Principal Scientist

Galois, Inc. • Portland, OR

18h • Hybrid

About The Position

Principal Scientists drive a research agenda and develop R&D opportunities at the intersection of Formal Methods and one or more of our four Research Areas:

Rigorous Digital Engineering
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Science
Software & Systems Analysis
Advanced Cryptography and Privacy
In this role, you will lead externally-funded research programs, engage directly with government and industry clients, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate your research into deployable solutions that solve real-world challenges. You’ll publish and present your findings, mentor junior staff, and help set the national and global agenda for trustworthy systems.

Requirements

• Formal Methods Experience: Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, with a track record of high-quality research (publications, patents, or open-source tools) in formal verification, theorem proving, static analysis, or related areas.
• Domain Mastery: Demonstrated expertise in at least one of our four research areas with evidence of applied projects or publications.
• Funding & Program Leadership: Proven success securing external research grants or contracts, and managing projects from proposal to delivery.
• Client Engagement & Communication: Exceptional technical writing and presentation skills; experience translating research outcomes into clear, compelling solutions for government or industry partners.
• Collaborative Mentorship: A passion for coaching and inspiring technical teams, fostering a culture of creativity, curiosity, innovation, and ownership.
• Must be willing to undergo a security investigation and will need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information (Active clearance strongly preferred)
• Must not require a U.S. government export license to authorize access to export-controlled technology and software required to perform this role.

Responsibilities

• Program Development: Develop and lead an externally funded research program involving frequent client and government agency interactions.
• Technical Leadership: Define research roadmaps that integrate formal methods with your domain expertise.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Build partnerships across Galois, academia, government, and industry to advance active research and development programs.
• Thought Leadership: Publish and speak on your work, establishing a reputation for thought leadership in your domain of expertise.
• Mentorship: Guide junior engineers and cultivate an inclusive environment where diverse ideas flourish.

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% employer match and immediate vesting
• Fully paid medical insurance plans and dental and vision reimbursement plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with generous employer contributions
• Mental health and wellbeing support through our employee assistance program
• 5 weeks of paid time off and 9 days of paid company holidays each year
• 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave (available for new parents for birth, adoption, and fostering)
• 1 week of fully paid “Blue Sky” innovation time each year to pursue your interests

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree