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Digital Forensics Engineer

Digital Forensics Engineers analyze data from ongoing cyber-attacks, and develop new forensic code, tools, and techniques to extract data of value for analysts to review.
  • Full time
  • Starting salary: $69,287 - $172,075
  • Bachelor's degree
Express Interest

Agency-wide Requirements

All applicants must be:

  • U.S. citizens (dual U.S. citizens also eligible)
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Willing to move to the Washington, DC area
  • Able to complete security and medical evaluations
  • Registered for the Selective Service

About the Job

As a Digital Forensic Engineer (DFE) for CIA, you will focus on the Agency's toughest technology challenges and cyber threats. DFEs are energetic and enthusiastic computer or engineering professionals who enjoy tackling hard challenges, are excited to learn about the newest technologies as they emerge, and love it when no two days of work are ever the same.

A day in the life of a DFE can vary widely. DFEs use their in-depth knowledge about technology to forensically analyze data from sophisticated cyber attacks, create new methods of forensic analysis and recovery, and research new file formats, mobile devices, technologies, and storage devices. DFE’s are expected to be able to analyze data in a way that maintains the integrity and objectivity of the forensics process, but DFEs are constantly tinkering, innovating, and problem solving to come up with new technical solutions to evolving digital challenges.

Who You’ll Work With

At the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), we recognize our Nation’s strength comes from the diversity of its people. People from a broad range of backgrounds and viewpoints work at CIA, and our diverse teams are the reason we can keep our country safe.

Read more about diversity and inclusion

What You’ll Get

Our benefits support every aspect of a working professional’s life, including health and wellness, time off, family, finances, and continuing education. Our programs include highly sought-after government health benefits, flexible schedules, sick leave, and childcare. In some cases, we also offer sign-on incentives and cover moving expenses if you relocate.

As a CIA employee, you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing your work is part of something bigger than yourself. Our work is driven by one mission: to keep our Nation safe. Every day is an opportunity to enhance U.S. national security.

Learn more about working at CIA

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree, with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale, in one of the following fields or related studies:
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Computer Engineering
    • Computer Science
    • Applied Mathematics
  • Or five (5) years of hands-on professional experience in one of the following fields: 
  • Vulnerability ResearchReverse Engineering (hardware and/or software)
  • Digital Forensic Engineering
  • Or substantially similar field
  • Ability to code/program
  • Ability to learn new programming languages as needed
  • Strong understanding of digital hardware and/or software at its deepest levels
  • A passion for thinking outside of the box to solve complex digital security problems
  • Strong initiative
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, especially the ability to articulate technical requirements to a non-technical audience

Desired Qualifications

  • Master’s degree or higher in one of the following fields or related studies:
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Computer Engineering
    • Computer Science
    • Applied Mathematics
  • Knowledge of:
    • Operating system concepts (UNIX/Linux, Windows, iOS, or Android) such as Security models, File systems, Process management and isolation, Inter-process communication, Networking, Cryptography
    • Computer science fundamentals
    • Basic Computer Network Exploitation (CNE) and Computer Network Attack (CNA) techniques and terminology
  • Familiarity with reverse engineering and/or exploitation
  • Experience in vulnerability analysis of source code or assembly
  • Knowledge of exploitation techniques
  • Familiarity of exploitation mitigation techniques
  • Experience with Ghidra, IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or a similar suite of tools
  • Knowledge of networking fundamentals at all OSI layers
  • Experience in red teaming or pen-testing
  • Experience in tinkering/side projects and/or hackathons