Senior Research Scientist - Cyber Network Security

Peraton Labs is seeking a highly motivated individual to support and enhance development of classified and unclassified network research prototypes for a government research customer. Candidates will work in a dynamically changing environment and expected to be able to acquire and adapt new technologies to create state-of-the-art prototypes. We are seeking an individual with a combination of skills and flexibility to help make a difference in mission-oriented research prototypes. Not all of the skills listed below are required, but the candidate should be motivated, willing, and excited about learning and adopting new technologies. Self-starters who have the drive to acquire expertise on their own and who thrive in a dynamic environment will excel in this position. Network expertise is part of the heritage of Peraton Labs, with its lineage stretching back to Bell Labs, Bellcore and Telcordia. We are seeking motivated individuals to join the team who want to move forward with the next generation of network research.

This role requires on-site work out of College Park, MD.

Responsibilities may include:

• Analyzing user requirements, concept of operation documents, and high level system architectures to develop system requirements specifications
• Analyze system requirements and lead design and development activities
• Guide users in formulating requirements, advise alternative approaches, and conduct feasibility assessments
• Provide technical leadership for the integration of requirements, designs, and systems into ongoing operations
• Develop technical documentation, system architecture, or system design documentation
• Interacts with the customer regarding technical consideration and for associated problems, issues or conflicts
• Ultimate responsibility for the technical integrity of work performed and deliverables associated with your area of responsibility
• Communicate with other program personnel, government overseers, and senior executives
• Participate in interface definition, design, and changes to the configuration between affected groups and individuals throughout the life cycle
• Derive an understanding of stakeholder needs, functions that may be logically inferred and implied as essential to program effectiveness
• Participate in establishing and gaining approval of the definition of a system or component under development (requirements, designs, interfaces, test procedures, etc.) that provides a common reference point for hardware and software developers
• Establish and follow a formal procedure for coordinating system integration activities among multiple teams, ensuring complete coverage of all interfaces
• Develop alternative courses of action, workarounds, and fall-back positions with a recommended course of action for each risk, and monitor and re-evaluate risks at appropriate milestones.
• Maintain knowledge of current and evolving standards applicable to the system development of interest. Apply and enforce use of suitability standards to ensure consistency and interoperability of developer hardware and software

Requires Bachelor's Degree and 20 years experience in programs of similar scope, type, and complexity to this role. Degree in System Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering Management or related discipline is required.

Candidates should have proficiency in skills within the following list, which outline the breadth of work available (expertise in all areas is not required):

• Software development skills in one or more languages (Python, Go, Java), DevOps experience for team development, CICD and version management.
• Experience leading teams of direct-reports in highly technical programs.
• Expertise and experience working within the domains of AI/ML, 5G/FutureG, Cybersecurity, or other emerging technologies.
• Ability to quickly acquire knowledge in new technologies, redirect research, quickly prototype solutions, suggest new lines of research and help shape the customer’s research programs.
• Experience with reverse engineering tools, such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, for system and malware analysis when needed.
• Ability to clearly document and describe research to the government customer and their stakeholders so that you can demonstrate expertise and expand roles with the customer.
• Experience working with members of the IC and related DOD customers.
• Desire to work at customer research sites (primarily located in College Park, Md.) collaborating with government PMs and contractors to design working research prototypes.
• Current/Active TS/SCI w/ Poly required for this role

Additional Helpful Skills

• Experience with embedded systems development, Linux kernel or device driver development, or the desire and drive to acquire skills in this area.
• Familiarity with machine learning, neural networks or advanced AI techniques, or the motivation to acquire and apply these skills, is a plus.