Independent Contractor Reverse Engineering Jobs in Chantilly, VA

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.
Department Summary
MITRE's Offensive Operations & Effects department, part of the Cyber Operations & Effects Innovation Center, develops advanced cyber capabilities and mission-focused technology solutions supporting national security objectives. Our teams conduct applied research, operational analysis, prototype development, and technical experimentation across offensive cyber operations, digital investigations, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, malware analysis, and cyber-enabled mission support. We leverage emerging technologies, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence to deliver innovative capabilities designed for real-world operational environments.
MITRE is seeking a highly technical Principal Cyber Operations Engineer - focusing on Cyber Operations & AI Innovation to support advanced cyber operations, digital investigations, and applied research initiatives. This role combines expertise in cybersecurity operations, digital forensics, AI/ML technologies, reverse engineering, and mission-focused engineering to develop and integrate innovative capabilities supporting operational cyber missions. The successful candidate will help drive the adoption of AI-enabled solutions for cyber investigations, data analysis, operational automation, vulnerability research, and mission decision support across collaborative R&D and operational environments.
Roles & Responsibilities
MITRE is seeking strong technical candidates with a background in artificial intelligence to join a research and development team focused on advanced cyber operations, digital investigations, and AI-enabled mission capabilities.
The candidate for this position should have familiarity in one or more of the following disciplines: digital forensics, mobile forensics, cloud forensics, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, network packet capture and analysis, IoT investigations, AI/ML development, or cyber analytics. Candidates should also possess a strong interest in applying emerging AI technologies and advanced analytics to operational cyber and investigative challenges.
In this role, you will:

• Design, develop, and implement advanced cyber and AI-enabled capabilities supporting operational mission objectives and technology innovation initiatives
• Lead development and integration of AI/ML tools and supporting infrastructure for cyber operations, digital investigations, reverse engineering, and mission analytics
• Identify opportunities for automation, optimization, and data-driven decision-making across cyber operations and digital investigation workflows
• Conduct and support digital, mobile, cloud, and network forensic analysis activities in support of mission requirements
• Develop prototypes, tools, analytics, and workflows supporting cyber operations, vulnerability research, reverse engineering, and investigative activities
• Research and evaluate emerging AI cyber technologies applicable to forensic techniques and/or operational tradecraft
• Establish and implement best practices for AI governance, operational security, responsible AI usage, and secure deployment within mission environments
• Support sponsor engagements and collaborate with technical representatives, investigators, operators, and multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Prepare and deliver technical documentation, assessments, demonstrations, testing reports, and operational briefings to internal and external stakeholders
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and knowledge transfer to cyber operations and engineering teams
• Work independently to rapidly learn new technologies, platforms, operational methodologies, and investigative techniques in evolving cyber mission environments

Basic Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
• Degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Science, or related technical field
• Experience designing, developing, or deploying AI/ML systems in operational or research environments
• Experience programming in languages such as Python, Java, C++, or C
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks and tooling such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, LangChain, MLflow, Hugging Face, Sage, Cursor, Claude Code, or equivalent
• Familiarity with deploying AI solutions within secure, enterprise, cloud, hybrid, or disconnected operational environments
• Strong familiarity with Linux systems and development environments
• Strong familiarity with cybersecurity operations concepts and objectives
• Strong familiarity with one or more cyber technical disciplines such as: Digital forensics, Mobile or cloud forensics, Reverse engineering, Vulnerability research, IoT analysis, Network packet capture and analysis
• Strong familiarity with database systems such as PostgreSQL and/or SQLite
• Experience applying professional engineering principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to complex technical problems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance..
• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying AI/ML to cyber operations, reverse engineering, digital investigations, or mission analytics
• Experience developing or integrating large language models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), autonomous agents, or generative AI solutions
• Strong familiarity with AI security, adversarial machine learning, model validation, and responsible AI governance practices
• Experience with cloud-native AI/ML infrastructure and containerized deployments (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, etc.)
• Operational experience with network forensics and PCAP analysis
• Experience conducting applied research, rapid prototyping, or proof-of-concept development in mission environments
• Experience supporting outward-facing sponsors and collaborative technical engagements
• Strong familiarity with DevSecOps, MLOps, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure automation
• Experience briefing technical strategies, assessments, and demonstrations to leadership or sponsor organizations
• Prior experience working within government, defense, intelligence, or national security environments
• Having previously held a Top Secret/SCI clearance or equivalent suitability determination
• Demonstrated technical leadership of multidisciplinary engineering or research teams

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
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:
Hybrid
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.