Associate Director, Cybersecurity Engineer
At its midpoint, $233k/yr, this role pays more than the $229k/yr midpoint for Security Leadership openings today (usual band $200k–$385k/yr).
The full posting
At Two Six Technologies, we build, deploy, and implement innovative products that solve the world’s most complex challenges today. Through unrivaled collaboration and unwavering trust, we push the boundaries of what’s possible to empower our team and support our customers in building a safer global future.
As an Associate Director, Cybersecurity Engineer, you will provide hands-on technical leadership for a team researching and evaluating hardware and software solutions in support of defensive cyber operations. Drawing from military or government cyber mission experience, you will lead the assessment of engineering prototypes, validate their operational utility, and translate customer needs into practical technical plans. Solutions may include specialized network sensors, hardware networking devices such as FPGA-based firewalls, and software written in languages such as Rust or Python. You will direct technical teams while remaining engaged in technical analysis, testing, and customer collaboration. Vulnerability research may be part of the work when customer requirements call for it.
This is an onsite role based in the Two Six Technologies Laurel, Maryland office, with approximately 20% travel, including customer meetings in Arlington and Herndon as-needed.
Responsibilities
- Manage and mentor technical leads, each managing one to two staff or senior personnel
- As the team grows, participate in hiring, performance management, and career development for team members
- Set technical priorities and plans for research, evaluation, and validation of hardware and software solutions
- Apply defensive cyber operations experience to assess mission needs, operational constraints, and candidate solutions
- Plan and oversee testing of engineering prototypes, including test procedures, measures of effectiveness, and analysis of results
- Conduct hands-on technical analysis and testing when needed, and guide teams through complex technical problems
- Communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations to customers, leadership, and engineering teams
- Coordinate with customers and internal stakeholders to shape requirements and align work to mission needs
- Support vulnerability research when customer requirements call for it
- Establish repeatable technical processes and documentation for evaluations and test activities
Qualifications
- 10+ years of relevant professional experience in one or more related areas, such as incident response, vulnerability research, network engineering, or software development OR comparable experience and education will be considered.
- Demonstrated ability to manage technical staff or leads, set priorities, and mentor senior engineers
- Experience supporting military or government defensive cyber missions
- Experience researching, evaluating, or validating cybersecurity hardware or software solutions
- Experience planning and conducting technical testing of systems, devices, or engineering prototypes
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility or access (TS/SCI)
Preferred Skills
- Experience with cyber operations platforms, defensive tools, network technologies, or security monitoring systems such as Zeek, Snort/Suricata, Splunk, etc
- Experience evaluating specialized network sensors, hardware networking devices such as FPGA-based firewalls, or software written in Rust or Python
- Experience supporting engineering research and development or prototype transition into operational use
- Familiarity with vulnerability assessment or research methods
- Experience leading the delivery of successful contracts to military or government customers
Security Clearance Requirements:
- Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility or access (TS/SCI)
#LI-MS1
Two Six Technologies is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive compensation packages that reflect the value we place on our employees and their contributions. We believe in rewarding skills, experience, and performance. Our offerings include but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance and professional development.
The projected salary range listed for this position is annualized. This is a general guideline and not a guarantee of salary. Salary is one component of our total compensation package and the specific salary offered is determined by various factors, including, but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, geographic location, as well as contract specific affordability and organizational requirements.
Salary Range
$200,000 - $265,000 USD
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Ready to make the first move towards growing your career? If so, check out the Two Six Technologies Candidate Journey ! This will give you step-by-step directions on applying, what to expect during the application process, information about our rich benefits and perks along with our most frequently asked questions. If you are undecided and would like to learn more about us and how we are contributing to essential missions, check out our Two Six Technologies News page! We share information about the tech world around us and how we are making an impact! Still have questions, no worries! You can reach us at Contact Two Six Technologies . We are happy to connect and cover the information needed to assist you in reaching your next career milestone.
Two Six Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type and protective hair styles (e.g., braids, twists, locs and twists)), color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and over), marital status, disability, genetic information, and protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information review the Two Six Technologies Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy and the EEO Poster .
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request reasonable workplace accommodation for any part of our employment process, please send an email to accommodations@twosixtech.com . Information provided will be kept confidential and used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
Additionally, please be advised that this business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices.
By submitting the following application, I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, the information provided is true and accurate.
Text as Two Six Technologies published it; last compared with the original on 11 Nov 2026.
The application
Your details and CV, then 12 questions.
- 1.Please provide your CityShort answer
- 2.Please select your StatePick one (51 options)
- 3.Please provide your Zip CodeShort answer
- 4.Are you eligible for a DoD security clearance?Yes or no
- 5.Security ClearancePick one (8 options)
- 6.Desired SalaryPick one (12 options)
- 7.Have you worked for Two Six Technologies or an affiliate in the past? If so, please provide the name of the team you supported and dates of employment.Short answer
- 8.Are you a current or former direct employee of any government institutions (including any governmental entities at the federal/national, state/provincial, and local levels and including publicly funded institutions)?Pick one: No, I was never a government employee · Yes, I am a former government employee · Yes, I am a current government employee
- 9.Are you currently bound by any non-compete or employment agreement?Pick one: Yes · No · Unsure
- 10.Please provide your Legal NameShort answer
- 11.Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?Yes or no
- 12.Do you now, or will you in the future, require company sponsorship for an employment visa? (e.g. H-1B, E-3, TN status)Yes or no
Taken from Two Six Technologies's application form as it stood on 11 Nov 2026.
The employer: Two Six Technologies
Builds cyber, electronic warfare and mission technology for US national security; its researchers find vulnerabilities in software and electronics.
Pay and benefits: Government-program jobs, many needing a security clearance.
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