Associate Solutions Engineer

Carnegie Mellon University; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Tuition benefits

Bus pass for regional transit

Paid time off & holidays

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s CERT Division of SEI seeks professionals to support security architectures and cybersecurity operations, leveraging AI/ML techniques and mission engineering. Responsibilities include developing architecture roadmaps, evaluating technology options, and guiding transition of tools into practice across DoW and federal government contexts.

The role requires travel up to 20% and the ability to obtain DoW clearance; CMU offers comprehensive benefits and a strong research

Qualifications

• BS or MS degree in computer science, engineering, or related field with applicable experience.
• Willingness to travel locally and to sponsor sites (approx. 20%).
• Background check and eligibility for DoW clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support in developing security architectures for cybersecurity operations.
• Support mission engineering, SoS architectures, requirements, engineering, analysis, and deployment guidance.
• Advance cybersecurity architectures and apply AI/ML to cyber operations.
• Develop and evaluate analytical techniques for cyber operations and document architectures and gaps.
• Support Zero Trust and cyber resilience initiatives and transition new technologies to operations.

Skills

Security architecture

Networking

Systems administration

Programming

Cloud

Technical presentation

Education

BS/MS degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

MBSE

Job description

Who We Are

You will work within the CERT Division of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Carnegie Mellon University’s SEI researches complex software engineering, cyber, and AI problems; creates and tests innovative technologies; and transitions mature solutions into practice for the Department of War (DoW) and federal government.

Who We Are

You will work within the CERT Division of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Carnegie Mellon University’s SEI researches complex software engineering, cyber, and AI problems; creates and tests innovative technologies; and transitions mature solutions into practice for the Department of War (DoW) and federal government.

What We Do

The CERT Situational Awareness helps organizations, particularly those within the DoW, federal government, and critical infrastructure sectors, develop and maintain awareness of their cyber hybrid environments (cloud, on-premises, mobile), identify risks, and make informed decisions concerning cybersecurity, cyber resiliency, and cyber survivability. The team applies cybersecurity, systems engineering, and operational analysis techniques to understand complex architectures and the relationships among systems, missions, workflows, data, and stakeholders.

Position Summary

As a member of the team, you will be responsible for:

• Providing technical support as a team member in the development of security architectures, particularly to support cybersecurity operations and cybersecurity systems.
• Supporting mission engineering, system of systems (SoS) architectures, systems requirements development, engineering, analysis, technology evaluation and deployment guidance.
• Advancing the state of the art in cybersecurity and cybersecurity architectures.
• Developing and evaluating advanced analytical techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), behavioral analytics, and data-driven approaches for cyber operations.
• Documenting current-state architectures, identifying capability and coverage gaps, evaluating technology integration strategies, recommending security solutions, and developing mission threads/workflows.
• Supporting organizations in planning, assessing, and implementing Zero Trust and cyber resilience strategies.
• Evaluating, piloting, and transitioning new technologies into operational environments.
• Contribute to diverse teams composed of colleagues, customers, and subject matter experts to deliver projects.

Requirements

• BS degree with three (3) years or MS with one (1) year or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Willingness to travel to various locations to support the SEI’s overall mission. This includes within the SEI and CMU community, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings on occasion. Moderate Travel (20%).
• You will be subject to a background check and must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to present technical topics to audiences from senior leadership to technical experts.
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders to promote practical solutions to tough security problems.
• Strong understanding of networking, security, systems administration, programming, and/or cloud.
• Ability to work at the SoS architecture level to identify and understand tradeoffs of various approaches.
• Strong research and writing skills.

Desired Experience

• Degree in Computer Science & Engineering or Systems Engineering with two (2) years of experience in cybersecurity/network operations, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), or workflow/process analysis; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Enterprise/system-of-systems/system/security architecture
• Security operations
• Security research
• Programming or software engineering
• Networking
• Testing

Job Function Breakdown

75% Support to government program offices in the areas of strategy; process/policies; requirements elicitation; design and architecture; operations; outreach; and training.

15% Enable the transition and appropriate focus of situational awareness analysis and engineering approaches and tools into operational environments.

10% Design, prototype, and transition tactical analysis studies and tools appropriate for operational use in situational awareness.

100% total effort

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Location

Arlington, VA, Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Software/Applications Development/Engineering

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.