Junior Digital Forensic Analyst

Junior Digital Forensic Analyst

Location:

Arlington, VA (On-site)

Peraton is currently seeking to hire a Junior Digital Forensic Analyst to join our Federal Strategic Cyber program in the Cyber & Intelligence sector. The programs' Computer Investigations and Forensics Division (CIF) recovers and analyzes digital evidence in support of Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) criminal, cyber, and administrative investigations.

• Solve complex investigative challenges and ensure digital evidence meets Department of Justice court‑admissibility standards.
• Conduct forensic examinations of digital data from cellphones, tablets, computers, removable media, cloud sources, and other platforms.
• Apply recognized scientific practices to identify, analyze, interpret, and present digital evidence for criminal, civil, and administrative matters.
• Perform detailed, targeted examinations in line with investigative objectives, legal process, and search warrant limitations.
• Use industry‑standard forensic tools—such as Cellebrite (including Inseyets), Oxygen Forensic Detective, Magnet Forensics Gray Key and Axiom, Nuix, X‑Ways, and similar—for extraction and examination.
• Analyze data from various operating systems and applications, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, cloud services, and common backup formats.
• Produce clear, comprehensive reports that explain findings for investigators, prosecutors, and other stakeholders.
• Provide expert witness testimony, explaining examination procedures and technical findings to non‑technical audiences in federal, state, and local proceedings.
• Provide on‑site support during search warrant executions by identifying, collecting, packaging, documenting, and preserving digital evidence while maintaining strict chain of custody.
• Work closely with program leadership and peers to maintain forensically sound procedures and best practices for acquisition, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence.
• Conduct quality checks of artifacts to ensure accuracy, completeness, and clarity before customer delivery.
• Share lessons learned and emerging techniques with colleagues to enhance collective expertise.
• Stay current on developments in digital forensics, cybersecurity, forensic law, mobile devices and applications, social media platforms, and encryption/decryption methods.

• On‑site role based in Arlington, VA.
• Collaborative, mission‑focused team environment.
• Work may include support during time‑sensitive investigative activities.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 1+ year of relevant experience. An additional 4 years of relevant experience without a degree.
• One of the following certifications, with continued certification required as a condition of employment:
  • GIAC: GCFE or GASF
  • IACIS: CFCE or ICMDE
  • NCFI: BCERT or MDE
  • DoD: CDFE
  • Open Text:
    EnCE
  • Cellebrite: CCO+CCPA or CCME
  • Oxygen Forensics: OFC
  • Magnet Forensics: MCFE
  • X‑Ways: XPERT
• Demonstrated proficiency with mobile and non‑mobile forensic software tools such as Magnet Axiom, Cellebrite, and Oxygen, as well as advanced mobile extraction hardware and software.
• Working knowledge of Windows and macOS, Apple iOS, Android, and their associated backup technologies.
• Experience writing detailed, technically accurate reports that clearly communicate complex digital forensic findings to non‑technical audiences.
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking, creativity, sound judgment, and awareness to recognize when to seek leadership guidance.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and professionally with leadership, peers, forensic analysts, law enforcement, prosecutors, CIF customers, and other stakeholders at all levels to deliver high quality forensic products.
• Willingness and ability to travel for on‑scene evidence seizures, training, and/or testimony.
• Commitment to staying current on advancements in digital forensics, cybersecurity, forensic law, mobile technologies, social media, applications, and encryption.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain an interim Secret clearance before starting, and the ability to obtain and maintain a final Top‑Secret security clearance.

Target Salary Range: $66,000 – $106,000. Compensation is determined by factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, skills and competencies, and geographic location. Employees may also be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.