SYSTEM ENGINEER - Zero Trust - 15+ yrs of Experience - TS/SCI w/Poly clearance is required - IW at Halogen Engineering Group, Inc
Linthicum Heights, MD
$226,000–$232,000
Jul 13, 2026
Linthicum Heights, MD
Jul 21, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A senior-level systems engineering role focused on cybersecurity for large-scale Department of Defense systems, applying Zero Trust principles and an offensive-cyber mindset to defensive operations. Day-to-day work includes vulnerability assessments, independent verification of security requirements, evaluation of contractor proposals, and incorporating security concepts into acquisition documents. The position also carries a team leadership component, with junior systems engineers reporting directly to this role.
Senior level · 15+ years · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD · TS/SCI clearance · Full-time
Pay in the description: $226,000–$232,000
“or” means any one of them counts — you don't need all of them.
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
Why we read it this way (7)
The title and 15+ year requirement suggest a senior/lead-level role; the posting also describes direct reports ('Sr Systems Engineers will report to you directly'), which introduces a management dimension — however, the primary day-to-day work described is technical cybersecurity and systems engineering, so 15-1212 is preferred over 11-3021, with 15-1211 as a secondary option given the heavy systems-engineering framing.
The 15-year minimum is stated as the overall experience floor; a BS in STEM counts for 4 years and an MS for an additional 2 years toward that total, so the degree requirement is effectively optional (equivalent experience accepted) — the degree requirement is set to None accordingly.
The polygraph must be less than 6 years old per the posting; this is captured under the TS/SCI clearance gate.
The 6-year requirement ('6 years as a System Engineer lead') is a role-level gate, not tied to a specific named technology, so it is reflected in the overall years minimum (15) rather than as a per-skill years demanded.
Cybersecurity certifications (Sec+, CISSP, CEH) are listed under Desired Skills and are treated as preferred; the primary name is Sec+ with CISSP and CEH as alternatives since the posting presents them as interchangeable options.
Ignored 2 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): Systems Engineering, NIST SP 800-160.
Requires a TS/SCI clearance — the cleared population is a small fraction of this occupation, so the real candidate pool is materially smaller than the estimate below, which does not model clearance.
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