Cyberspace Operations Research and Development Engineer at Penn State University – Off Campus – Other

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not previously employed at the university) seeking employment at Penn State, please log in to Workday to complete the student application process. Do not apply here, but apply internally through Workday.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND JOB REQUIREMENTS:

We are seeking a self-motivated Cyberspace Operations Research and Development (R&D) Engineer to join our Offensive Security Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. The goal of ARL/Penn State is to develop innovative solutions to challenging national problems in support of the engineering and technology needs of the Navy, DoD, and Intel communities. The Offensive Security Department provides technical expertise in adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) in support of systems evaluation and provides security hardening support to various sponsors.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and invites all transitioning military personnel to apply.

You will:

• Contribute to the research and development of new concepts and technical approaches to solving cyberspace operations challenges.
• Provide process improvement for external risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and penetration testing projects.
• Support the design and custom engineering of security solutions based on the sponsor’s unique requirements.
• Leverage software development knowledge to implement tools that help you automate or perform computational and cyber-related tasks more effectively.
• Conducting experiments/tests in the laboratory/in the field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions based on research results and experiences of others conducting research in related technical areas; may include making measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data; may include planning/designing experiments or tests and supervising their execution
• Initiate or contribute to data/analyses/designs for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, papers or oral/written presentations
• Work collaboratively with other team members, engineers, and scientists to achieve organizational goals; provide innovative problem-solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities
• Initiate or contribute to business development activities (e.g. white papers, proposals, etc.)

This position will be filled at multiple levels, depending on the education and experience of the successful candidate. A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or scientific discipline plus two years of relevant experience is required. Additional experience and/or education is required for higher level positions.

Responsibilities of senior positions include:

• Manage projects of varying sizes and scopes, including technical elements, budget/schedule implications, and sponsor(s) communications
• Work under minimal supervision on varied and sometimes difficult assignments, consulting with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completing complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Explores and tries new approaches to solving difficult or novel problems.
• Guide department personnel in developing technical, project and business development skills

Required skills/areas of experience include:

• Cybersecurity penetration testing / cybersecurity Red Team testing / white hat hacking
• Networking, IT security, Windows and *NIX.
• Software programming, programming languages ​​and development environments (including at least C++, Java or Python)
• Ability to express technical information clearly and concisely in documents and presentations so that senior managers can properly understand and use the information in making decisions.
• Active Government Security Clearance
• Experience with DoD cyberspace operations
• Use of cybersecurity testing frameworks (e.g. Kali Linux, Cobalt Strike)
• Automation of cybersecurity testing workflows (e.g. using Ansible playbooks)
• Experience in vulnerability research and/or system exploitation development
• Using Agile Software Development Methodology and Tools
• Experience with Atlassian products (e.g. JIRA, Confluence)

Your work location may be a hybrid on-site/work from home location located in Reston, VA or Annapolis Junction, MD. This position requires periodic travel to remote locations to support testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.

ARL at Penn State is an integral part of one of the nation’s leading research universities and serves as a university center for excellence in defense sciences, systems and technologies, with a focus on naval missions and related areas.

You will be subject to a government security investigation and must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL requires successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening.

ARL is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion; we believe these are central to our success as a Department of Defense designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). We are at our best when we draw on the talents of all segments of society, and our greatest achievements are achieved when diverse perspectives are part of our workforce.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about ARL, please visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

**The suggested salary range may be affected by geographic differences.**

The salary range for this position, including all possible ranks, is:

$86,300.00 – $164,000.00

Salary Structure – Additional information about Penn State’s job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

In accordance with 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 contains crime statistics and institutional policies related to campus security, such as those related to alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, crime reporting, sexual assault, and other issues. The ASR is available for review here.

Employment at the University requires that you successfully complete a series of background checks in accordance with University policy.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and is committed to offering employment 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 a disability or handicap, please contact 814-865-1473.

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