Senior Cybersecurity Engineer – Sensing and Communication Systems (REQ 341)

Applied Physical Sciences Corp (APS); Stonington (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits

On-site in CT

Job summary

Applied Physical Sciences Corp (APS) seeks a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer for the Sensing and Communication Systems Division. The candidate will design secure embedded software for underwater and autonomous maritime platforms, emphasizing resilience and mission assurance.

A BS/MS/PhD in CS/EE is preferred with 5+ years in embedded systems and C/C++ development under Linux. The role involves secure boot, cryptographic services, and RMF/NIST-aligned practices, with opportunities to work on FP...

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Computer/Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years embedded software in C/C++ under Linux and secure software practices.
• Experience with cybersecurity requirements for embedded defense systems.
• Familiarity with RMF, NIST guidance, DoD cybersecurity policies, or system accreditation.
• Knowledge of secure boot, trusted execution, crypto, and hardware security concepts.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop embedded computing architectures and secure data processing for maritime systems (40%).
• Implement and validate cybersecurity features: secure communications, system hardening, trusted software on embedded platforms (25%).
• Laboratory integration, debugging, field testing aboard maritime platforms and autonomous vehicles (20%).
• Technical leadership, customer interaction, proposals, and mentoring junior engineers (15%).

Skills

C/C++

Embedded software

Linux development

Secure software development

RMF/NIST/DoD policies

Hardware security

SoC/SoM/FPGA

VHDL/Vivado

Troubleshooting hardware/software

Technical communication

Education

B.S./M.S./Ph.D. in CS/EE or related

Tools

Vivado

GIT

Wireshark

GDB

Job description

Applied Physical Sciences (APS) is seeking a highly motivated Senior Cybersecurity Engineer to join our Sensing and Communication Systems Division. Successful candidates will possess a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline, with experience in embedded systems, secure computing architectures, and software development. Professional experience of five years is desired but may not be required in all circumstances.

Successful applicants will support the design, development, and integration of cybersecurity solutions of next-generation underwater maritime systems including payloads for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), underwater sensing, tracking and communication arrays, acoustic communication transceivers, autonomous maritime platforms, and distributed sensing networks. This position offers the opportunity to develop secure embedded systems capable of operating in contested maritime environments where resiliency, cyber survivability, and mission assurance are critical design considerations. Candidates should have demonstrated experience designing embedded software architectures, implementing state machines and algorithms, and developing secure software for prototype R&D systems. Experience with FPGA-based systems, System-on-Chip/System-on-Module platforms, Digital Signal Processors, Microcontrollers, Linux-based embedded development, and C/C++ programming is highly desirable. Successful candidates will also contribute to the secure design of embedded platforms through implementation of cybersecurity best practices including secure boot, cryptographic services, trusted communications, vulnerability mitigation, hardware/software integration, and system hardening throughout the development lifecycle. APS works on exciting, technically challenging, cutting-edge technologies that expose engineers to multidisciplinary research while providing unique opportunities for innovation and professional growth. At APS you will work in a collaborative small-company environment where technical excellence is rewarded, entrepreneurial thinking is encouraged, and engineers work directly with customers developing next-generation defense technologies.

Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Design and develop embedded computing architectures, software, and secure data processing infrastructure for advanced maritime sensing and autonomous systems (40%)
• Design, implement, integrate, and validate cybersecurity features including cryptographic services, secure communications, system hardening, and trusted software architectures for embedded platforms (25%)
• Laboratory integration, hardware/software debugging, system verification, and participation in field testing aboard maritime platforms and autonomous vehicles (20%)
• Technical leadership, customer interaction, proposal support, and mentoring junior engineers (15%)

Required Skills And Attributes

• B.S. degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, M.S. degree with 3+ years’ experience, or Ph.D. degree with no prior experience with a concentration in computer science and/or cybersecurity engineering
• 5+ years developing embedded software using C/C++ in Linux environments
• Experience implementing cybersecurity requirements for embedded defense systems
• Familiarity with the Risk Management Framework (RMF), NIST guidance, DoD cybersecurity policies, or system accreditation processes
• Experience with anti-tamper technologies, cryptographic integration, COMSEC equipment, secure key management, or trusted computing architectures
• Experience with secure boot, hardware root of trust, trusted execution environments, or secure firmware development
• Experience performing vulnerability assessments, security testing, or system hardening for embedded platforms
• Experience with embedded processors, System-on-Chip (SoC), System-on-Module (SoM), Digital Signal Processors, or Microcontrollers
• Experience designing software architectures for embedded or real-time systems
• Familiarity with FPGA development workflows and digital hardware integration
• Understanding of secure software development practices and embedded cybersecurity principles
• Experience with Linux development environments, version control systems, and software debugging tools
• Knowledge of embedded communication interfaces including SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, RS-232/422/485, or similar protocols
• Experience integrating embedded hardware and software into larger systems
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware and software using common laboratory instrumentation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Skills And Attributes

• Experience supporting unmanned or autonomous maritime systems
• Experience with underwater acoustic communications, sonar systems, or underwater sensing technologies
• Experience with FPGA development including VHDL, Xilinx Vivado, AXI architecture, and custom IP development
• Experience with userspace driver development in Linux
• Experience integrating ADCs, DACs, timing circuitry, and high-speed digital interfaces including LVDS and LVPECL
• Familiarity with Python, Bash, Git, Wireshark, GDB, and automated test frameworks
• Experience working in classified laboratory environments and handling sensitive or classified information
• Experience supporting proposal development, customer demonstrations, or business development
• Experience working in multidisciplinary R&D environments developing prototype defense technologies

APS, a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Dynamics Corporation, offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and comfortable working conditions. Candidates must possess or be able to obtain a DoD security clearance. Please note, obtaining a security clearance is a condition of employment which typically requires US citizenship and a thorough background investigation. An immediate full-time position is open in the following locations: Pawcatuck, CT; Groton, CT

EOE: Vet/Disability