Senior Principal Cybersecurity Specialist

Mercer University•Warner Robins, GA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), a research institute of Mercer University, provides engineering, scientific, and technical support to government and private industry customers. The Senior Principal Cybersecurity Specialist leads cybersecurity operations for enterprise IT, platform IT, and software development activities, providing senior-level technical oversight to protect mission-critical systems and support organizational and mission objectives. The role conducts security evaluations, compliance audits, and vulnerability assessments; establishes program controls and risk-management frameworks; and helps ensure systems meet applicable accreditation, certification, and regulatory requirements. The specialist researches and implements cybersecurity techniques and capabilities, advises leadership on threats and defensive practices, and contributes to the design and ongoing improvement of secure systems and software. The position partners with program managers, engineers, and external stakeholders, mentors junior professionals, and represents the organization in technical exchanges, audits, and compliance reviews. The specialist also oversees dedicated cybersecurity laboratories for research, testing, training, and evaluation. Responsibilities include designing and maintaining lab environments that replicate enterprise and platform IT systems, managing resources, schedules, and personnel across concurrent projects, ensuring compliance with security standards and appropriate handling of classified or sensitive data, and piloting new tools and methodologies before broader deployment.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
A Ph.D. in Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Forensics, Information Assurance, Information Technology, or another related information-security-focused degree from an ABET-accredited institution and 9 years of relevant experience; or a master's degree in the same fields and 14 years of relevant experience; or an undergraduate degree in the same fields and 15 years of relevant experience.
Nine years of experience leading or organizing cybersecurity projects and/or personnel at any level.
Expertise in three of the following areas, proficiency in one area, and varying levels of knowledge in the remaining areas: software security, system administration, security testing, information assurance, design, implementation, validation, and compliance.
CompTIA Security+ C certification.
Application must include a cover letter and resume.

Responsibilities

Direct and conduct cybersecurity operations for enterprise IT, platform IT, and software development programs.
Provide senior-level technical oversight to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of mission-critical systems.
Lead multidisciplinary cybersecurity teams, projects, and initiatives.
Perform compliance audits, vulnerability assessments, and security evaluations to identify and mitigate risks.
Establish and enforce program control processes to support compliance with DoD, federal, state, and local regulations and MERC policy.
Develop and maintain risk-management frameworks and ensure systems meet accreditation and certification standards.
Research, develop, and implement cybersecurity techniques, tools, and capabilities.
Advise leadership on emerging threats, evolving technologies, and proactive defense practices.
Contribute to the design, validation, and continuous improvement of secure systems and software.
Partner with program managers, engineers, and external stakeholders to integrate cybersecurity into system development and operations.
Provide expert guidance and mentorship to junior cybersecurity professionals.
Represent the organization in technical exchanges, audits, and compliance reviews.
Oversee cybersecurity laboratories used for research, testing, training, and evaluation.
Design and maintain lab environments that replicate enterprise and platform IT systems for vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and secure system validation.
Manage lab resources, schedules, and personnel supporting concurrent projects.
Ensure lab compliance with DoD, federal, and organizational security standards, including proper handling of classified or sensitive data.
Pilot new tools, techniques, and methodologies in the lab before enterprise-wide deployment.