2027 Graduate - Cybersecurity Engineer - Critical Infrastructure Protection

Do you want to develop cybersecurity technologies that move from research prototypes into operational environments to help protect U.S. critical infrastructure?

If you are graduating with a degree in engineering, science, or a related quantitative field and want to work in critical infrastructure protection, we'd love to have you join our team!

Our multidisciplinary teams work directly with mission stakeholders to solve challenging cybersecurity problems across operational technology (OT), industrial control systems (ICS), cyber-physical systems, cyber situational awareness, resilient architectures, system assurance, machine learning, AI-enabled cyber defense and decision support, digital twins, and related areas. We also conduct software and hardware reverse engineering, vulnerability research, and develop proof-of-concept offensive cyber capabilities focused on critical infrastructure systems.

Our engineers work across the technology lifecycle, from understanding mission challenges and conducting research to building prototypes, evaluating them on representative systems, and transitioning successful capabilities into operationally relevant environments. Laboratory environments, including facilities such as the CYPRESS Laboratory, provide realistic testbeds for evaluating technologies against the constraints and threats they may encounter in the field.

As a member of our team, you will...

• Research, develop, and prototype technologies that improve the security, resilience, and assurance of critical infrastructure and cyber-physical systems, including technologies for autonomous cyber defense.
• Work directly with sponsors, operators, and other mission stakeholders to understand operational challenges, define technical requirements and success criteria, and translate mission needs into technical solutions.
• Build and evaluate cybersecurity capabilities spanning software, networks, embedded devices, industrial control systems, and representative cyber-physical environments.
• Analyze and reverse engineer control system protocols, software, hardware, and system architectures to identify vulnerabilities and opportunities for cyber hardening and improved resilience.
• Conduct cyber test and evaluation, adversary emulation, vulnerability research, protocol analysis, and experimental assessments using laboratory and representative operational environments.
• Develop and evaluate cyber situational awareness, decision support, resilient architecture, and AI-enabled capabilities, including the use of AI/ML for analysis and decision support where appropriate, and characterize their performance, uncertainty, limitations, and failure modes under realistic operating conditions.
• Evaluate commercial and emerging technologies, identify gaps affecting government and mission use cases, and adapt or extend technologies to address operational needs.
• Transition successful prototypes from laboratory demonstrations into operationally relevant environments and, when appropriate, fielded capabilities.
• Communicate technical approaches and results through documentation, briefings, demonstrations, and, when appropriate, publications and technical forums.

• Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

• Have experience with Python or another programming language, such as C/C++, Java, Go, or Rust, and familiarity with Linux environments, debugging, and version control.

• Have foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles, including network security, vulnerability analysis, and offensive cyber concepts.

• Understand basic networking concepts and have exposure to areas such as embedded systems, virtualization, industrial control systems, or related technologies.

• Have experience solving technical problems through coursework, internships, research, or hands-on projects, including testing, troubleshooting, and evaluating solutions.

• Have experience using AI-assisted tools for coding, debugging, research, or other technical tasks, with an understanding of how to validate results and use these tools responsibly.

• Have strong communication, analytical, and teamwork skills, with an interest in collaborating across technical disciplines.

• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and ultimately obtain a Top Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information, including U.S. citizenship.

• Have hands-on experience with cybersecurity, embedded systems, industrial control systems, operational technology, or cyber-physical systems through coursework, internships, research, or personal projects.

• Have exposure to reverse engineering, vulnerability research, penetration testing, network protocol analysis, or cyber test and evaluation.

• Have experience with cybersecurity or development tools such as Wireshark, Ghidra, Docker, SIEM platforms, or similar technologies.

• Have familiarity with AI/ML, data analysis, modeling and simulation, or emerging technologies and their applications to cybersecurity.

• Have participated in technical research, independent projects, cybersecurity competitions, or collaborative engineering projects.

• Hold an active TS/SCI or higher-level U.S. Government security clearance.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttps://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccessibility@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.