---
title: 'Cybersecurity Engineer - Senior at Spear AI'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/cybersecurity-engineer-senior-spear-ai-bolling-afb-6fcht3frwff9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Cybersecurity Engineer - Senior at Spear AI

- **Company:** Spear AI
- **Location:** Bolling AFB, DC
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2025-10-20
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/spear-ai/c96b13e9-d043-4adb-8cff-7abbc5762fd9

## Job description

Spear AI is a growing defense contracting company dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that support our nation's security. As we expand, we're building a culture where innovation meets mission-critical work. We operate with a flat organizational structure that empowers every team member to make an impact, collaborate directly with leadership, and contribute to projects that matter. Whether you're joining our Hardware, Software, or Services division, you'll work alongside talented professionals who are committed to excellence and advancing the capabilities that keep our nation safe and secure.

Leads cybersecurity initiatives for AI systems operating in classified environments, ensuring robust protection against threats while maintaining operational effectiveness. Develops and implements comprehensive security frameworks for JWICS-based AI applications. Opportunity to work on real-world projects that directly impact warfighter capabilities and mission success.

## Key Responsibilities

- Design and implement security architectures for AI/ML systems in classified environments
- Conduct security assessments and penetration testing of AI applications
- Develop security policies and procedures specific to AI/ML workloads
- Lead incident response activities and forensic analysis for AI system compromises
- Implement advanced threat detection and monitoring solutions
- Ensure compliance with federal security standards (NIST, DoD, IC directives)
- Mentor junior cybersecurity personnel and provide technical guidance
- Coordinate with stakeholders on security requirements and risk assessments

## Qualifications

- 10+ years of cybersecurity experience, preferably in government/defense sectors
- Active TS/SCI clearance with ability to obtain CI Polygraph required
- Professional certifications (CISSP, CISM, CEH, or equivalent)
- Deep knowledge of network security, cryptography, and secure coding practices
- Experience with security tools (SIEM, vulnerability scanners, penetration testing tools)
- Understanding of AI/ML security considerations and adversarial attacks
- AWS security experience highly preferred but not required
- Military experience strongly preferred

What We Offer:

- Unlimited PTO – Take the time you need to recharge and maintain work-life balance
- Dedicated Sick Time – Your health and wellbeing come first
- Comprehensive Health & Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family protected
- 11 Paid Holidays – Enjoy time off throughout the year to celebrate and spend with loved ones
- Professional Development – Educational opportunities and resources to help you grow your skills and advance your career
- Collaborative Environment – Work directly with leadership in our flat organizational structure where your ideas and contributions matter
- Mission-Driven Work – Contribute to projects that directly support national security and make a real-world impact
- Growth Opportunities – Join us during an exciting expansion phase where you can help shape our future

Additional Benefit Opportunities when you choose Spear AI

- 401(k) with company match
- Onsite / Remote / Flexible work arrangements or hybrid options (position dependent)
- Relocation assistance (position dependent)
- Referral bonuses
- Performance bonuses
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Technology home office setup stipend
- Professional certification reimbursement

We offer competitive compensation tailored to your experience, location, and the impact you’ll make. We’re committed to equitable pay and will share a range aligned to your level and geography during the hiring process. In accordance with state law, candidates in jurisdictions such as CA, CO, WA, NY, and others where applicable, will be provided a good-faith salary range upon request and through the hiring process.

This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and is not eligible for overtime pay. Compensation for this position is provided on a salaried basis and is not subject to reduction based on hours worked.

At Spear AI, you'll find more than just a job—you'll join a mission-driven team where your work directly contributes to national security. Our flat organizational structure means your voice matters, your ideas reach leadership, and your impact is visible. As we grow, we're committed to building robust processes and infrastructure that support both our mission and our people. We value collaboration, continuous improvement, and the expertise each team member brings to the table. If you're looking for a place where you can grow professionally while working on projects that truly matter, we'd love to hear from you.

## About Spear AI

## Company Overview- **One-liner**: Spear AI delivers advanced AI/ML software, maritime sensing systems, and engineering services purpose-built for contested maritime and undersea environments to strengthen U.S. national defense and homeland security.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed stage – raised $2.3M in first outside funding)
- **Headquarters**: Washington, D.C., United States (with satellites in Falmouth, MA; Groton, CT; Duluth, MN)
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Michael Hunter (Co-Founder, CEO) and John McGunnigle (Co-Founder, Executive Chairman)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing; National Security AI/ML
- **Target customers**: U.S. Navy, joint forces, interagency operations (B2G); also commercial maritime surveillance (underwater pipelines, cables)
- **Mission or purpose**: “Give maritime and defense teams the technology that actually helps them see what’s happening and respond quickly with confidence.”

## Products & Services
- **Passive Acoustic Sensors**: Hardware sensors that can be attached to buoys or vessels to collect underwater acoustic data.
- **AI Data Labeling & Preparation Software**: A software tool that labels and sorts passive acoustic data, making it ready for AI algorithms. (Awarded a $6M Navy contract for this tool.)
- **Consulting & Engineering Services**: AI/ML integration, cloud architecture, reinforcement learning, and acoustic ML support – modeled after defense tech firms like Palantir.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Funding**: $2.3 million Seed round led by Cortical Ventures and Scare the Bear Capital (July 2025).
- **Key Metric**: $6 million U.S. Navy contract for data-labeling tool (awarded July 2025).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Cortical Ventures (AI-focused VC), Scare the Bear Capital (private equity).
- **Growth Signals**: ~69 employees (LinkedIn) as of late 2025/early 2026; planning to double headcount to support government contracts and commercial expansion; active job postings (13 open positions); offices in 4 U.S. locations.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Deep domain expertise**: Founders are former Navy intelligence analyst (Hunter) and retired submarine commander / Project Harbinger co-founder (McGunnigle).
- **Hardware + software integration**: Proprietary sensors combined with AI-ready data pipelines – a rare combination in the undersea domain.
- **Early Navy traction**: $6M contract and ongoing relationships with naval and special operations units.
- **Clear mission focus**: Purpose-built for contested maritime environments, not generic defense AI.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scale headcount**: Use seed funding to double the team and support growing government contracts.
- **Expand commercial verticals**: Monitor underwater pipelines, cables, and other critical infrastructure.
- **Deepen AI capabilities**: Continue developing reinforcement learning and acoustic ML for submarine and surface vessel operations.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Mission**: “We take care of our crew” – strong emphasis on impact, autonomy, and solving hard national security problems.
- **Work flexibility**: Remote / onsite / flexible arrangements; relocation assistance if onsite is required.
- **Compensation & perks**: Performance bonuses, comprehensive health/dental/vision, 401(k) matching, unlimited PTO.
- **Growth opportunities**: Employees shape the company’s future; direct access to founders during hiring process.
- **Engineering culture**: Practical coding exercises (GitHub, online assessments), hands-on hardware exercises, and team interviews that reflect real work.
- **Hiring process**: Transparent multi-step process including recruiter screen, technical exercise, team meetings, and founder conversation.

## Sources
1. [spear.ai/about](https://www.spear.ai/about)
2. [spear.ai/careers](https://www.spear.ai/careers)
3. [linkedin.com/company/spear-ai](https://linkedin.com/company/spear-ai)
4. [thestar.com.my](https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2025/07/26/spear-ai-raises-first-round-of-funding-to-apply-ai-to-submarine-data)
5. [jobs.lever.co/spear-ai](https://jobs.lever.co/spear-ai)

## Other roles at Spear AI

- [AI IC Mission Engineer - Mid](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-ic-mission-engineer-mid-spear-ai-bolling-afb-jm6fmz2z82d4) — Bolling AFB, DC
- [Software Engineer (SWE) - Senior](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-swe-senior-spear-ai-bolling-afb-3qpx52bf8rv7) — Bolling AFB, DC
- [Data Engineer - Mid](https://feeny.ai/job/data-engineer-mid-spear-ai-bolling-afb-rne3v75v0ywn) — Bolling AFB, DC
- [RAI Implementation Engineer - Senior](https://feeny.ai/job/rai-implementation-engineer-senior-spear-ai-bolling-afb-0xbgr4mdfyzy) — Bolling AFB, DC
- [Machine Learning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-spear-ai-washington-0ant2kbxvxha) — Washington, DC
- [Data Engineer - Senior](https://feeny.ai/job/data-engineer-senior-spear-ai-bolling-afb-3jx8xgqf40kk) — Bolling AFB, DC
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- [Mission Data Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-data-engineer-spear-ai-washington-1jf4j2zf7v3x) — Washington, DC
- [Mission Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-engineer-spear-ai-washington-pfshakmwgb4a) — Washington, DC
- [Full-Stack Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/full-stack-engineer-spear-ai-washington-a9tannn73q44) — Washington, DC