military, intelligence community, or defense-related experience.

• Hands-on experience with industrial automation technologies, including:

  • PLC programming (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley or equivalent)

  • HMI and SCADA development

  • FactoryTalk View

  • GE Fanuc

  • Modicon

  • Schneider Electric

  • Siemens S7

  • Emerson DeltaV

  • Emerson Ovation

  • Wonderware

• Experience with:

  • Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

  • Building Management Systems (BMS)

  • Access Control and Video Surveillance Systems (ACS/VSS)

  • Industrial HVAC and Central Utility Plant operations

• Background supporting:

  • Industrial manufacturing facilities

  • Water and wastewater treatment systems

  • Nuclear facilities

  • Data centers

  • Cogeneration and Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) plants

• Experience with complex cooling infrastructure, including chillers, cooling towers, UPS systems, and power monitoring solutions.

• Cybersecurity, industrial cybersecurity, or penetration testing experience.

• Industry certifications such as CISSP, SSCP, CEH, Security+, or equivalent.

• Familiarity with network analysis and industrial cybersecurity tools, including:

  • Wireshark

  • NetworkMiner

  • GrassMarlin

  • SCEPTRE

  • HELICS

  • Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)

At Leidos, you'll work alongside some of the industry's most talented engineers, analysts, and technical experts supporting critical national security missions. We foster a collaborative environment where innovation, technical excellence, and mission impact drive everything we do.

If you're passionate about industrial control systems, critical infrastructure, and solving complex engineering challenges, we'd like to hear from you.

#ASBA
#Snakehead

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.