AI Security Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Toffler Associates • Bethesda, MD

20h • Onsite

About The Position

Toffler Associates is seeking an AI Security Subject Matter Expert to support complex client work. Consultants are accountable for the quality of their work, engagement health, team performance, and client relationships. The position requires onsite work in Bethesda, Maryland, and an active, maintained TS/SCI clearance with a CI polygraph.

The role calls for progressive cybersecurity experience with substantial expertise in AI/ML security, data science security, or a closely related field. The SME will apply knowledge of AI/ML security principles, adversarial machine learning, AI-specific threats, secure data architectures, AI governance, and mission assurance. The position also involves AI red teaming or robustness testing, program planning, and supporting federal or intelligence-community missions.

Toffler describes its culture as collaborative, candid, and low-ego. It emphasizes team success, sound judgment, humility, reliability, and stewardship, and expects practitioners to contribute to the broader team and client relationship.

Requirements

• Active and maintained TS/SCI federal or DoD security clearance with a polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, cybersecurity, or a relevant engineering field; a master's degree may substitute for two years of relevant work experience.
• At least 8 years of work experience in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.
• Progressive cybersecurity experience with significant demonstrated experience in AI/ML security, data science security, or a closely related field in a federal government or large-enterprise environment.
• Expert-level knowledge of AI/ML security principles, adversarial ML concepts, and AI-specific threat vectors, including model poisoning, adversarial attacks/evasion, model inversion, and data integrity threats.
• Understanding of secure data architectures and pipelines for large-scale analytics or intelligence production.
• Familiarity with AI governance, data quality, and mission assurance in operational settings.
• Familiarity with federal AI governance frameworks and requirements, including NIST AI RMF, Executive Order 13960, Executive Order 14110, and other AI memoranda and guidance.
• Experience with AI red teaming, adversarial robustness testing, or AI penetration testing methodologies.
• Experience creating program plans, work breakdown structures, and milestone schedules.
• Ability to work onsite in Bethesda, Maryland.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or PhD in cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, or a relevant engineering field, with 8 or more years of work experience.
• Prior experience serving as an AI security SME or advisor supporting a federal civilian agency.
• Experience in the Intelligence Community, including requirements, CONOPS, and transition.
• Experience managing a multidisciplinary R&D or T&E team.
• Experience as a Project Manager or Deputy Project Manager.
• Experience using LLMs and agentic tools in daily workflows.
• Experience using Python, common deep learning frameworks, LLM software infrastructure, and cybersecurity tooling.
• Ability to proactively manage multiple concurrent tasks.
• One or more of the following certifications: CISSP, CISM, CAISS, or equivalent senior-level cybersecurity certification, supplemented by demonstrated AI/ML security expertise.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including developing succinct, comprehensive, understandable documents using complex data from multiple sources.
• Excellent slide development and PowerPoint skills, including visually communicating complex ideas to technically savvy but non-expert audiences.

Responsibilities

• Deliver complex client work and take accountability for its quality.
• Support the health of client engagements, team performance, and client relationships.
• Apply AI/ML security expertise to federal or large-enterprise environments.
• Create program plans, work breakdown structures, and milestone schedules.
• Contribute to collaborative team performance and leave clients, teammates, and the firm stronger.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior