Full Spectrum Cyber AI Researcher

Description

The Leidos Cyber Accelerator is redefining how we build, validate, and scale next-generation cyber and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. We are seeking a Research Scientist who thrives at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI and agentic AI, and mission-aligned engineering. The ideal candidate is passionate about a broad range of projects from research & development to prototype development, culminating in deployment of our products to customers.

In this role you will design, prototype, and transition AI- and LLM-powered systems that compress cyber operator decision cycles, secure critical infrastructure, secure AI and Agentic AI systems, and deliver resiliency from the enterprise to the tactical edge. This role works alongside junior and senior engineers and research scientists with expertise in Zero Trust architectures, resilient systems design, operational technology and cyber-physical systems, cybersecurity, IT, and reverse engineering.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Architect, prototype, and deploy mission-aligned agentic AI frameworks and LLM powered tools for cyber defense, autonomous cyber operations decision-making, and secure AI / agentic AI operations.

• Deliver working solutions across the TRL spectrum through rapid iteration from concept to prototype to enable smooth transition to enterprise and mission environments.

• Advance secure AI practices through applying Secure-By-Design, Zero Trust, and red teaming approaches to ensure safety, trust, and resiliency in AI deployments.

• Publish and scale innovation through developing internal playbooks, training, and enterprise-wide capabilities.

• Collaborate with a team of researchers within Leidos across a range of technology areas; identify synergies and collaborations with other Leidos research and development efforts.

• Resolve highly complex problems faced by developing solutions that are innovative and achieved through research and integration of best practices and leading technologies.

• Assist and lead in the design, implementation, and evaluation of AI/ML models for various applications.

• Enhance and maintain analysis tools, including automation of current processes using AI/ML algorithms

• Work with cross-functional teams to identify relevant data sources, perform exploratory data analysis (EDA), evaluate data viability, and prepare datasets for AI/ML systems

• Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of prior relevant technical experience in software engineering, engineering, data science, cybersecurity or cyber operations, or related field. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

• Basic understanding of secure architectures including Zero Trust (NIST 800-207, DoD ZT RA), Secure-by-Design patterns (CISA), or resilient systems design. (NIST 800-160 v2r1)

• Must be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance.

• Hands on experience building AI/ML systems, especially leveraging LLMs, multi-agent frameworks, or autonomous decision systems.

• Familiarity with LLM orchestration and agent frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LlamaIndex, Haystack)

• Hands-on Software Development Skills (Python-Preferred) Understanding of machine learning algorithms, tools and platforms (NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Pytorch, or similar)

• Experience working independently and in a team in an innovative and fast-paced environment while delivering to deadlines.

• Enthusiasm for innovation, experimentation and self-development in the cybersecurity field.

• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.)

• Experience with adversarial machine learning, reinforcement learning, or multi-agent systems - especially desired if having done so in the context of cybersecurity operations.

• Experience evaluating, running, and / or fine-tuning open source models (e.g., Lllama-3, working w/ Hugging Face Models).

• Knowledge of federated learning or edge AI deployments for cyber-physical systems or operational technology.

• Experience with securing AI systems and AI components along with understanding of common frameworks such as NIST AI RMF, MITRE ATLAS, NIST AI 100-2

• Demonstrated ability to rapidly prototype, iterate, and integrate in a collaborate research environment.

• Experience working with technology vendors and academic researchers, as well as leading multi-disciplinary research teams.

• The ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.