AI Security Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Toffler Associates, Inc; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Toffler Associates, Inc. seeks an experienced cybersecurity professional with AI/ML security expertise to join our Federal/DoD-focused team in Bethesda, MD. The role emphasizes secure AI governance, data pipelines, and protecting large-scale analytics in government settings.

Candidates should have a strong track record in adversarial ML, secure data architectures, and formal program management experience. Onsite work in Bethesda with a TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, cybersecurity, or engineering fields within STEM is required.
• Master’s degree may substitute for 2 years of experience.
• Minimum 8+ years of work experience in a STEM field with cybersecurity focus.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

AI security

Cybersecurity

Python

Data governance

Security architecture

Adversarial ML

Project management

Education

BSc in physics/math/CS/cybersecurity/engineering

MS may substitute 2 years experience

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

LLM tooling

Cybersecurity tooling

Job description

Toffler Associates

At Toffler Associates, our consultant'sown the delivery of complex client work. You are accountable for the quality of the work, the health of the engagement, the performance of the team, and the strength of the client relationship.

All candidates will be required to work onsite in Bethesda, MD and require a TS//SCI with a CI Poly

How we expect you to show up

These behaviors are foundational to how we recruit, select, develop, and evaluate every practitioner at Toffler. Experience matters; how you use it matters more.

Team Before Self -

Put team success ahead of individual recognition. Share knowledge, relationships, credit, and opportunities freely. Ask for help, offer it freely, and make the people around you better. Make choices that strengthen the team.

Quiet Professional

- Lead through sound judgment, preparation, and performance. Earn credibility through the quality, not title, résumé, or personal visibility.

Humility

- Remain curious and teachable regardless of experience. Seek and apply feedback, recognize blind spots and missteps, and adapt with openness and self-awareness.

Reliability

- Consistently earn the trust of clients and teammates. Do what you say you will do. Communicate early, surface risks before they become problems, and make sure clients and teammates are never surprised.

Stewardship

- Take responsibility for leaving the client, team, and firm stronger than you found them. Build relationships, capacity, and knowledge that last beyond the engagement.

What you'll bring

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED TS/SCI Federal or DoD security clearance with a polygraph
• Bachelor's degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, cybersecurity, or relevant engineering fields (electrical, computer, systems, software)
• Master's degree may be used in lieu of 2 years of relevant work experience
• 8 or more years of work experience in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics field
• Experiences should include, but not be limited to:
  • Progressive experience in cybersecurity with significant demonstrated experience in AI/ML security, data science security, or a closely related field within a federal government or large enterprise environment
  • Expert‑level knowledge of AI/ML security principles, adversarial ML concepts, and AI‑specific threat vectors including model poisoning, adversarial attacks/evasion, model inversion, and data integrity threats
  • Understanding of secure data architectures and pipelines for large‑scale analytics/intelligence production
  • Familiarity with AI governance, data quality, and mission assurance in operational settings
  • Demonstrated familiarity with federal AI governance frameworks and requirements, including NIST AI RMF, Executive Order 13960, Executive Order 14110, and other AI memoranda and guidance
  • Experience with AI red teaming, adversarial robustness testing, or AI penetration testing methodologies
  • Experience creating program plans, work breakdown structures, and milestone schedules

What would be nice to have

• Master's degree or PhD in cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, or relevant engineering fields (electrical, computer, systems, software) with 8 or more years of work experience
• Prior experience serving as an AI security SME or advisor supporting a federal civilian agency
• Experience in the Intelligence Community (IC), including requirements, CONOPS, and transition
• Experience managing a multi‑disciplinary R&D or T&E team
• Experience as a Project Manager or Deputy Project Manager
• Experience using LLMs and agentic tools in your daily workflows
• Experience using Python, common deep learning frameworks, LLM software infrastructure, and cybersecurity tooling
• Ability to proactively manage multiple, concurrent tasks
• One or more of the following certifications: CISSP, CISM, CAISS, or equivalent senior‑level cybersecurity certification, supplemented by demonstrated AI/ML security expertise
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to develop succinct, comprehensive, and understandable documents using complex data from multiple sources
• Excellent slide development and PowerPoint skills, with the ability to visually communicate complex ideas at a high level for technically savvy but non‑expert audiences

Why Toffler

We are thinkers and doers.

For more than 30 years, Toffler Associates has helped leaders navigate consequential moments when the path forward is not obvious. Drawing from the legacy of Alvin and Heidi Toffler, we help clients see what is changing, understand what it means, and decide what to do about it.

Our work begins where the answer is not already known. We take on complex problems such as cross strategy, technology, organizations, operations, and people. We ask hard questions, challenge assumptions, bring different perspectives together, and work alongside our clients to turn ideas into action.

How we work matters. Toffler is collaborative, candid, and low-ego. We share what we know, remain open to being wrong, and take responsibility for the success of the whole team. We expect people to contribute beyond their individual role and to leave their clients, teammates, and the firm stronger because they were here.

We are looking for people who think deeply, act decisively, and make the people around them better. They are comfortable when the answer is not obvious, generous with what they know, and confident without needing recognition. Most importantly, they want to do meaningful work and leave something stronger behind.

Toffler Associates, Inc. complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.