Principal Engineer – Industrial Cybersecurity

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

1d•$103,000 - $134,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Engineer designs, develops, leads, and executes large-scale industrial cybersecurity research and development efforts for the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME). The role works with industry partners to scope complex projects and develop statements of work, and manages technical projects independently against milestones, deliverables, cost, and schedule. The position plans and adapts virtual cybersecurity curriculum focused on manufacturing, operational technology (OT), CMMC readiness, and trustworthy artificial intelligence. It establishes program-delivery standards, oversees staff-created materials for accuracy and relevance, administers learning platforms and participant data systems, tracks performance indicators, and improves participant engagement and completion. The role also manages customer engagement and the sales process, leads proposals and technical reports, and provides intensive cybersecurity assistance to customers, including structured intake, OT threat-surface reviews, prioritized findings, 90-day action plans, and qualified referrals. The Principal Engineer collaborates with OSU faculty, CDME staff, and students on multidisciplinary engineering work; provides technical guidance to less experienced staff; and delivers engineering solutions using personal expertise, advanced manufacturing equipment, and software. The role leads the development and maintenance of facilitator guides, implementation resources, assessment instruments, technical-assistance protocols, adaptable state and sector modules, and national replication packages. It supports business development by researching funding opportunities, visiting customer facilities, and presenting research results at conferences and symposia. The position also supervises student employees, supports CDME professional development and student program activities, and is responsible for securing sufficient funding to support the position and any direct reports. Special projects and other duties may be assigned. The position requires access to export-controlled data and work in an export-controlled facility. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. persons as defined by U.S. export-control regulations. The target hiring range is $103,000–$134,500; actual salary may vary based on education, experience, internal equity, and other factors. The role is based at Bevis Hall, is regular, and is scheduled for 40 hours on first shift. Final candidates must successfully complete a background check; a drug screen or physical may be required after an offer.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or a related field.
At least 6 years of relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Progressively responsible work in industrial cybersecurity, operational technology, manufacturing information systems, applied research, or technical program delivery.
Demonstrated experience leading complex multidisciplinary projects.
Experience developing proposals, statements of work, and technical reports.
Experience engaging industry or government sponsors.
Experience managing technical work to defined milestones, deliverables, budgets, and schedules.
Expertise in one or more of the following: industrial control systems, PLC or SCADA environments, connected manufacturing equipment, OT network architecture, cyber-physical systems, CMMC readiness, NIST SP 800-171, NIST SP 800-82, incident response, disaster recovery, or continuity of operations.
Eligibility as a U.S. person under U.S. export-control regulations, due to required access to export-controlled data and facilities.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or a related field.
Experience with industrial equipment.
Experience in a supervisory capacity over direct reports or processes.
Extensive hands-on experience in industrial cybersecurity, OT environments, or manufacturing information systems, including industrial control systems, programmable logic controllers, SCADA networks, or connected manufacturing equipment.
Current or prior security clearance, or experience supporting defense or other regulated programs.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, lead, and execute large-scale industrial cybersecurity research and development efforts.
Work with industry partners to scope complex projects and develop detailed statements of work.
Plan, develop, and adapt virtual cybersecurity curriculum focused on manufacturing, OT, CMMC readiness, and trustworthy AI.
Establish technical standards for program delivery and oversee staff-created webinars, workshops, and event materials for accuracy and relevance.
Administer learning platforms and participant data systems; set program goals, track key performance indicators, and improve engagement and completion.
Engage customers and support staff and independently manage and execute the sales process.
Serve as lead writer on large-scale proposals and technical reports for sponsoring agencies.
Collaborate with OSU faculty, CDME staff, and students on multidisciplinary engineering tasks.
Provide guidance and leadership to less experienced staff in areas of expertise.
Perform technical engineering work using personal expertise, advanced manufacturing equipment, and software to develop innovative solutions.
Provide intensive cybersecurity assistance, including structured intake, OT threat-surface review, prioritized findings, 90-day action plans, and qualified referrals.
Manage projects independently and ensure completion according to milestones, deliverables, cost, and schedule.
Lead development and maintenance of facilitator guides, implementation resources, assessment instruments, technical-assistance protocols, adaptable state and sector modules, and national replication packages.
Research funding opportunities, travel to customer facilities for project meetings, and present research results at conferences and symposia.
Establish priorities and supervise student employees, including providing developmental opportunities, coaching, and evaluating performance.
Support CDME professional development and student program activities in the area of expertise.
Bring in sufficient funding to support the position and any direct reports.
Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.