Senior Security Researcher

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

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh seeks a senior software engineer for national security research, focusing on applied topics across forensics, incident response, and academic study. You will contribute to prototype implementations and rigorous analysis within a motivated, experienced team.

Ideal candidates have deep systems knowledge, strong UNIX/Linux skills, and expertise in network protocols. Travel to sites and conferences is expected; DoD clearance may be required.

Qualifications

• BS degree with ten (10) years of relevant experience; MS with eight (8); PhD with five (5).
• Willingness to travel to customer sites and conferences (10%).
• Background investigation and ability to obtain DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop concise, rigorous prototype implementations and demonstrations.
• Analyze network traffic, exploits, and software implementations for insecure patterns.
• Communicate findings clearly in discussions, presentations, and formal reports.

Skills

Internet protocols

Systems programming

UNIX/Linux

Vulnerabilities & mitigations

RF & SDR technologies

Education

BS in CS or related quantitative discipline

MS in CS or related field

PhD in CS or related field

Job description

Join a dynamic team of motivated individuals with deep collectiveexperience throughout digital forensics, incident response,investigation, operations, and academic research. We seek individuals with strong interest in understanding andresolving technical challenges in the national security space.

Our group focuses on applied research into the functionality of emerging and already ubiquitous technologies at all constituentlogical layers, from component-level aspects through system andsoftware implementation to communication protocols. Concurrent withachieving this understanding, we examine the variation between expected and actual functionality that results from real-worldimplementation. Finally, in support of stakeholders throughout the USGovernment, we reason about and advise on the implications of ourfindings.

Qualified individuals will have a strong aptitude to reformulate open questions; devise creative solutions; deliver concise, rigorous prototype implementations; and clearly articulate this process indiscussions, presentations, and formalreports. Recent examples of our work have included novel approaches to analyzing network traffic,exploit development, and software implementation of novel file and format extraction techniques.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep technical knowledge of and experience with fundamental Internet protocols and functionality
• Systems-level programming experience
• Strong experience with UNIX/Linux
• Familiarity with current hardware and software vulnerabilities and mitigations
• Experience with RF and SDR technologies
  

Requirements:

• BS degree in Computer Science or related quantitative discipline, with ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, or MS in the same with eight (8) years of relevant professional experience, or PhD in the same with five (5) years of relevant professional experience.
• Willingness to occasionally travel to customer sites, conferences, and offsite meetings (10%)
• You will be subject to a background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance
  

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

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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