AI Red Team Engineer — Offensive AI Security

Carnegie Mellon University; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Health insurance

Transit/bus pass

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University in Arlington, VA, seeks an AI Red Team Engineer to emulate adversaries and advance offensive capabilities for national security. You will work across domains, combining offensive cyber and AI security expertise, often traveling to engage with partners and field sites.

Expect to collaborate across teams, plan red team TTPs, and deliver findings while maintaining strong Windows/Linux proficiency, network fundamentals, and hands-on pentesting experience.

Qualifications

• BS in computer science, software engineering, networking, information systems, or a related technical field with eight (8) years of experience; MS in computer science or technical/engineering field with five (5) years of experience; PhD with two (2) years of experience or equivalent.
• You have previous penetration testing, red teaming, or exploit development experience.
• You have previous hands-on experience with at least one command and control framework (e.g., Cobalt Strike, Sliver).
• You have experience programming/scripting in Python, C, and BASH (without AI) and are willing to learn PowerShell.
• You have experience with reverse engineering tools (e.g., NSA Ghidra, IDA Pro).
• You are familiar with TCP/IP and OSI; you can explain common network protocols using Wireshark.

Responsibilities

• Red team real-world AI-enabled systems (model and hardware/software) for national security objectives.
• Develop new tactics, techniques, and procedures for attacking AI-enabled systems.
• Write tools in Python, PowerShell, C, and BASH to enable red team operations.
• Represent CERT portfolio and communicate with external mission partners and internal teams.

Skills

Penetration testing

Red teaming

Exploit development

Python scripting

Education

BS/MS/PhD in CS/Engineering or related with relevant experience

Two+ years of experience or equivalent in technical field (as described)

Multiple certifications (e.g., OSCP, CPTS, etc.)

Tools

Cobalt Strike

Sliver

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Wireshark

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University in Arlington, VA, seeks an AI Red Team Engineer to emulate adversaries and advance offensive capabilities for national security. You will work across domains, combining offensive cyber and AI security expertise, often traveling to engage with partners and field sites.

Expect to collaborate across teams, plan red team TTPs, and deliver findings while maintaining strong Windows/Linux proficiency, network fundamentals, and hands-on pentesting experience.