Principal Scientist

About Galois

Who We Are: From building digital engineering tools that make space exploration safer to verifying cryptographic libraries that protect some of the world's most valuable data, Galois develops technology to guarantee the trustworthiness of systems where failure is unacceptable.

What We Do: We believe trustworthy systems are built on a formal mathematical foundation. Our researchers apply formal analysis techniques to the design and verification of critical software systems, allowing us to model, analyze, and mathematically prove that a system behaves exactly as intended under all circumstances. With clients including NASA, DARPA, AWS, and the Department of Defense, we leverage our cutting-edge research to deliver high assurance solutions and tools that enhance security, reliability, and operational efficiency across sectors including aerospace & defense, healthcare, semiconductors, and fintech.

Life at Galois: People are the foundation of Galois's success. As an employee-owned company, we care not only about the technologies we develop, but also the path we take to create them. Galois operates under a highly collaborative organizational model that encourages leadership and teamwork and respects the individuals.

For more on our culture and organizational structure, visit Life at Galois.

About This Role

We're seeking multiple Principal Scientists to drive a research agenda and develop R&D opportunities at the intersection of Formal Methods and one or more of our four Research Areas:

• Rigorous Digital Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Science
• Software & Systems Analysis
• Advanced Cryptography and Privacy

In this role, you will lead externally-funded research programs, engage directly with government and industry clients, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate your research into deployable solutions that solve real-world challenges. You'll publish and present your findings, mentor junior staff, and help set the national and global agenda for trustworthy systems.

What You'll Bring

• Formal Methods
  
  Experience:
  
  Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, with a track record of high-quality research (publications, patents, or open-source tools) in formal verification, theorem proving, static analysis, or related areas
• Domain Mastery:
  Demonstrated expertise in at least one of our four research areas with evidence of applied projects or publications
• Funding & Program Leadership:
  Proven success securing external research grants or contracts, and managing projects from proposal to delivery
• Client Engagement & Communication:
  Exceptional technical writing and presentation skills; experience translating research outcomes into clear, compelling solutions for government or industry partners
• Collaborative Mentorship: A passion for coaching and inspiring technical teams, fostering a culture of creativity, curiosity, innovation, and ownership

Responsibilities

• Program Development:
  Develop and lead an externally funded research program involving frequent client and government agency interactions
• Technical Leadership:
  Define research roadmaps that integrate formal methods with your domain expertise
• Cross-Sector
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Build partnerships across Galois, academia, government, and industry to advance active research and development programs
• Thought Leadership:
  Publish and speak on your work, establishing a reputation for thought leadership in your domain of expertise
• Mentorship:
  Guide junior engineers and cultivate an inclusive environment where diverse ideas flourish

Eligibility & Clearance

• Must be willing to undergo a security investigation and will need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information (Active clearance strongly preferred)
• Must not require a U.S. government export license to authorize access to export-controlled technology and software required to perform this role

Location

We enjoy a hybrid work environment, and candidates may be based out of any of our offices in Arlington, VA, Dayton, OH, Minneapolis, MN, or Portland, OR. Additionally, being located in Boston, MA is also welcome.

Benefits

We offer a…