Our AnaVator Spotlight series highlights employees who shape our company culture, drive meaningful impact, and bring their unique talents to the work we do every day. This month, we’re excited to feature Austin, a Principal Cyber Security Architect/Engineer.
Since joining AnaVation in November 2021, Austin has been at the intersection of technical work, continuous learning, and team collaboration. As a Principal Cyber Security Architect and Engineer, he brings a wide-ranging skillset to his role. Austin’s journey at AnaVation has been marked by exploration across domains, from embedded reverse engineering to full-stack development and even business development. “Since joining AnaVation, I’ve been able to develop my skills across a broad spectrum,” he shares. “There’s always an opportunity to dive into something new and challenging.” One of the most meaningful aspects of his professional growth has been AnaVation’s investment in employee development. Austin used his corporate development funds to attend the prestigious BlackHat conference in Las Vegas. Not only did he gain insights from the event, but he also shared his knowledge with his peers during an internal brownbag session—just one example of the culture of knowledge exchange that strengthens the collective expertise of our teams and our commitment to continuous learning.
Austin attributes much of his growth to the support and collaboration of the people around him. “The coworkers I work with and the new people I’ve met along the way have been instrumental in my development. I love being able to work alongside a solid team of engineers,” he says, is the most favorite part of his job. For Austin, AnaVation’s culture stands out for its emphasis on mentorship and development. He values the company’s leadership and team dynamics, explaining how his supervisors bridge the gap between engineering teams and customer needs, while his teammates excel in building self-forming, balanced teams. This mutual support helps foster a work environment where innovation and mentorship thrive. Though he doesn’t cite a single mentor, he’s inspired by the many colleagues who lead by example—people of character whom he strives to emulate. Reflecting on what’s kept him at AnaVation, Austin doesn’t hesitate: “The diversity of the work and the quality of the engineers I am fortunate enough to work alongside.” It’s a simple but powerful reminder of what makes our company a special place to build a career—meaningful work complemented with service excellence by a strong team where people are supported and inspired by each other.
On the weekends, Austin enjoys discovering historic places around northern Virginia and D.C. with his wife. His favorite holiday tradition he looks forward to is skiing on Christmas Eve morning, where the slopes occasionally feature a skiing Santa. Outside of work, Austin has recently picked up amateur radio as a hobby. With his newly acquired HAM license, he’s enjoying diving into the RF spectrum and experimenting with software-defined radios. It’s a natural fit for someone who loves both history and technology. Fun fact: he recently discovered that he may be a direct descendant of Alfred the Great—a fun genealogical twist for a cybersecurity expert. In addition, he humbly jokes that one of his hidden “talents” is being especially bad at competitive video games.
Austin is a strong example of what it means to be an AnaVator: someone who is constantly learning, collaborating, and finding joy in both challenge and community. His journey is just one of the many talented individuals who help shape AnaVation’s culture and success. We’re proud to spotlight Austin and celebrate his contributions to our team and mission.
