Secure Systems Research and Development Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) in State College, PA invites applications for a Secure Systems Research and Development Engineer in the Cyberspace Operations Research Department. This role focuses on designing and hardening secure systems, leveraging software engineering, system administration, and cybersecurity.

You will support sponsors through on-site technical discussions, prepare materials, and guide lower‑level engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science required.
• 5+ years for Advanced Professional level (ARL) with relevant experience.
• 2+ years for Intermediate Professional level (ARL) with relevant experience.
• No prior work experience required for Professional level (ARL).

Responsibilities

• Research secure system design, implementation, and hardening.
• Leverage software engineering, system administration, and cybersecurity expertise.
• Assist department head in sponsor discussions, preparations, and communications.
• Provide process enhancements for technical controls, architecture, and security testing projects.
• Apply project management principles to lead tasks or projects.
• Mentor lower-level R&D engineers to foster growth.

Skills

Software engineering

System administration

Cybersecurity

C/Java/Python

Windows & UNIX admin

Clear communication

Government security clearance

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Tools

Ansible

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a self-motivated Secure Systems Research and Development Engineer to join our Cyberspace Operations Research Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The Cyberspace Operations Research Department provides technical expertise in adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to support system evaluation and provide security hardening support to various sponsors. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Research cutting edge techniques and technologies for secure system design, implementation, and hardening
• Leverage expertise in software engineering, system administration, and cybersecurity to address established needs and investigate solutions to emerging requirements
• Assist the Cyberspace Operations Research Department Head in maintaining relationships with sponsors through on-site technical discussions, preparation and presentation of technical materials, and project-related correspondence
• Provide process enhancement for technical controls implementation, architectural enhancements, and security test and evaluation projects
• Apply project management principles and methods to the leadership of tasks or projects
• Provide guidance to lower-level R&D Engineers to foster professional growth

Additional responsibilities for higher level position includes:

• Understand broad strategic objectives and contribute to them; nurture and maintain relationships with major customers/grantors of external research and development grant funding
• Identify grant/project follow-on work and persuade customers / grantors to fund; impact customer decisions and strategies
• Initiate new project concepts and seek funding; develop technical proposals, and make presentations to customers/grant sponsors
• Mentor department staff in the development technical, project, and business development skills

Your work location will be project-dependent ability for on-site/work from home, based out of Reston, VA (preferred), Annapolis Junction, MD, or State College, PA. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Documented application of software engineering or system engineering principles
• Embedded or cloud system development and secure configuration
• Computer networking fundamentals, Windows and *NIX operating system administration
• Software programming, programming languages, and development environments (to include at a minimum C, Java, and Python)
• Knowledge of cybersecurity testing / penetration testing tools and methodologies
• Ability to express technical information clearly and concisely in documents and presentations for senior leaders to successfully comprehend and leverage for decision making
• Active government security clearance at SECRET level

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

• AI to security testing, evaluation, and issue mitigation / remediation
• Microcontroller or single board computer design/implementation (i.e. Arduino, STM32, Raspberry Pi, etc), radio frequency signal analysis (i.e. oscilloscopes, SpecAns, SDRs, etc), or industrial control system communication protocol security
• Demonstrated history of successful project initiation efforts
• Automation of cybersecurity testing workflows (e.g. using Ansible playbooks)
• Agile software development methodology and tools
• Atlassian products (e.g., JIRA, Confluence)

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
• If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
• If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science No prior relevant work experience required Required Certifications: None

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $92,100.00 - $200,808.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

OUR CULTURE

There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.