Associate AI Red Team Engineer: Offensive AI Security & Pentest

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI) invites applications for an AI Red Team Engineer on the AI Security team. You will engage in adversary emulation exercises and develop capabilities for national-security missions, going beyond traditional enterprise red teaming.

Your work spans offensive cyber and AI security across Windows and Linux, with hands-on scripting in Python, C, and BASH. Travel up to 25% may be required; a background check and clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in CS or a technical discipline with 3+ years of relevant work experience; or MS with 1+ year; PhD considered.
• Experience in penetration testing, red teaming, or exploit development.
• Hands-on experience with at least one command-and-control framework.
• Proficiency in Python, C, and BASH; willingness to learn PowerShell.
• Experience with reverse engineering tools (Ghidra, IDA Pro).
• Familiarity with TCP/IP and OSI layers; ability to explain network protocols.
• Experience securing Linux and Windows systems; exposure to mobile OS is a plus.
• Certifications such as OSCP, CPTS, FORGE/RIOT, eJPT, CBBH, BSCP, PNPT, GRTP, GPEN or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Red team real-world AI-enabled systems to support national security objectives.
• Develop new tactics and procedures for attacking AI-enabled systems and related software.
• Write tools in Python, PowerShell, C, and BASH to enable red team operations.
• Represent CERT technical portfolio and communicate with mission partners and internal collaborators.

Skills

Penetration testing

Red teaming

Exploit development

Python

PowerShell

C

BASH

Reverse engineering

Cobalt Strike

Sliver

Ghidra

IDa Pro

TCP/IP

Wireshark

Linux

Windows

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or relevant technical discipline

MS in Computer Science or relevant technical discipline

PhD in Computer Science or relevant technical discipline

Tools

Cobalt Strike

Sliver

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI) invites applications for an AI Red Team Engineer on the AI Security team. You will engage in adversary emulation exercises and develop capabilities for national-security missions, going beyond traditional enterprise red teaming.

Your work spans offensive cyber and AI security across Windows and Linux, with hands-on scripting in Python, C, and BASH. Travel up to 25% may be required; a background check and clearance are required.