AI Security Researcher: Advanced AI Vulnerability & Defense

Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% retirement match

Tuition benefits

Relocation assistance

Flexible work

PD opportunities

Job summary

Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, seeks an AI Security Researcher to advance AI robustness and security research across academia, industry, and national security. You will co‑author proposals, execute studies, and present findings to DoW sponsors and conference audiences.

This role combines AI/ML and cybersecurity with high impact work, requiring senior experience and a commitment to cross‑training and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in relevant fields with experience expectations as stated; strong AI/cybersecurity background.
• Experience applying cybersecurity knowledge to vulnerability research, analysis, disclosure, or mitigation.
• Experience advising on security topics based on research and expert opinion.
• Familiarity with applying AI/ML techniques to practical problems.
• Familiarity with AI/ML software packages (Numpy, PyTorch, TensorFlow, ART).
• Knowledge of reverse engineering tools (NSA Ghidra, IDA Pro).
• Experience with Python, C/C++ or low-level programming.
• Experience developing frameworks or methodologies to evaluate technology effectiveness and robustness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to explain complex topics to non-experts.
• Mentoring and cross-training others within the community.

Responsibilities

• Develop state of the art approaches for analyzing robustness of AI systems.
• Apply these approaches to understanding vulnerabilities in AI systems and how attackers adapt their tradecraft to exploit those vulnerabilities.
• Reverse engineer malicious code to support high-impact customers, design and develop new analysis methods and tools, address emerging AI threats.
• Study and influence the AI security and vulnerability disclosure ecosystems.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of tools and processes developed by industry and the AI security research community.
• Uncover and shape fundamental assumptions underlying AI security best practices.
• Develop thought models, tools and data sets to characterize AI threats and publish results.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI to improve existing cybersecurity research.

Skills

AI/ML

Cybersecurity

Python/C/C++

Reverse engineering

Communication

Mentoring

Research proposal development

Education

BS in machine learning, cybersecurity, statistics

MS in machine learning, cybersecurity, statistics

PhD in machine learning, cybersecurity, statistics

Tools

N SQLite?

NSAGhidra

IDA Pro

Numpy

PyTorch

TensorFlow

ART

Job description

Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, seeks an AI Security Researcher to advance AI robustness and security research across academia, industry, and national security. You will co‑author proposals, execute studies, and present findings to DoW sponsors and conference audiences.

This role combines AI/ML and cybersecurity with high impact work, requiring senior experience and a commitment to cross‑training and knowledge sharing.