2027 Internship - Cybersecurity Engineer/Mathematician - Constrained Cyber Solutions

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

22d•Onsite

About The Position

This internship focuses on improving the cybersecurity and resilience of critical systems and missions. Interns will engage in research and development to strengthen cyber missions and support state-of-the-art tactical capability development. The role involves solving complex technical challenges at the intersection of software, hardware, mathematics, and cyber operations. The team collaborates with industry, academia, and government to study, design, develop, implement, and test cyber capabilities for various platforms and systems. The culture values creativity, collaboration, open exchange of ideas, and learning through experimentation.

Requirements

Pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, Mathematics, or a related field.
Experience with or knowledge of at least one of the following: Python, Rust, VHDL, Verilog, C, C++, Java, MATLAB, or another commonly used programming language.
Educational background, coursework, research, project experience, or demonstrated interest in at least one of the following areas: Advanced Cryptography (Encryption algorithms and techniques, applied mathematics, algorithm development, homomorphic encryption, quantum cryptography, or related cryptographic approaches), Embedded Solutions (VHDL or Verilog; serial bus protocols such as 1553 data bus architecture or CAN bus; FPGA and embedded devices; Vivado and RTL design; or embedded software development in C, C++, or Rust), Offensive Security (Dependency modeling, red teaming, network emulation or virtualization, vulnerability assessment, or reverse engineering and protocol analysis using tools such as Nmap, Ghidra, or Wireshark), or Constrained Cyber Integration, Test, Evaluation, and Deployment (Network or physical testbeds, virtualized ranges, automated test workflows, or evaluation environments used to assess cyber capabilities).
A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Ability to obtain an Interim Secret-level security clearance by your start date and ultimately obtain a Top Secret-level clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Relevant cybersecurity experience through internships, professional roles, coursework, research, personal projects, or similar work.
Demonstrated ability to learn about and analyze complex systems from both defender and attacker perspectives.
Experience with a range of computing environments and technologies, such as: Linux or Unix operating systems, software application development, hardware programming, computer networking concepts such as TCP/IP, sockets, packet capture, protocol analysis, routing, switching, or virtual networks, cybersecurity tools used for network analysis, protocol analysis, firmware analysis, or embedded-system security.
Offensive or defensive cyber experience through university cybersecurity competitions, Capture the Flag events, hackathons, cyber clubs, or similar activities.
Hold an active security clearance.

Responsibilities

Contribute to research and development in Advanced Cryptography, including researching and prototyping cryptographic algorithms and techniques for mission-relevant cyber and anti-tamper applications.
Contribute to research and development in Embedded Solutions, applying hardware and software engineering to constrained-system cybersecurity challenges, including low-level software, firmware, FPGA logic, embedded devices, constrained protocols, and low-SWaP capabilities.
Contribute to research and development in Offensive Security, analyzing hardware and software systems for potential cyber vulnerabilities and assessing their mission impact.
Contribute to research and development in Constrained Cyber Integration, Test, Evaluation, and Deployment, designing network and physical testbeds, virtualized ranges, automated test workflows, and evaluation environments to rapidly integrate, test, validate, and support the deployment of cyber capabilities in constrained mission environments.
Research capability gaps in current platforms and prototype solutions as part of a multidisciplinary team spanning systems engineering, software, hardware, physics, mathematics, and networking.
Work alongside highly skilled cyber and engineering professionals to solve challenges vital to national security.
Gain experience communicating technical work through briefings and presentations.