Research Engineer

Galois, Inc.; Oregon, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

401(k) match

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

HSA

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

Galois, Inc. is hiring a Software Engineer/Researcher to advance programming language theory through formal methods and verification. The role emphasizes rigorous analysis and proving properties of software and systems to meet high security standards.

The position requires collaboration with clients, architecture design, and development of prototype-to-product solutions, with a hybrid work arrangement across multiple offices in the US.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent required.
• MS or PhD in CS or related field desirable but optional.
• Programming languages background with formal methods experience.
• Hands-on software development and formal verification experience.
• Familiarity with model checking, theorem proving, program analysis, and formal semantics.
• Proficiency with functional languages like Haskell and executable specifications.

Responsibilities

• Gather requirements by engaging clients to refine needs.
• Create high-level architectures and design prototypes with formal methods in mind.
• Develop software from prototypes to finished products with robustness in mind.
• Apply formal verification techniques to demonstrate security and correctness.
• Build and run system, unit, and regression tests; perform semi-formal validation.
• Research and develop cutting-edge technology for integration into products.
• Develop internal tools and shared library code for projects.

Skills

Formal methods

Haskell

Program analysis

Theorem proving

Model checking

Software development

Client interaction

Education

Bachelor's in CS

MS/PhD desirable

Tools

SysML

AADL

VHDL

Chisel

Job description

About Galois

Who We Are:From building digital engineering tools that make space exploration safer to verifying cryptographic libraries that protect some of the world’s most valuable data, Galois develops technology to guarantee the trustworthiness of systems where failure is unacceptable.

We are a community of researchers, engineers, and operations people dedicated to creating trustworthiness in critical systems in every functional area of the organization. Our unique organizational structure enables us to adapt to the needs of the innovative projects we deliver.

What We Do:We believe trustworthy systems are built on a formal mathematical foundation. Our researchers apply formal analysis techniques to the design and verification of critical software systems, allowing us to model, analyze, and mathematically prove that a system behaves exactly as intended under all circumstances. With clients including NASA, DARPA, AWS, and the DoW, we leverage our cutting‑edge research to deliver high assurance solutions and tools that enhance security, reliability, and operational efficiency across sectors including aerospace & defense, healthcare, semiconductors, and fintech.

Research Engineers at Galois design and develop advanced technologies for safety‑and security‑critical systems, networks, and applications. Engineers work in small team settings and must successfully interact with clients, partners, and other employees in a highly cooperative, collaborative, and intellectually challenging environment.

Life at Galois:People are the foundation of Galois’s success. As an employee‑owned company, we care not only about the technologies we develop, but also the path we take to create them. Galois operates under a highly collaborative organizational model that encourages leadership and teamwork and respects the individuals.

For more on our culture and organizational structure, visit Life at Galois.

About This Role

Galois is hiring a Software Engineer/Researcher to join our team! This role will primarily focus on advancing the state of the art in programming language theory research and implementation. Researchers in this role will use their expertise in Formal Methods and Programming Languages to conduct rigorous formal verification of software and systems, ensuring they meet the highest security standards.

Responsibilities

As a Research Engineer, you will have the following responsibilities:

• Requirements gathering: engaging the client in a series of discussions, where each iteration refines the needs of the client, and leads to the suggestion of means to meet those needs.
• Architecture and design: constructing high‑level architectural descriptions of software systems, and constructing deeper program designs by fleshing out architecture prototypes. Architectures must be designed with assurance in mind, determining where and how formal methods are to be applied.
• Implementation: extending design prototypes through to a finished product, with care taken to ensure robustness and ease of use.
• Formal verification: use mechanical reasoning tools such as theorem provers and model checkers to demonstrate or analyze desired security and correctness properties of systems.
• Testing and validation: constructing and regularly conducting system, unit, and regression tests, and conducting semi‑formal validation and verification.
• Technology research and development: conducting speculative research and development of cutting‑edge technology, and incorporating that technology in product prototypes.
• Technical infrastructure development: developing (designing, implementing, and maintaining) tools to be used within Galois, and developing library code to be shared among projects.

Key Qualifications

• Education:
• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent is required.
• An MS or PhD in CS or a related field is desirable but optional.
• Required Technical Expertise:
• A programming languages background and experience with formal methods.
• Must have hands‑on experience developing software and applying formal verification techniques.
• Familiarity with diverse formal methods, such as model checking, theorem proving, program analysis, and formal semantics of programming languages, and demonstrated expertise in at least one such area.
• Experience in all aspects of software engineering practices.
• Fluent in using semi‑formal methods such as Haskell or other functional programming languages, including executable formal specifications.
• Required General Skills:
• Must work well with customers, including building rapport, identifying needs, and communicating with strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Must be highly motivated and able to self‑manage deadlines and quality goals.

• Preference will be given to candidates with one or more of the following technical expertise:
• Direct experience in developing high‑assurance systems and/or security products.
• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering tools, with expertise in SysML and AADL.
• Knowledge of hardware engineering languages and platforms such as VHDL, Chisel, Bluespec, SystemVerilog, and Verilog.

Security and Citizenship Requirement

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Location

We enjoy a hybrid work environment, and candidates may be based out of any of our offices in Arlington, VA, Dayton, OH, Minneapolis, MN, or Portland, OR. Additionally, being located in Boston, MA is also welcome.

Benefits

We offer a robust benefits package to provide for your and your family’s well‑being, including:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% employer match and immediate vesting
• Fully paid medical insurance plans and dental and vision reimbursement plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with generous employer contributions
• Mental health and wellbeing support through our employee assistance program
• 5 weeks of paid time off and 9 days of paid company holidays each year
• 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave (available for birth, adoption, and fostering)
• 1 week of fully paid “Blue Sky” innovation time each year to pursue your interests

For more information on our benefits, visit Careers at Galois.

Compensation

Compensation is based on the value of your results, not your value as an employee or person. The compensation process, individual salaries, and criteria for salary changes are transparent to the entire company.

For more information about our forward‑looking and transparent approach to pay, visit Compensation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Galois is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, age, religion, creed, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We encourage and respect different viewpoints and experiences as being essential to the process of innovation. We strive to acquire, grow, and maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace that applies principles and standards equitably while supporting the needs and accommodations of the individual employee.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and federal and state laws, it is the policy of Galois, Inc. to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the employment application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact [e-mail].