McCrary Research & Development Lab Manager

Position Information

Requisition Number: S5042P

Home Org Name:
Charles

D. McCrary Institute at AU

Division Name:
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Position Title:

McCrary Research & Development Lab Manager

Job Class Code: JA34

Appointment Status:
Full-time, Part-time, FTE, Limited Term

Limited Term Length:
Yes

This position will be located on the campus at Auburn University. The Charles

D. McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University seeks an accomplished technical leader to serve as McCrary Research & Development Lab Manager. Reporting to the Senior Technical & Lab Director, this position manages R & D personnel and tested operations in the McCrary’s Edge Lab, serving as the Institute’s national proving ground for cybersecurity assurance, independent, and real-world resilience testing.

The Manager is responsible for designing, leading, and delivering complex research projects that test, measure, and strengthen the cybersecurity of America’s most critical systems.

• Manage the lab as McCrary’s center for independent cybersecurity testing, evaluation, and assurance across operational technology (OT), cyber security, hybrid cloud system, information technology (IT), and artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
• Direct projects and use case testing under the Southeast Region Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (SERC3), focusing on energy, water, communications, transportation and critical infrastructure resilience.
• Design and execute adversary-informed testing, red/blue team exercises, zero-trust pilots, and continuity-under-compromise evaluations.
• Develop and maintain rigorous methodologies for OT/ICS, AI/ML development, RF/communications systems, and multi-domain cyber tools.
• Lead technical execution for programs including DOE/SERC3, USSS Forensics, DOT/FTA RF Toolkit, and USDA/State Program Hygiene Tools, ensuring deliverables meet sponsor expectations.
• Produce authoritative technical reports, playbooks, and findings that inform both operational sponsors and national policy discussions.
• Strengthen partnerships with national laboratories, AI and cybersecurity technology companies, and industry consortia to advance standards-based R&D operations.
• Represent McCrary as the R&D authority at technical working groups, industry forums, and federal program reviews.
• Mentor engineers, analysts, and student researchers engaged in R&D and testing programs.
• Support capture and proposal development by providing technical insight into test design, frameworks, and performance measurement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Life-Changing Impact:
  Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence:
  We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You:
  Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama:
  The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone:
  Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a closely related field and 7 years of experience in cloud systems, cybersecurity testing, software development and network systems.

Deep technical expertise across multiple domains: cloud, dev‑ops, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure tools, and software development.

Strong command of R&D and test methodologies, frameworks, and compliance standards.

Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, operating within agile frameworks, translate sponsor priorities into actionable plans, and produce defensible, high-quality outputs.

Demonstrated experience coordinating across cybersecurity or resilience programs.

Exceptional technical writing,…