Security Engineer

About this role

Important Notice for Applicants:
At Bixal, we want to ensure a transparent and secure application process for all candidates. Official communication will come from an email address ending in @bixal.com or from @bixal.na.teamtailor-mail.com. Messages from other sources may be fraudulent, and you should exercise care to avoid any links or attachments included.

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Why Bixal?
Bixal is a consulting company headquartered in Fairfax, VA, working alongside governments and organizations to help them deliver better services and experiences to the communities they serve. Using evidence-based knowledge and technology, Bixal empowers clients to deliver on their missions more effectively by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
Our values:

• People-First: Emphasizing the importance of people in all aspects of work.

• Collaboration and Transparency: Valuing teamwork and open communication.

• Growth Mindset: Encouraging innovation and continuous improvement.

• Creating Lasting Impact: Focusing on meaningful outcomes and positive change.

About the role:
Bixal is seeking a Security Engineer to serve as security lead for a FIPS 199 Moderate federal platform that supports governmentwide regulatory planning and review. Federal agencies, oversight offices, and the public rely on these systems, which must stay available 24/7/365 while a modern replacement is built alongside them.
You will protect both. On the legacy side, you will keep a Java, Oracle, and Red Hat environment hardened, patched, and compliant. On the modernization side, you will build security into a new cloud-based platform from day one so it is ready for an Authority to Operate (ATO) when it reaches production. Because work can shift between the two, we're looking for someone comfortable moving between sustaining an existing system and securing a new one.
This is a client-facing role. You will be the program's named security lead, working with the client's technical leads, our Project Manager, and the engineering team, and translating security requirements into practical decisions that keep delivery moving.
This is a full-time position on an awarded contract with a 12-month base period and two 12-month option periods. This role offers you a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a project that aligns with Bixal’s mission of delivering innovative, human-centered solutions. While the role has a fixed duration, we are committed to transparency and collaboration, keeping you informed about contract updates and new opportunities. At Bixal, we support your professional journey, ensuring your experience reflects our inclusive, purpose-driven culture and prepares you for future success.
LocationThis role can work remotely from anywhere in the USA. You must be legally authorized to work in the US. Bixal does not provide visa sponsorship.
Compensation:The salary range for this role is $130,000 – $140,000. In the spirit of transparency, most offers tend to land near the midpoint of the range. We make compensation decisions thoughtfully, considering your experience, the skills you bring, and our commitment to internal equity. Fairness and transparency are core to how we operate.
Responsibilities:
Vulnerability Management & Security Operations

• Run automated vulnerability scans of operating systems, databases, and web applications, and lead remediation and patching across Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Oracle, Apache/Tomcat, and Java application components.

• Meet contractual remediation timelines for scan and penetration test findings (15 days for critical, 30 for high, 60 for medium, 120 for low), and document Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) when a timeline cannot be met.

• Harden systems against GSA security benchmarks and CIS Level 1 guidelines.

• Track end-of-life software, unsupported libraries, and known vulnerabilities, and raise risks early with a recommended path forward.

• Support continuous monitoring, log review, and incident response in line with NIST SP 800-61.

• Support continuity of operations (COOP) and disaster recovery planning and testing.

Compliance, Assessment & Authorization

• Maintain the system's assessment and authorization (A&A) package under NIST SP 800-37 and SP 800-53 Rev. 5, including the System Security and Privacy Plan, contingency plan, business impact analysis, incident response plan, and contingency plan test report.

• Maintain POA&Ms and support Government-led security assessments, control reviews, and penetration testing.

• Support privacy compliance artifacts such as Privacy Threshold Assessments and Privacy Impact Assessments.

• Keep security documentation current as legacy capabilities are replaced and retired.

Secure Development & Modernization

• Perform threat modeling for new features, integrations, and architecture decisions.

• Embed static and dynamic security testing (such as Snyk and OWASP ZAP) in CI/CD pipelines so every release meets OWASP ASVS with no unresolved medium or high findings.

• Review releases for security impact before production, protecting availability.

• Advise on secure architecture for the modernized platform, including federated identity, FIPS 140-validated encryption, Zero Trust principles, and software supply chain security.

• Prepare security…