Applied AI Researcher - Cyber Analysis and Exploitation

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The Cyber-Physical Systems Development Group at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking an Applied AI Researcher to address challenges facing the defense and intelligence communities. The group develops capabilities to analyze and exploit technologies that sense, communicate, and operate in the real world, including cameras, drones, networking equipment, mobile devices, and wearables. These technologies can provide intelligence through their data and signals, while vulnerabilities in their software and communications may be exploited to degrade or deny their operation. The Applied AI Researcher develops software systems that create mission capabilities against complex cyber-physical systems and emerging technologies, and applies AI and machine learning to automate operations, accelerate analysis, support intelligent decision-making, and deliver operational effects. The role leads research and development efforts, architects technical solutions, manages multidisciplinary engineering teams, and transitions capabilities to government sponsors and operational users. It also identifies emerging technologies, engages sponsors, defines research directions, mentors engineers, and fosters collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another discipline relevant to the duties.
At least 3 years of relevant experience in software engineering, cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, or related technical fields.
Strong programming skills in Python, C/C++, Rust, or similar languages, with experience developing, testing, and delivering reliable analytical tools and applications.
Experience applying machine learning, large language models, and/or agentic AI to extract actionable insights, characterize system behavior, automate technical investigations, and/or accelerate engineering solutions.
Ability to independently define technical approaches, take ownership of challenging problems, and drive efforts to completion.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including engaging sponsors, presenting technical findings, and translating operational needs into engineering solutions.
Ability to obtain an Interim Top Secret clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain a Top Secret security clearance; eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
At least 5 years of relevant experience, including leading small technical teams, mentoring junior engineers, and delivering innovative capabilities to operational users.
Experience with network protocols, packet analysis, traffic characterization, wireless communications (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular), or device fingerprinting and identification.
Experience with vulnerability discovery, reverse engineering, threat analysis, offensive or defensive cyber operations, or software supply chain security.
Experience with embedded systems, IoT devices, sensors, edge computing, or developing and deploying software on resource-constrained platforms.
Experience with time-series analysis, anomaly detection, sensor fusion, behavioral modeling, entity tracking, or extracting actionable intelligence from heterogeneous data sources.

Responsibilities

Develop software systems that create novel mission capabilities against complex cyber-physical systems and emerging technologies.
Apply AI and machine learning to automate operations, accelerate analysis, enable intelligent decision-making, and deliver operational effects.
Lead advanced research and development efforts by architecting technical solutions, managing multidisciplinary engineering teams, and transitioning capabilities to government sponsors and operational users.
Identify emerging technologies, engage with sponsors, and define research directions addressing evolving intelligence and operational challenges.
Mentor engineers and foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.