Leidos
Senior and Principal Full Spectrum Cyber AI Researcher
Leidos, Virginia, Minnesota, United States, 55792
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, 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‑team 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 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.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
T5:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field and 12+ years of prior relevant technical experience in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity or cyber operations, or related field. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
T6:
Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field and 15+ years of prior relevant technical experience in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity or cyber operations, or related field. Bachelor’s degree and additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
Basic Qualifications
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 U.S. 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) and 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.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.).
Experience with adversarial machine learning, reinforcement learning, or multi‑agent systems—especially desired if done in the context of cybersecurity operations.
Experience evaluating, running, or fine‑tuning open‑source models (e.g., Llama‑3, working with 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 collaborative research environment.
Experience working with technology vendors and academic researchers, as well as leading multi‑disciplinary research teams.
Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
Equal Opportunity Employment All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
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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, 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‑team 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 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.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
T5:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field and 12+ years of prior relevant technical experience in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity or cyber operations, or related field. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
T6:
Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field and 15+ years of prior relevant technical experience in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity or cyber operations, or related field. Bachelor’s degree and additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
Basic Qualifications
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 U.S. 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) and 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.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.).
Experience with adversarial machine learning, reinforcement learning, or multi‑agent systems—especially desired if done in the context of cybersecurity operations.
Experience evaluating, running, or fine‑tuning open‑source models (e.g., Llama‑3, working with 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 collaborative research environment.
Experience working with technology vendors and academic researchers, as well as leading multi‑disciplinary research teams.
Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
Equal Opportunity Employment All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
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