2027 Graduate – Cybersecurity Engineer - Critical Infrastructure Protection

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); Sur place; USD 85 000 - 165 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD is seeking a Cybersecurity Engineer to advance technologies from lab prototypes into operational environments guarding critical infrastructure. You will work across OT/ICS environments, cyber-physical systems, and AI-enabled defense projects.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's or Master's in a technical field and experience with Python and Linux; applicants must be able to obtain Interim Secret and ultimately Top Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience with Python or other languages (C/C++, Java, Go, Rust) and familiarity with Linux environments, debugging, and version control.
• Foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles, including network security and vulnerability analysis.
• Understanding of networking concepts and exposure to embedded systems, virtualization, ICS, or related technologies.
• Experience solving technical problems through coursework, internships, research, or hands-on projects.
• Experience using AI-assisted tools for coding, debugging, or research, and ability to validate results.

Responsabilités

• Research, develop, and prototype technologies to improve security and resilience of critical infrastructure and cyber-physical systems.
• Collaborate with sponsors, operators, and stakeholders to define requirements and translate mission needs into solutions.
• Build and evaluate cybersecurity capabilities across software, networks, embedded devices, and ICS environments.
• Analyze and reverse engineer protocols, software, and hardware to identify vulnerabilities and hardening opportunities.
• Conduct cyber test and evaluation, vulnerability research, and experimental assessments in lab and real environments.
• Communicate technical approaches and results via documentation, briefings, and demonstrations.

Connaissances

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Security fundamentals

Formation

Bachelor's or Master's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, engineering or related field

Outils

Python

Go

C/C++

Linux

Git

Wireshark

Ghidra

Docker

Description du poste

Do you want to develop cybersecurity technologies that move from research prototypes into operational environments to help protect U.S. critical infrastructure?

If you are graduating with a degree in engineering, science, or a related quantitative field and want to work in critical infrastructure protection, we'd love to have you join our team!

APL's Critical Infrastructure Protection Group is seeking a Cybersecurity Engineer to help us develop, evaluate, and transition technologies that strengthen the security and resilience of critical infrastructure and cyber-physical systems.

Our multidisciplinary teams work directly with mission stakeholders to solve challenging cybersecurity problems across operational technology (OT), industrial control systems (ICS), cyber-physical systems, cyber situational awareness, resilient architectures, system assurance, machine learning, AI-enabled cyber defense and decision support, digital twins, and related areas. We also conduct software and hardware reverse engineering, vulnerability research, and develop proof-of-concept offensive cyber capabilities focused on critical infrastructure systems.

Our engineers work across the technology lifecycle, from understanding mission challenges and conducting research to building prototypes, evaluating them on representative systems, and transitioning successful capabilities into operationally relevant environments. Laboratory environments, including facilities such as the CYPRESS Laboratory, provide realistic testbeds for evaluating technologies against the constraints and threats they may encounter in the field.

As a member of our team, you will...

• Research, develop, and prototype technologies that improve the security, resilience, and assurance of critical infrastructure and cyber-physical systems, including technologies for autonomous cyber defense.
• Work directly with sponsors, operators, and other mission stakeholders to understand operational challenges, define technical requirements and success criteria, and translate mission needs into technical solutions.
• Build and evaluate cybersecurity capabilities spanning software, networks, embedded devices, industrial control systems, and representative cyber-physical environments.
• Analyze and reverse engineer control system protocols, software, hardware, and system architectures to identify vulnerabilities and opportunities for cyber hardening and improved resilience.
• Conduct cyber test and evaluation, adversary emulation, vulnerability research, protocol analysis, and experimental assessments using laboratory and representative operational environments.
• Develop and evaluate cyber situational awareness, decision support, resilient architecture, and AI-enabled capabilities, including the use of AI/ML for analysis and decision support where appropriate, and characterize their performance, uncertainty, limitations, and failure modes under realistic operating conditions.
• Evaluate commercial and emerging technologies, identify gaps affecting government and mission use cases, and adapt or extend technologies to address operational needs.
• Transition successful prototypes from laboratory demonstrations into operationally relevant environments and, when appropriate, fielded capabilities.
• Communicate technical approaches and results through documentation, briefings, demonstrations, and, when appropriate, publications and technical forums.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Have experience with Python or another programming language, such as C/C++, Java, Go, or Rust, and familiarity with Linux environments, debugging, and version control.
• Have foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles, including network security, vulnerability analysis, and offensive cyber concepts.
• Understand basic networking concepts and have exposure to areas such as embedded systems, virtualization, industrial control systems, or related technologies.
• Have experience solving technical problems through coursework, internships, research, or hands-on projects, including testing, troubleshooting, and evaluating solutions.
• Have experience using AI-assisted tools for coding, debugging, research, or other technical tasks, with an understanding of how to validate results and use these tools responsibly.
• Have strong communication, analytical, and teamwork skills, with an interest in collaborating across technical disciplines.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and ultimately obtain a Top Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information, including U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have hands-on experience with cybersecurity, embedded systems, industrial control systems, operational technology, or cyber-physical systems through coursework, internships, research, or personal projects.
• Have exposure to reverse engineering, vulnerability research, penetration testing, network protocol analysis, or cyber test and evaluation.
• Have experience with cybersecurity or development tools such as Wireshark, Ghidra, Docker, SIEM platforms, or similar technologies.
• Have familiarity with AI/ML, data analysis, modeling and simulation, or emerging technologies and their applications to cybersecurity.
• Have participated in technical research, independent projects, cybersecurity competitions, or collaborative engineering projects.
• Hold an active TS/SCI or higher-level U.S. Government security clearance.

About Us

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

Why Work at APL?

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually