Technical Consultant

Job Description: Technical Consultant – 2026

Open Position: Zeichner Risk Analytics (ZRA) has an immediate, full-time, hybrid position for a Technical Consultant to support government R&D programs focused on emerging technologies and cybersecurity. Salary range is $90,000 - $130,000, depending on experience.

About ZRA: Zeichner Risk Analytics (ZRA) is a boutique cybersecurity consulting firm in Arlington, Virginia that provides policy, legal, risk, and management consulting services to private sector and federal government clients. ZRA provides consulting services to prominent public and private entities that operate in challenging and contested cybersecurity domains. We work closely with high-level stakeholders to create strategies to address cutting edge issues and set the course for future technology development.

Location: The position is based in the Washington, D.C. area (Arlington, VA) and is a hybrid position that will include 3 days a week in-office time; local candidates or those with the ability to relocate to the Washington D.C. area preferred.

Technical Analysis and Research

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify patterns, evaluate risks, and develop actionable insights.
• Apply mathematical methods, statistical reasoning, and structured problem solving to technical and operational challenges.
• Research emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, technical policy, and operational trends; assess their relevance to client and corporate objectives.
• Develop metrics, key performance indicators, benchmarks, analytical reports, and research summaries to support decision-making.

Systems Analysis and Process Improvement

• Analyze systems, workflows, requirements, and interdependencies to identify gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support systems engineering activities, requirements development, technical planning, and evaluation of processes and products.
• Create process flows, workflow diagrams, technical graphics, and other materials that explain systems and support implementation.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of corporate tools, systems, products, and intellectual property.

Technical Deliverables and Quality

• Translate research and analysis into clear technical reports, briefings, presentations, visualizations, and recommendations.
• Explain complex technical concepts accurately and effectively for technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Review deliverables for analytical accuracy, clarity, consistency, completeness, and alignment with project requirements.
• Organize assigned work, meet deadlines, and produce professional materials ready for senior review and client delivery.

Client Engagement and Team Collaboration

• Participate in client meetings and working sessions under the guidance of senior staff.
• Capture requirements, decisions, action items, and research findings in organized, accessible formats.
• Communicate progress, questions, dependencies, and potential issues proactively.
• Build productive relationships with clients and colleagues through responsiveness, sound judgment, and reliable follow-through.
• Maintain and share project knowledge to support collaboration, continuity, and informed decision-making.

Qualifications

·        Bachelor’s degree in relevant field(s), including cybersecurity, national security, international affairs, political science, risk management, or business.

·        2 years professional experience in national security, intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, or consulting.

·        Active security clearance (any level).

·        A foundation in a technical or analytical discipline, demonstrated through education, research, professional experience, or a combination of these.

·        Ability to apply quantitative analysis, statistical reasoning, and structured research methods to practical problems.

·        Understanding of systems thinking, process analysis, and the relationships among technical and operational requirements.

·        Ability to synthesize complex information and produce clear written, visual, and verbal communications.

·        Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to accuracy and quality.

·        Ability to manage assigned tasks, incorporate feedback, and work effectively with guidance from senior staff.

·        Professional interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse teams and clients.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting technical consulting, systems engineering, data analysis, or technology research.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, risk analysis, or government mission environments.
• Experience developing analytical reports, performance metrics, data visualizations, requirements, or workflow documentation.
• Experience presenting technical findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Additional Information:

·        Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment drug test and background review, which includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications.

·        Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain an upper-level security clearance (Top Secret), which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

·        Applicants offered employment are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

·        Applicants for employment also need to be able to obtain and maintain DHS Suitability.

·        For more information on security clearance requirements, please visit https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf

·        As part of holding and maintaining a security clearance, selected candidates may be given random tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR 707.4 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-10/chapter-III/part-707), and subsequent reinvestigations may be required.

• 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 document form upon hire.