The posting
At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in precision weapons and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Our team of engineers and innovators are developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions to deliver affordable and scalable precision weapons, interceptors, and UAS.
We're building the next generation of munitions and unmanned systems for the United States and its allies. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on defense technology, you belong here.
Position Summary
Zone 5 Technologies is seeking a Software Cybersecurity Engineer to lead the design, development, and implementation of cybersecurity protections for advanced unmanned aircraft systems, embedded software, and mission-critical defense platforms.
This hands-on technical leadership role is responsible for integrating cybersecurity throughout the product lifecycle, including embedded software, hardware interfaces, communications, cryptographic protections, and secure software deployment.
The ideal candidate possesses deep technical expertise in embedded systems security, software engineering, threat analysis, and secure system architecture, with the ability to translate complex security requirements into practical, mission-ready solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead cybersecurity architecture and engineering activities for embedded flight software, mission-critical systems, and supporting applications.
- Design and implement protections against unauthorized access, software exploitation, malicious modification, and cybersecurity threats.
- Develop and integrate secure boot, cryptographic key management, software signing, secure storage, authentication, and integrity verification mechanisms.
- Conduct threat modeling, attack surface analysis, vulnerability assessments, and cybersecurity risk evaluations across hardware and software interfaces.
- Define cybersecurity requirements, architecture, verification methods, and technical acceptance criteria.
- Collaborate with Software, Systems, Hardware, GNC, and Platform Engineering teams to integrate security protections without compromising mission performance, real-time constraints, or system safety.
- Lead product security testing, vulnerability remediation, penetration testing coordination, and cybersecurity verification activities.
- Establish secure software development practices and support automated security analysis within CI/CD pipelines.
- Develop cybersecurity technical documentation, security control evidence, risk assessments, and security engineering artifacts.
- Support customer technical reviews, cybersecurity assessments, and applicable DoD security requirements.
- Provide technical mentorship and guidance to engineering teams on secure architecture, secure coding, and embedded cybersecurity practices.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, or equivalent technical experience.
- 8+ years of relevant experience in cybersecurity, embedded software engineering, systems security, or related disciplines.
- Strong programming experience in C, C++, Python, or comparable systems programming languages.
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing cybersecurity protections for embedded systems, real-time operating systems, or resource-constrained computing platforms.
- Strong understanding of cryptography, secure boot, authentication, software integrity, and secure communications.
- Experience conducting threat modeling, vulnerability analysis, and security architecture reviews.
- Knowledge of hardware/software security boundaries, processor security features, and secure software deployment.
- Ability to independently develop technical solutions and lead cybersecurity engineering activities across multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with aerospace, defense, unmanned systems, or other mission-critical embedded platforms.
- Experience with ARM-based processors, VxWorks, embedded Linux, or similar real-time operating environments.
- Knowledge of hardware roots of trust, trusted execution environments, and secure key provisioning.
- Familiarity with NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-160, NIST SP 800-171, RMF, CMMC, and applicable DoD cybersecurity requirements.
- Experience with secure software supply chains, SBOMs, software signing, and automated security testing.
- Familiarity with safety-critical systems, MIL-STD-882, and cybersecurity considerations in airworthiness and system safety.
- Experience with GitHub Enterprise, GitHub Actions, Docker, Artifactory, and embedded development toolchains.
- Experience developing cybersecurity architectures, security control matrices, security verification procedures, and risk assessments.
- Active U.S. security clearance.
What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will establish practical, effective cybersecurity protections that are integrated into Zone 5 products from initial architecture through deployment.
This individual will balance security, safety, performance, and operational requirements while ensuring our systems remain resilient against cyber threats, unauthorized access, and software vulnerabilities.
Level V: $176,000 - $223,000/yr.
Level VI: $196,000 - $250,000/yr.
Pay range for this role
$176,000—$250,000 USD
What's in it for you:
Benefits:
- Competitive total compensation package
- Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
- 401k with company-match
- 3 weeks of paid time off each year
- 40 hours of sick time
- 12 annual company holidays
Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?
- Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
- Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
- Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.
