2027 Graduate - Engineer/Researcher - Cyber Capabilities Development

Description

Do you want to apply your technical skills to real-world problems and gain experience with cyber operations?

Do you enjoy creating, building, experimenting with, and testing new technologies?

Are you intellectually curious, seeking to understand how systems work, where they break, and what you can make them do?

Are you passionate about cybersecurity, national security, and public service?

If these questions resonate with you, you may be a great fit for the Cyber Warfare Systems Group (QCR)! QCR team members apply their skills to offensive security operations and non-kinetic mission defeat. We develop innovative cyber capabilities that support the U.S. military's efforts to execute cyber missions at scale in support of joint operations. We are a team built around trust, clarity, growth, and mission impact. Our research areas include analysis and targeting, cyber layer modeling, cybersecurity, and human- systems modeling.

As a member of our team...

You will work on multidisciplinary teams to turn promising technical ideas into mission-relevant capabilities. Depending on your interests, background, and expertise, you may:

Apply technical methods such as vulnerability research, cybersecurity, networking, penetration testing, cryptography, information theory, modeling and simulation, or data science to cyber mission challenges.

Experiment with emerging technologies, including AI-enabled approaches, and critically evaluate their capabilities, limitations, and risks.

Design and develop models, prototypes, software, tools, automation, or other technical capabilities for challenging cyber operations missions.

Investigate systems and technologies to understand their behavior, security properties, vulnerabilities, and potential mission applications.

Test, assess, and refine capabilities in realistic environments as they move from concept toward deployment and operational use.

Partner with government, contractor, and APL teammates across the capability lifecycle

You meet our minimum qualifications for consideration if you

Are graduating with or have recently completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, or another engineering or technical field.

Have academic, research, internship, personal project, or professional experience in one or more technical areas such as vulnerability research, information theory, information security, cryptography, networking, penetration testing, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, software development, or related fields.

Enjoy creating, experimenting, prototyping, and turning promising ideas into working technical solutions.

Can critically evaluate technical approaches, including AI-enabled technologies, and distinguish demonstrated capability from unsupported claims or assumptions.

Can combine technical depth with curiosity and creative problem solving to tackle problems that may not have an obvious answer.

Can acquire an Interim Top Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a Top Secret with SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information.

Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

Have demonstrated leadership, initiative, or the ability to bring people together to accomplish challenging goals. We value people who make their teams better, whether or not they hold a formal leadership role.

Can effectively communicate technical information, concepts, and ideas to technical and non-technical audiences.

Have experience with open-source intelligence (OSINT), publicly available information (PAI), commercially available information (CAI), intelligence analysis, targeting, geopolitical analysis, or other mission-focused analytical methods.

Have experience applying AI/ML, large language models, or AI agents to automate complex tasks, accelerate research or development, or create new capabilities, and understand the opportunities, limitations, and risks of operationalizing AI in mission-critical environments.

Have proficiency in defense-critical foreign languages or experience applying language and cultural expertise to mission problems.

Understand defense and intelligence sponsor operations and processes such as acquisition, sustainment, risk management, or test and evaluation.

Have an active Secret level clearance or above.

About Us

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 at https://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 contact [email protected].

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.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually