Independent Contractor - PECSS SME - Military veterans preferred

TITLE:

Physical, Embedded, and Control Systems Security Subject Matter Expert - Independent Contractor

Disclaimer:

This is a 1099 independent contractor position expected to not exceed 50/hrs. per year. This is a non-employee position.

Location: Chantilly, VA. Consideration will be given to remote work.

Purpose:

We are seeking individuals with advanced expertise in Physical, Embedded, and Control Systems Security (PECSS). We expect these individuals to understand designs, protocols, and physical configurations of purpose-built interconnected systems—such as industrial control systems, physical systems, and embedded systems—and can define and implement comprehensive countermeasures to detect threats and maintain the overall cybersecurity posture of these systems. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will be expected to possess extensive knowledge and experience in PECSS (ideally, 15+ years of experience).

Responsibilities:

Some of the responsibilities of the SMEs will include:

• Attend orientation and training meetings
• Participate in regular and/or ad hoc status meetings
• Evaluate recorded interview responses, using a provided scoring rubric. Interview questions cover a variety of PECSS topics.
• Provide rationale for ratings and discuss ratings with other evaluators
• Assist in hiring assessment content development or review
• Provide expertise in PECSS for other miscellaneous tasks

The type of technical skills that we are looking for include:

• Embedded Compute Systems: Applies knowledge of specifications and uses of specialized physical, virtual or compute systems that communicate with interconnected systems and/or devices (e.g., automobiles, GPS, telecom applications).
• ICS/SCADA: Applies knowledge of computer-controlled systems that monitor and impact industrial processes deployed across physical systems and elements of the Critical National Infrastructure (e.g., nuclear power plants, reprocessing facilities, chemical plants, oil refineries, ports, maritime transport systems, ships and aircraft).
• Internet of Things: Applies knowledge of the foundations of architectures, applications, security, and protocols that underpin the Internet of Things. Actively monitors and supports the design/build/configure/operate/maintain cycle of interconnected systems.
• Building/Facilities Automation: Applies knowledge of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in facilities’ underlying systems (e.g., access control, HVAC) to secure against intrusion or misuse and detect and defend the security posture.

Qualifications:

The type of qualifications that we are looking for include:

• 15+ years of experience in Physical, Embedded, and Control Systems Security (PECSS).
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, required. Must be able to convey technical information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Advanced degrees and/or publications in relevant fields preferred.
• U.S. citizenship and successful completion of a background investigation required.

After applying to this job posting, selected applicants will be invited to a 30-minute interview. Candidates who pass the initial interview will then receive their first paid assignment, which involves taking a remotely proctored virtual test on PECSS topics. Your performance on this test, along with feedback on the content, will determine your eligibility for subsequent assignments. The follow-up tasks may include evaluating interview responses on PECSS topics and discussing those evaluations with other SMEs to ensure consensus. Please note that this position is not full-time; rather, it consists of a few assignments spread throughout the year, providing approximately 2-15 hours of work per month, with some months having no tasks available.

Compensation

Compensation for participating as a Subject Matter Expert will reflect competitive market rates. This is a 1099 independent contractor role and will not be converted to a full time / part time employee role and is U.S. Only.

PDRI is a federal contractor employer, US Citizenship is required.

PDRI is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

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