Senior AI Reverse Engineering Researcher

Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University; Linthicum (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% retirement contribution

Tuition benefits to CMU

Transit benefits (WMATA)

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s SEI in the Fort Meade area is seeking a Senior AI Reverse Engineer Researcher for the Threat Analysis directorate. The role focuses on applying AI/ML to code analysis and malware threat assessments, and developing new tools to counter evolving threats.

You will document results for reports and briefings, contribute to the broader security community, and pursue continuous improvement in threat analysis capabilities.

Qualifications

• BS in Data Science, Computer Science or related discipline with eight (10) years of experience; OR MS with five (8) years of experience; OR PhD with two (5) years of experience.
• Willingness to travel to sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active Department of War security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Apply AI/ML techniques to code analysis and reverse engineering challenges for threat assessment.
• Design and develop new analysis methods and tools to address emerging threats.
• Document and transition results in reports, presentations, and technical exchanges.
• Identify, document, and analyze emerging and complex active security threats.
• Participate in the broader security community through collaboration and papers.

Skills

AI/ML

Code analysis

Malware analysis

Data science

Threat modeling

Python

Java

Education

BS in Data Science or Computer Science

MS in Data Science or Computer Science

PhD in Data Science or Computer Science

Tools

LightGBM/XGBoost

CatBoost

PyTorch

JAX

TensorFlow

LangChain/LlamaIndex/Haystack

IDA Pro

Ghidra

Job description

This position is based onsite at an SEI customer location in the Fort Meade area.

About the role

The SEI helps advance software engineering principles and practices and serves as a national resource in software engineering, computer security, and process improvement. The SEI works closely with defense and government organizations, industry, and academia to continually improve software-intensive systems. Our core purpose is to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities and develop or acquire the right software, defect free, within budget and on time, every time. The CERT Division of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is seeking an applicant for the role of a Senior AI Reverse Engineer Researcher for the Threat Analysis directorate. The SEI is a federally funded research and development center at Carnegie Mellon University.

What you’ll do

• Apply artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to code analysis and reverse engineering challenges to support technical and threat-based assessment, such as malware detection/classification

• Design and develop new analysis methods and tools, work to identify and address emerging and complex threats, and effectively participate in the broader security community

• Document and transition results in reports, presentations, and technical exchanges

• Identify, document, and analyze emerging and complex active security threats

• Participate in the broader security community through collaboration, papers, and presentations

Who you are

• You enjoy working on emerging and complex data science problems, especially those that relate to reverse engineering and malware analysis

• You have an analytical mindset and deep curiosity about data science and how software works

• You have the ability to balance rapid prototyping with maintainable tool development

• You have strong technical writing experience

• You recognize and deal appropriately with confidential and sensitive information

• You are able to handle continual shifting priorities

• You enjoy mentoring and training others as well as sharing knowledge

• You communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences

• You have BS in Data Science, Computer Science or related discipline with eight (10) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with five (8) years of experience; OR PhD in the same fields with two (5) years of experience

• You have a willingness to travel to various locations to support the SEI’s overall mission This includes sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings on occasion.

• You will be subject to a background check and obtain and maintain an active Department of War security clearance

You have experience with or knowledge of

• Predictive modeling, data science, and/or AI & machine learning

• Deep understanding of statistical modeling techniques and advanced data analytics

• Innovative and inquisitive with ability to imagine novel analytical solutions to code analysis challenges

• Thrives in a multi-disciplinary environment

• Experience with Modern ML frameworks: LightGBM/XGBoost, CatBoost, PyTorch,JAX, TensorFlow)

• LLMs / agentic workflows (i.e. LangChain/LlamaIndex/Haystack)

• Experience deploying models (i.e. FastAPI, Triton, KServe, SageMaker, Vertex AI, or similar)

• Experience with disassemblers, decompilers, and debuggers (e.g. IDA Pro, NSA Ghidra)

• Experience with high-level programming languages (e.g. Java, Python, GoLang, etc.)

• Software engineering and design concepts

• Familiarity with malware tradecraft and threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)

Why work here?

• Join a world-class organization that has significant impact on software

• Work with cutting edge technologies and experts to solve tough problems for the government and the nation

• Get 8% monthly contribution for your retirement, without having to contribute yourself

• Get tuition benefits to CMU and other institutions for you and your dependent children

• Get access to university resources including mindfulness programs, childcare and back-up care benefits, a monthly transit benefit on WMATA, free transportation on the Pittsburgh Regional Transit System

• Enjoy annual professional development opportunities; attend conferences and training or obtain a certification and get reimbursed for membership in professional societies

• Qualify for relocation assistance and so much more

Location

Linthicum

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.

• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

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