Secure Systems Research and Development Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 76,700 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Robust retirement plans

Substantial paid time off

Job summary

Dormont Manufacturing Co is seeking a Secure Systems Research and Development Engineer for their Cyberspace Operations Research Department. This role involves researching and developing techniques for secure system design, managing projects, and mentoring junior engineers.

Located in Reston, VA, the position requires strong software engineering knowledge and an active government security clearance. The salary range is competitive, accompanied by robust employee benefits, including a tuition discount.

Qualifications

• 5+ years relevant experience for Advanced Professional role.
• 2+ years relevant experience for Intermediate Professional role.
• No prior experience required for Professional role.

Responsibilities

• Research techniques for secure system design and hardening.
• Leverage expertise in software engineering and cybersecurity.
• Assist in maintaining relationships with sponsors.
• Provide process enhancements for technical controls.
• Apply project management principles.
• Guide lower-level R&D engineers.

Skills

Software engineering principles

Embedded or cloud system development

Computer networking fundamentals

Software programming (C, Java, Python)

Cybersecurity testing tools

Clear communication for decision making

Active government security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree - Engineering or Science

Tools

Ansible

Atlassian products (JIRA, Confluence)

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

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)

Your work location will be project‑dependent, 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.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - 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 - 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 - Professional, this position requires: Bachelor’s Degree - Engineering or Science No prior relevant work experience required Required Certifications: None

Background checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre‑employment drug screen.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $76,700.00 - $164,000.00. THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL

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.

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.