Secure Systems Research and Development Engineer

Secure Systems Research and Development Engineer, Cyberspace Operations Research Department, Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), Penn State.

We are searching for a self‑motivated engineer to join our Cyberspace Operations Research Department at the Applied Research Laboratory. The department provides technical expertise in adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to support system evaluation and security hardening for various sponsors.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.

• Research cutting‑edge techniques and technologies for secure system design, implementation, and hardening.
• Leverage expertise in software engineering, system administration, and cybersecurity to address established needs and investigate solutions to emerging requirements.
• Assist the Cyberspace Operations Research Department Head in maintaining relationships with sponsors through on‑site technical discussions, preparation and presentation of technical materials, and project‑related correspondence.
• Provide process enhancement for technical controls implementation, architectural enhancements, and security test and evaluation projects.
• Apply project management principles and methods to the leadership of tasks or projects.
• Provide guidance to lower‑level R&D Engineers to foster professional growth.

• Understand broad strategic objectives and contribute to them; nurture and maintain relationships with major customers and grantors of external research and development grant funding.
• Identify grant/project follow‑on work and persuade customers and grantors to fund; impact customer decisions and strategies.
• Initiate new project concepts and seek funding; develop technical proposals and make presentations to customers and grant sponsors.
• Mentor department staff in the development of technical, project, and business development skills.

• Documented application of software engineering or system engineering principles.
• Embedded or cloud system development and secure configuration.
• Computer networking fundamentals, Windows and Unix operating system administration.
• Software programming, programming languages, and development environments (including at minimum C, Java, and Python).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity testing and penetration testing tools and methodologies.
• Ability to express technical information clearly and concisely in documents and presentations for senior leaders.
• Active government security clearance at SECRET level.

• AI to security testing, evaluation, and issue mitigation or remediation.
• Microcontroller or single board computer design and implementation (e.g., Arduino, STM
  32, Raspberry Pi); radio frequency signal analysis; or industrial control system communication protocol security.
• Demonstrated history of successful project initiation efforts.
• Automation of cybersecurity testing workflows (e.g., using Ansible playbooks).
• Agile software development methodology and tools.
• Atlassian products (e.g., JIRA, Confluence).

Project‑dependent; ability for on‑site or work from home, based out of Reston, VA (preferred), Annapolis Junction, MD, or State College, PA. Periodic travel to remote locations for testing may be required.

Minimum qualifications vary by level:

• Advanced Professional
  :
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Science and 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Intermediate Professional
  :
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Science and 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Professional
  :
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Science; no prior relevant work experience required.

Salary range: $92,100.00 – $. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; robust retirement plans; substantial paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick time); and a generous 75% tuition discount for employees, spouses, and children.

Employment requires successful completion of background checks in accordance with University policies. Candidates must be eligible for a government security clearance, participate in ARL drug testing, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. Only U.S. citizens may apply.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.