AI-Enabled Cyber Capabilities Developer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

11h•Onsite

About The Position

Are you passionate about building AI-enabled capabilities that accelerate reverse engineering and vulnerability research? Do you want to design systems that can reason, plan, use tools, and rapidly demonstrate mission impact? If so, we want you to join our group of offensive cyber experts! We are seeking reverse engineers, vulnerability researchers, and cyber capability developers who know how to leverage modern AI technology to solve complex cyber challenges. This is not a traditional software development role! It requires designing AI-native architectures, orchestrating tool-using agents, and rapidly iterating on prototypes that demonstrate functional, outcome-driven impact. We work in a dynamic, mission-driven environment where our efforts have real-world impact. Collaboration is at the heart of our culture, and we value multidisciplinary perspectives, curiosity, and continuous learning. We encourage our staff to explore emerging technologies, share knowledge, and deepen their expertise as they take on some of the nation’s toughest challenges.

Requirements

Have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
At least 5 years of relevant experience
Have experience developing agentic AI systems including planning, memory, tool use, and multi-step reasoning workflows
Are skilled with software debuggers and static analysis tools such as Ghidra
Have experience with modern AI development platforms such as Claude Code, Gemini, Codex, or Copilot
Are proficient with one or more programming languages
Understand Unix/Linux operating systems
Love solving puzzles and have experience persevering through technical challenges
Hold an active TS/SCI clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI+Polygraph clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information; eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Previously held dynamic technical leadership roles and have demonstrated mentoring experience
Have experience applying AI systems to reverse engineering, vulnerability research, or exploit development
Have experience designing production-grade agent workflows, including orchestration, evaluation, guardrails, observability, and reliability testing
Have familiarity with virtualization, emulation, sandboxing, or automated analysis environments
Have knowledge of advanced vulnerability discovery tools
Possess an active TS/SCI clearance with full scope polygraph

Responsibilities

Reverse engineer mission-relevant systems and develop innovative exploits
Design and implement agentic AI systems to automate vulnerability research, reverse engineering, and capability development workflows
Collaborate with government sponsors and operators to build mission-aligned capabilities
Integrate large language models, AI services, external tools, and data sources into full-stack applications for cyber use cases
Propose groundbreaking ideas for internal and external funding opportunities
Mentor teammates in the art and science of using AI to enhance offensive cyber capability development
Share knowledge by clearly articulating ideas through papers and presentations to team members, APL management, and government decision makers