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. The role leads multidisciplinary teams and initiatives, evaluates security through audits and vulnerability assessments, establishes risk-management and program-control processes, and ensures compliance with applicable regulations and organizational policy. The specialist develops and maintains risk-management frameworks, supports system accreditation and certification, researches and implements cybersecurity techniques and tools, advises leadership on emerging threats, and integrates security throughout system development and operations. The role also mentors junior professionals, represents MERC in technical exchanges and reviews, and oversees dedicated cybersecurity laboratories used for research, testing, training, and evaluation. Laboratory responsibilities include designing and maintaining representative environments, managing resources and personnel, safeguarding classified or sensitive data, and piloting new approaches 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, plus 9 years of relevant experience; or a master's degree in a listed or related field plus 14 years of relevant experience; or an undergraduate degree in a listed or related field plus 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+ certification.

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; 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 for vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and secure system validation.
Manage laboratory resources, schedules, and personnel for concurrent projects.
Ensure laboratory compliance with security standards and proper handling of classified or sensitive data.
Pilot new tools, techniques, and methodologies in the laboratory before enterprise-wide deployment.