U.S. Citizenship Required Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry‑level (0‑2 yrs) $70k–$100k; mid‑level (2‑5 yrs) $100k–$150k; senior‑level (5+ yrs) $150k–$250k. Contractors may add signing bonuses and relocation packages, especially for DoD projects.

Core certifications: CompTIA Security+, CISSP, PMP, and DoD CMMC. Technical stack: C++, Python, Java, AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, and GRC tools. Knowledge of FIPS 140‑2, NIST SP 800‑53, and secure coding practices is mandatory.

Remote work is allowed for non‑classified tasks and many contractor positions. For clearance holders, on‑site presence is required for classified briefings, but secure VPN access lets analysts perform most duties from approved locations.

Typical paths: Analyst → Senior Analyst → Lead Analyst → Program Manager → Project Director. For engineers: Software Engineer → Lead Engineer → Engineering Manager → Technical Director. Advancement often requires additional certifications and demonstrated leadership on multi‑vendor projects.

AI/ML integration in defense systems, quantum encryption research, autonomous vehicle platforms, cloud migration to GovCloud, and heightened focus on cyber‑resilience under the DoD Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Budget increases for cyberwarfare and AI initiatives drive hiring.