2027 Graduate - Cybersecurity Engineer - Constrained Cyber Solutions

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking computer scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to help us build novel solutions for multiple U.S. Government sponsors. Together, we solve complex technical challenges at the intersection of software, hardware, and cyber operations. Our team works collaboratively with industry, academia, and government to study, compose, develop, implement, and test cyber capabilities applied to air, space, afloat, ground, and undersea platforms and systems. We value creativity, collaboration, and the open exchange of ideas, and we believe in learning, experimenting, and professional growth. As a member of our team, the primary responsibilities will include contributing to areas of research and development such as: Advanced Cryptography: Research, develop, and transition novel cryptographic technologies into mission-relevant capabilities. Embedded Solutions: Develop low-level software, firmware, FPGA logic, and low-SWaP cyber capabilities for constrained platforms and protocols, including prototype development and performance optimization. Offensive Security: Analyze potential cyber vulnerabilities in hardware and software systems and assess their mission impact. Cyber Mission Engineering and Operationalization: Work with mission and domain experts to help ensure developed capabilities are integrated, validated, and operationalized within larger operational systems. Constrained Cyber Integration, Test, Evaluation, and Deployment: Design network and physical testbeds, virtualized ranges, and evaluation workflows to rapidly integrate, test, evaluate, validate, and support deployment of cyber capabilities in constrained mission environments. You will research capability gaps in current platforms and build solutions as part of a team with a variety of STEM-related backgrounds (systems engineering, software, hardware, physics, mathematics). You will work alongside highly-skilled cyber and engineering professionals to solve challenges vital to national security. You'll gain experience giving technical briefings and presentations. You will have access to internal funding opportunities to craft the direction of future research.

Requirements

Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Space Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
Experience in one or more of the following: Python, Rust, VHDL, Verilog, C, C++, Java, MATLAB, or another popular programming language.
Have an educational background, research, project experience, or demonstrated curiosity in at least one of the following categories: Advanced Cryptography: Algorithm development, applied mathematics, cryptography, or current cryptographic approaches. Embedded Solutions: Low-level programming in C, C++, or Rust; firmware development; FPGA development using VHDL or Verilog; embedded systems; analog or digital circuit design; constrained protocols; or low-SWaP system design and optimization. Offensive Security: Cyber vulnerability assessment, red teaming, penetration testing, exploit development, or reverse engineering of hardware or software systems. Cyber Mission Engineering and Operationalization: Systems engineering, requirements decomposition, mission analysis, integration, verification and validation, or operationally focused technical problem solving. Constrained Cyber Integration, Test, Evaluation, and Deployment: Building network testbeds, virtualized ranges, automated test workflows, or evaluation environments to assess cyber capabilities.
Able to obtain a Top Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI-level clearance.
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

Experience implementing cryptographic algorithms using languages such as C, C++, or Python is a plus.
Have an active security clearance.
Previous relevant experience in internships, professional roles, or personal work in the categories listed under the minimum requirements.
Coursework, internship, research, project, or demonstrated experience with computer networking concepts such as TCP/IP, sockets, packet capture, and protocol analysis, network configuration, routing, switching, or virtual networks.
Skills working with a wide variety of technologies, such as: Linux familiarity.
Experience with modern cybersecurity tools, including network and protocol analysis, firmware analysis, and embedded system security.
Software application development experience.
Hardware programming experience.
Skills in offensive or defensive cyber, including experience from university cybersecurity competitions such as Capture the Flag, hackathons, cyber clubs, or similar activities.

Responsibilities

Research, develop, and transition novel cryptographic technologies into mission-relevant capabilities.
Develop low-level software, firmware, FPGA logic, and low-SWaP cyber capabilities for constrained platforms and protocols, including prototype development and performance optimization.
Analyze potential cyber vulnerabilities in hardware and software systems and assess their mission impact.
Work with mission and domain experts to help ensure developed capabilities are integrated, validated, and operationalized within larger operational systems.
Design network and physical testbeds, virtualized ranges, and evaluation workflows to rapidly integrate, test, evaluate, validate, and support deployment of cyber capabilities in constrained mission environments.
Research capability gaps in current platforms and build solutions as part of a team with a variety of STEM-related backgrounds (systems engineering, software, hardware, physics, mathematics).
Work alongside highly-skilled cyber and engineering professionals to solve challenges vital to national security.
Gain experience giving technical briefings and presentations.
Have access to internal funding opportunities to craft the direction of future research.