PhD: Formal Methods & Software Assurance Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Software Assurance/Formal Methods Developer to advance formal verification and software assurance for national security systems. You will collaborate with researchers to create and apply formal methods tools, tackle cyber security challenges, and contribute to results aimed at reducing software bugs and design flaws.

The role involves developing and testing new analysis capabilities across languages and platforms, presenting

Qualifications

• PhD in CS/CE/Applied Math or related field.
• Experience with formal methods, software assurance, or related areas.
• Familiarity with formal methods tools and techniques such as language safety properties, symbolic execution, abstract interpretation, model checking, automated and interactive theorem proving, programming language analysis and design, and static analysis.
• Ability to understand code in multiple programming languages and develop software to demonstrate new analysis capabilities.
• Interest in local limited travel and ability to obtain interim Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Solve problems to improve software assurance using static and dynamic analysis, language safety properties, symbolic execution, abstract interpretation, model checking, and automated and interactive theorem provers.
• Explore techniques to support zero-defect software and systems.
• Work on research teams to improve software assurance theory and practice.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to defend national security systems.
• Participate in research projects that apply formal methods to real-world problems, including formal verification of algorithms and analysis of cyber-physical systems.
• Develop algorithms and tools to test ideas for improving critical systems and reasoning under uncertainty.
• Analyze data and results to show benefits of formal methods in system development.
• Share knowledge through papers and presentations to technical staff and decision makers.
• Join an environment that promotes professional growth and work-life balance.
• Participate in community activities and company events.

Skills

Formal methods

Static analysis

Symbolic execution

Model checking

Theorem proving

Programming languages

Education

PhD in Computer Science / Computer Engineering / Applied Math

Tools

Coverity

Klocwork

Valgrind

libFuzzer

Java Pathfinder

KLEE

Angr

TLA+

SPIN

CVC5

MathSAT

Z3

ACL-2

Lean

Rocq

Job description

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Software Assurance/Formal Methods Developer to advance formal verification and software assurance for national security systems. You will collaborate with researchers to create and apply formal methods tools, tackle cyber security challenges, and contribute to results aimed at reducing software bugs and design flaws.

The role involves developing and testing new analysis capabilities across languages and platforms, presenting