What is a Security Engineer at General Dynamics Information Technology?

The role of a Security Engineer at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) is far more than a standard IT support position; it is a critical function in advancing the Department of Defense’s mission to keep the nation safe. You will be joining a team that supports vital programs such as the US Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System eXtended (US BICES-X), which facilitates intelligence sharing on global threats to mission partners and emerging nations.

In this position, you are the guardian of system integrity. You will directly impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data used by the warfighter. Whether you are conducting ACAS vulnerability scanning, analyzing policy compliance, or proposing remediation plans for identified weaknesses, your work ensures that our defense networks remain resilient against evolving cyber threats. You will operate in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment where your technical expertise in tools like Tenable.sc and Nessus directly supports national security objectives.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

The interview process at GDIT is designed to assess not only your technical acumen but also your ability to operate within the strict regulatory frameworks required by the federal government. You should approach your preparation with a focus on both your hands-on technical skills and your understanding of compliance.

Vulnerability Management Proficiency – You must demonstrate deep familiarity with the tools and methodologies used to secure DoD networks. Interviewers will evaluate your experience with ACAS, Nessus Agent, and Tenable.sc. You should be prepared to discuss how you conduct scans, analyze the results, and, crucially, how you prioritize and execute remediation.

Regulatory Compliance & Knowledge – Working in this sector requires strict adherence to federal standards. You will be evaluated on your knowledge of DoD 8570.1 requirements and your understanding of IAT Level II compliance. Candidates must show they understand the "why" behind the policies, not just the "how."

Operational Problem Solving – Beyond the tools, you need to show how you handle pressure. You will be asked about times you prioritized conflicting deadlines or handled high-stress situations. Your ability to maintain composure and deliver results in a mission-critical environment is a key evaluation metric.

Clearance & Integrity – Because this role typically requires a Top Secret/SCI clearance, your background and integrity are scrutinized. You must be prepared for questions regarding your eligibility and history, keeping in mind that federal laws (including those regarding controlled substances) supersede state laws in this context.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for a Security Engineer at GDIT is generally described by candidates as straightforward, professional, and conversational. It typically begins with a recruiter screening to verify your clearance status, certifications (such as Security+), and basic technical qualifications. If you pass this initial check, you will move on to a phone or video interview with the hiring manager.

Subsequent rounds often involve a panel or sequential interviews with technical leads, Tier 2 managers, or project managers. These conversations are designed to gauge your technical depth—specifically regarding the CIA Triad, NOC vs. SOC functions, and vulnerability assessment tools—as well as your cultural fit. The atmosphere is usually welcoming, with interviewers often providing real-time feedback or engaging in a back-and-forth dialogue rather than a strict interrogation.

This timeline illustrates a standard progression from the initial recruiter screen to the final decision. Candidates should use this visual to prepare for a process that moves efficiently but requires readiness at every stage, particularly regarding clearance verification and technical fundamentals.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

The following areas are the core pillars of the GDIT assessment for Security Engineers. You should expect the interviewers to drill down into these specific topics to verify your expertise.

Vulnerability Assessment & Tools

This is the most critical technical component of the role. You must demonstrate hands-on experience with the specific toolsets used in DoD environments.

Be ready to go over:

• ACAS (Assured Compliance Assessment Solution) – Explain your experience implementing and sustaining ACAS across networks.
• Tenable.sc & Nessus – Discuss how you manage Nessus Agents and the Nessus Network Monitor.
• Scanning Strategy – How you configure scans to minimize network impact while maximizing coverage.
• Remediation – The process of analyzing a vulnerability report and creating a mitigation plan for system owners.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe your experience with ACAS vulnerability scanning and how you handle false positives."
• "How do you prioritize vulnerabilities when you have thousands of findings?"

Core Security Concepts

GDIT expects you to have a solid grasp of foundational security theory, as these principles guide every decision you make in the field.

Be ready to go over:

• The CIA Triad – Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability, and how you apply them to system design.
• NOC vs. SOC – The distinct functions of a Network Operations Center versus a Security Operations Center, and how they interact.
• Traffic Flow – Understanding TCP/IP, the OSI model, and how data moves across a secure network.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Explain the CIA Triad and give an example of how a vulnerability assessment supports 'Availability'."
• "What is the difference between the functions of a NOC and a SOC?"

Behavioral & Situational Judgment

Given the high-stakes nature of the work, interviewers need to know you are reliable, self-motivated, and capable of working under pressure.

Be ready to go over:

• Deadline Management – How you handle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication – Your ability to explain technical risks to non-technical leadership.
• Professional Achievement – "Extraordinary" contributions you have made in past roles.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time where you had to work under pressure to prioritize a deadline. How did you achieve it?"
• "Describe something extraordinary that you have done at a workplace."

Key Responsibilities

As a Security Engineer at GDIT, your daily work revolves around maintaining the security posture of critical defense networks. A primary responsibility is conducting and managing ACAS Vulnerability Scanning. You will not just run scans; you will analyze the output from Tenable.sc and Nessus to identify weaknesses that could compromise the mission.

You will act as a bridge between the data and the solution. This involves analyzing vulnerability reports and collaborating with system owners to propose and implement remediation plans. You will frequently coordinate with cybersecurity administrators to improve monitoring tools and increase coverage.

Documentation and compliance are also central to your routine. You will maintain knowledge of applicable policies and regulations, ensuring that all systems remain compliant with directives. Additionally, you may be tasked with developing high-level system design diagrams and presenting technical briefings to senior leadership, requiring you to synthesize complex data into actionable intelligence.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for this position, you must meet specific hard requirements mandated by the Department of Defense contract.

• Must-have Technical Skills:

  • DoD 8570.1 Compliance: You must be IAT Level II compliant (typically requires CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent).
  • ACAS Expertise: Minimum of two years experience building and maintaining ACAS technologies (Tenable.sc, Nessus).
  • Clearance: Active Top Secret/SCI clearance is non-negotiable.

• Experience Level:

  • Typically requires a BA/BS degree and 3+ years of related technical experience.
  • Completion of the ACAS Operator and Supervisor course within the last three years is highly valued.

• Nice-to-have Skills:

  • ITIL V4 Foundation: Certification is often required within six months of hire, so having it beforehand is a plus.
  • Data Analytics: Proficiency with Excel for aggregating and reporting on vulnerability data.
  • Presentation Skills: Experience developing briefings for senior leadership.

Common Interview Questions

The questions below are drawn from real candidate experiences at GDIT. While specific technical questions may vary based on the team (e.g., US BICES-X vs. FAA support), the behavioral and conceptual questions remain consistent.

Behavioral & Experience

• "Tell me about yourself."
• "Describe something extraordinary that you have done at a previous workplace."
• "Tell me about a time where you had to work under pressure to prioritize a deadline and how did you achieve it?"

Technical Concepts

• "What is the CIA Triad?"
• "Do you know the difference between the functions of a NOC vs. a SOC?"
• "Walk me through your experience with ACAS and Tenable.sc."

Operational Scenarios

• "How would you handle a situation where a system owner refuses to patch a critical vulnerability?"
• "Describe your process for analyzing policies and configurations for compliance."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the interview process? Most candidates describe the process as "Easy" to "Average." The difficulty lies less in "gotcha" technical questions and more in demonstrating that you have the specific, verifiable experience with the required tools (ACAS, Nessus) and hold the necessary active clearance.

Q: What is the policy on drug use and background checks? This is a critical area. GDIT is a federal contractor. Even if substances like marijuana are legal in your state or you hold a medical card, federal law prohibits their use for clearance holders. Candidates have been rejected for holding expired medical marijuana cards. Strict adherence to federal laws is required.

Q: Is this role remote or onsite? The Security Engineer role typically requires an onsite presence due to the classified nature of the work (TS/SCI). Locations mentioned include Tampa, FL, and Dedham, MA. You should expect to work in a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility).

Q: What is the culture like for this team? The environment is described as fast-paced and cross-functional. You will be working with an internationally dispersed team supporting combatant commands. Self-motivation and the ability to execute responsibilities without direct supervision are highly valued traits.

Q: How long does the process take? The timeline can be relatively quick once you are engaged. Candidates report smooth conversations where interviewers are on time and provide feedback. However, the background check and clearance transfer process can add time to the final start date.

Other General Tips

Know your acronyms. In the DoD space, fluency in acronyms is a proxy for experience. Be comfortable using terms like IAT, ACAS, STIGs, and BICES naturally in conversation. It signals to the interviewer that you are already part of the ecosystem.

Focus on the "Mission." When answering behavioral questions, frame your success not just in terms of technical uptime, but in terms of mission support. GDIT prides itself on supporting the warfighter. Connecting your vulnerability scanning work to the safety of military personnel demonstrates strong cultural alignment.

Highlight your reporting skills. Technical skills are the baseline, but the ability to "collect, aggregate, synthesize, and report" is a key differentiator. Mention your experience using Excel or dashboarding tools to make vulnerability data actionable for leadership.

Be honest about your clearance status. Your clearance is the ticket to entry. Be upfront about your adjudication status, polygraph dates, and any potential flags. Transparency is essential in the defense industry.

Summary & Next Steps

Becoming a Security Engineer at General Dynamics Information Technology puts you at the forefront of national defense. This role offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge tools like ACAS and Tenable.sc while contributing to a mission that impacts global security. The work is challenging, significant, and requires a professional who is as disciplined in compliance as they are in technical analysis.

To succeed, focus your preparation on the specific tools mentioned (Nessus, ACAS), review the core principles of information security (CIA Triad), and prepare clear, structured stories about how you have managed pressure and delivered results. Approach the process with confidence, knowing that your skills are vital to the safety of the nation's critical infrastructure.

The salary range provided ($85,093 - $96,600) reflects the base compensation for this role. However, final offers at GDIT can be influenced by your specific geographic location, the depth of your specialized experience (particularly with ACAS), and your clearance level. Candidates with active TS/SCI clearances and relevant certifications often have leverage within or above this band.

For more insights and to track other candidates' experiences, visit Dataford. Good luck with your preparation—you are ready to make an impact.