Technology Research Analyst SME (Active Secret Clearance Required)

Technology Research Analyst SME

CyKor is a fast-growing Technology Solutions Provider to both federal and commercial clients. We attribute our continued growth to our core values, our professional team, and the valuable relationships with our clients. Our small and growing team fosters an environment in which each team member is respected, valued, and appreciated for their contributions.

The Technology Research Analyst SME serves as the forward-leaning technical advisor identifying, evaluating, and validating emerging technologies for integration into federal C5I and DoDIN environments.

This role ensures that modernization efforts are informed by validated innovation - not vendor hype - by translating emerging capabilities into lab-tested, mission-ready solutions. Modernization depends on choosing the right technology - and proving it works before scale. Every capability introduced is validated, mission-aligned, and ready for delivery execution across the client's network.

This role is where architecture becomes reality.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Supports federal modernization initiatives, including:
• Enterprise SD-WAN / GuardianNet Gateway
• Secure wireless and identity services (ISE)
• Automation (Ansible, CI/CD pipelines)
• Emerging transport (e.g., LEO SATCOM / Starlink)
• Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
• This role bridges Technology scouting - Lab validation - Engineering integration - Field adoption

Technology Research & Analysis:

• Identify and assess emerging technologies relevant to federal systems and enterprise architecture
• Conduct comparative analysis of commercial solutions (OEMs), open-source capabilities and government-developed tools
• Evaluate applicability based on mission impact, security posture and scalability/integration feasibility

Lab Validation & Prototyping:

• Lead and support testing within CYKOR's SD-WAN / integration lab and federal lab environments
• Develop proof-of-concepts (POCs), validation plans and success criteria
• Test performance (latency, throughput, failover); interoperability with existing systems; operational constraints (e.g., bandwidth-limited environments)

DoDIN & C5I Integration Analysis:

• Assess how emerging technologies integrate with DoDIN transport and services and federal network architecture
• Provide recommendations on network design impacts, security implications and deployment considerations (cutter vs shore)

Cybersecurity & Compliance Alignment:

• Evaluate technologies against RMF requirements, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) STIGs and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles
• Identify risks and mitigation strategies for adoption within DoDIN

Technical Reporting & Recommendations:

• Produce technology assessment reports, white papers, executive briefs and comparative analysis (e.g., vendor A vs vendor B)
• Provide actionable recommendations to engineering teams, PMO, program leadership and government stakeholders

Stakeholder & Industry Engagement:

• Interface with client stakeholders, prime contractor PMO and OEM vendors/technology partners
• Support technical exchanges, industry days and pilot program planning

Innovation Pipeline & Delivery Integration:

• Establish a repeatable pipeline:
• Research - Prototype - Validate - Recommend - Transition to Delivery
• Ensure validated technologies are integrated into engineering designs and transitioned to implementation teams
• Support scaling from POC to enterprise deployment

Requirements:

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field
• 10+ years of experience with network engineering, systems engineering, or technology analysis in federal environments
• Demonstrated experience with:
• Technology evaluation and prototyping
• Lab-based validation and testing
• Enterprise network or system architectures
• Analytical thinker with strong technical depth
• Ability to separate hype from mission-relevant capability
• Strong written and verbal communication skills (executive + technical)
• Curiosity and innovation mindset grounded in operational reality
• Ability to translate research into actionable engineering outcomes
• Active Secret clearance or higher

Technical Requirements:

• Strong understanding of networking (SD-WAN, routing, transport technologies) and cybersecurity principles/architecture
• Experience with Cisco technologies (SD-WAN, ISE, routing platforms); Automation tools (Ansible, Python); Cloud or hybrid environments (AWS GovCloud, Azure Gov)
• Familiarity with SATCOM / LEO transport considerations and Identity and access management systems

Certifications:

• DoD 8570/8140 compliant: CompTIA Security+ (minimum) Preferred:
• Cisco CCNP / CCIE
• CISSP
• Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure)
• Red Hat / automation certifications

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree
• Prior experience supporting federal C5I programs and DoDIN architecture or enterprise services
• Experience with POC development and transition to production, vendor evaluations and technical down-selects
• Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture implementations, PKI integration and secure onboarding

Location and Travel:

• Hybrid schedule: Must reside in DC metropolitan area or be willing to travel regularly to CyKor's HQ in Annapolis, MD and to various cutter locations for deployment project support

CyKor, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, natural origin, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.