Cybersecurity Researcher / Engineer: Secure Systems

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

2d•$145,200 - $220,000

About The Position

The Secure Resilient Systems and Technology group advances cybersecurity research to address critical national security challenges. We develop and evaluate technologies that enable mission systems, from space and autonomous platforms to tactical communications and secure computing, to withstand cyberattack and continue the mission. Our goal is not simply to identify vulnerabilities, but to design security in from the start and provide rigorous evidence that these systems can be trusted under attack. Our research spans secure software and embedded systems, security architecture and threat modeling, applied cryptography, formal methods, and security evaluation. It increasingly includes the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, both using AI to advance cybersecurity and securing AI-enabled mission systems. We work across the R&D lifecycle, from new concepts through prototyping and transition to mission use, collaborating across Lincoln Laboratory and with government, industry, and academia. We maintain a strong focus on mission impact. As a result, our work spans multiple levels of sensitivity; whenever possible, we publish portions of our research and engage with the broader academic community. We are a collegial and mission-driven team working on difficult problems where security, resilience, assurance, performance, and operational realities all matter. We value technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and individual growth. Our culture emphasizes mentoring and developing researchers into PIs and technical leaders. We strive to bring out the best in our people and our systems, so that the Laboratory and the nation can count on them when it matters most. If you would like to pursue cutting-edge research and work on things that truly matter at a place that combines MIT's culture of academic excellence, exceptional resources, and strong work-life balance, apply here to learn more.

Requirements

A PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related computing or engineering field.
Alternatively, a Master's degree with at least five years of relevant professional or research experience.
Candidates whose prior degrees are in another technical field may qualify with substantial relevant professional or research experience demonstrating comparable technical preparation.
Demonstrated technical depth in one or more of the following: Systems security, particularly for embedded systems; Software security and program analysis; Secure-by-design systems and architectures; Applied cryptography and security protocols; Software testing, metrics, and evaluation; Applied formal methods and programming languages security; AI-enabled tools and techniques for cybersecurity.
A record of research or technical innovation, demonstrated through publications, patents, significant technical projects, prototypes, or comparable contributions that address complex problems with new approaches.
Demonstrated technical initiative and potential to lead research efforts, including the ability to identify important problems, formulate technical approaches, and influence the direction of collaborative work.
Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Nice To Haves

Secure software development, operating system internals, embedded systems security, and network protocols.
Systems engineering, security requirements analysis, and threat modeling.
Security evaluation and assurance, including adversarial testing, experimental methods, security measurement, and evidence supporting security and assurance claims.
Applied cryptography and protocols, including industry and government standards.
Static and dynamic software analysis and applied formal methods.
AI-enabled software analysis, vulnerability discovery, security testing, threat analysis, and cyber defense.
Security and evaluation of AI-enabled systems, including adversarial threats, robustness, and resilience.
Experience across the R&D lifecycle, from concept development and prototyping through evaluation and transition, particularly in national security, government, or defense-related environments.
Systems-level thinking and analysis, including identifying important national security problems, understanding mission and technical context, evaluating alternative approaches and tradeoffs, and translating technical vision into executable research plans.
Technical leadership and mentoring of researchers and engineers.
Development of new research concepts, proposals, or programs, including collaboration with government sponsors and other research partners.

Responsibilities

Advance the state of the art in cybersecurity by developing and evaluating new approaches to securing software, embedded systems, communications, and computing infrastructure against sophisticated cyber threats.
Shape research directions and lead technically challenging R&D efforts, from new concepts through prototyping, evaluation, and transition to mission use.
Pursue research at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, including applications of AI to cyber analysis and defense, as well as the security and evaluation of AI-enabled systems.
Publish and present research and collaborate with researchers across Lincoln Laboratory, government, industry, and academia.
Mentor researchers and engineers, identify important new problems, and contribute to the development of new research programs and sponsor relationships.