Senior Principal Cybersecurity Specialist

Mercer University•Warner Robins, GA

9d•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-based information technology, platform-based information technology, and/or software development activities. The role provides senior technical oversight for mission-critical systems, leads multidisciplinary teams and initiatives, evaluates security risks, and establishes program controls to support regulatory compliance and risk mitigation. The specialist also develops new security techniques and capabilities and contributes to secure system and software design and improvement. The position oversees dedicated cybersecurity laboratories used for research, testing, training, and evaluation. It designs and maintains lab environments that replicate enterprise and platform IT systems; manages lab resources, schedules, and personnel; ensures security compliance and proper handling of classified or sensitive data; and pilots tools and methods before broader deployment. The role includes customer and business-development support: maintaining familiarity with MERC capabilities and customers, identifying and communicating potential business opportunities or customer problems, leading or supporting Technical Interchange Meetings, and promoting MERC capabilities when opportunities arise. The specialist also provides mentorship and leadership to junior employees and represents the organization in technical exchanges, audits, and compliance reviews.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
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 field from an ABET-accredited institution and 9 years of relevant experience; or a master's degree in one of these fields and 14 years of relevant experience; or an undergraduate degree in one of these 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.

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 support system 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 throughout system development and operations.
Provide expert guidance and mentorship to junior cybersecurity professionals.
Represent the organization in technical exchanges, audits, and compliance reviews.
Oversee the operation and security of dedicated cybersecurity laboratories 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 in support of concurrent projects.
Ensure lab compliance with DoD, federal, and organizational security standards, including appropriate handling of classified or sensitive data.
Pilot new tools, techniques, and methodologies in the lab before enterprise-wide deployment.
Maintain familiarity with MERC core capabilities and current and potential customers, and promote MERC capabilities and interests when opportunities arise.
Submit suggestions for new business opportunities or report customer problems and opportunities to the Director of Acquisition Strategy through a Chief Engineer.
Lead or support Technical Interchange Meetings with customers.
Remain alert during business-related activities, particularly customer contacts, for problems or opportunities that could lead to additional business for MERC core business areas.
Provide mentorship and leadership to more junior-level employees.