What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Engineer position at CDM Innovations?
CDM has an exciting new opportunity for a Principal Engineer in support of US Central Operations Command. We are looking for an individual with senior level experience using Security Platforms, Automation, and AI, operating at the intersection of hands-on engineering and program support. The position supports delivery execution, architecture decisions, and engineering direction while partnering with program leadership.
This role is responsible for leading key technical efforts across cybersecurity engineering, platform development, and data-driven capabilities. The position emphasizes execution, technical mentorship, and advisory input into design and operational decisions.
Responsibilities
Cybersecurity Engineering & Architecture
- Contribute to the design and implementation of cybersecurity solutions across cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments
- Provide subject matter expertise in areas such as Zero Trust, Identity and Access Management (IAM), and system hardening
- Support incident response, vulnerability remediation, and security operations activities
- Ensure engineering efforts align with NIST 800-53, RMF, STIGs, and contractual requirements
Platform Engineering & Automation
- Develop and maintain automation scripts and tools to support security operations and infrastructure management
- Implement infrastructure-as-code (IaC) and contribute to scalable platform solutions
- Integrate security controls into system architectures and CI/CD workflows
AI, Data Engineering & Analytics
- Support development of data pipelines for security and operational analytics
- Contribute to analytics capabilities including anomaly detection and reporting
- Assist in integrating AI/ML-enabled features into cybersecurity workflows
Program Support & Technical Influence
- Act as a senior technical contributor within a single program, advising on architecture and engineering decisions
- Translate program requirements into actionable engineering tasks
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to assigned junior engineers or direct reports
- Collaborate with program leadership and stakeholders to shape implementation approaches
Operational Support & Continuous Improvement
- Analyze system performance, operational data, and security metrics to identify risks and improvement opportunities
- Maintain required documentation and support audits and compliance activities
- Identify inefficiencies and contribute to corrective actions within the program
Qualifications:
Minimum Experience
- 10 years of experience in cybersecurity or information security engineering
- 3–5 years operating in a leadership, senior, or principal-level engineering role
Citizenship
- Must be a U.S. citizen
Clearance
- Background check is required
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)
Certifications
- Cloud Security: AWS Security Specialty, Azure SC-100, or equivalent
- One or more of the following (or comparable): CISSP, CISM, GCIH, OSCP, GIAC certifications
Experience
- Strong background in enterprise systems security within regulated environments (DoD, Federal Civilian, or Intelligence Community)
- Experience aligning engineering efforts to NIST 800-53, RMF lifecycle, STIG implementation, and FedRAMP principles
- Experience supporting Authority to Operate (ATO), system accreditation, and compliance audits
- Familiarity with FAR/DFARS requirements and secure handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
- Demonstrated ability to operate within contract-driven environments with performance-based execution
- Experience with coordination and integration across multiple programs (cross-program / horizontal integration), consistent with CDM multi-program delivery models
Preferred Experience
- Master’s degree in a related technical field with relevant cybersecurity experience
- Experience supporting DoD, DHS, Intelligence Community (IC), or Special Operations Forces (SOF) programs
- Familiarity with STIGs, RMF lifecycle, and FedRAMP environments
- Experience with DevSecOps, automation, and infrastructure-as-code
- Familiarity with VDI environments and data engineering concepts
- Experience supporting continuous monitoring and audit readiness within RMF frameworks
Must have:
Strong experience using Python or similar level scripting languages
Strong experience setting up and maintaining Microsoft, Azure or Google Cloud
Strong experience with DoW RMF Security Practices
Additional Information
Preferred Location: Tampa, FL
Work Location: Remote
Travel: Approximately 10%