Senior Research Scientist - Security Engineering

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems. All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.The computer systems we interact with on a daily basis are inherently flawed. By nature, many systems contain bugs and vulnerabilities. What if we could architect systems that think differently? The Secure and Resilient Systems group at Riverside Research aims to do just that. By leveraging secure input handling, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and open architectures, we aim to ensure systems are secure by design, eliminating entire classes of vulnerabilities.Riverside Research is seeking a dynamic and growth-focused senior-level research scientist to support research and development of bleeding-edge engineering security technologies. As a key member of our Secure and Resilient Systems team, the research scientist will interface with government research organizations (e.g. DARPA, IARPA, service labs, etc.), perform business development, work on existing R&D contracts, grow their research area, and develop bleeding-edge technologies for transition to the warfighter. The research scientist will interface with team members across Riverside Research locations.The research scientist will contribute to a diverse team responsible for developing security technologies in a variety of DoD systems. They will get hands-on experience working towards and developing secure parsers, MBSE artifacts and tools, and other technologies in the interest of DoD partners. They will develop software and systems that use new and existing technologies in areas that these technologies may have never been applied to. The senior research scientist will perform business development in their research area and work to grow their field through pursuit of new government contracts. They will also contribute to technical writing in their research area.The senior research scientist should have hands on experience in C/C++ and Python, as well as a mastery of the pitfalls of improper input handling. They should be able to think creatively to express why vulnerabilities such as Heartbleed can be classified as parser vulnerabilities. The research scientist should have extensive knowledge working with one or more of the following: network protocols, MBSE tools, secure input handling, and open architectures.Help the group design innovative parser and data protocol capabilitiesLead utilization of existing tools and creation of new tools for DoD use casesBuild new tools and/or capabilities in languages like C/C++, Python, Java, and RustPerform business development in research focus areaContribute to and lead proposal development for new and shaped workDevelop whitepapers and publish papers that document innovative work performedLead team members in debugging programs, designing systems, reviewing papers, etc.Participate and lead relevant internal and customer meetingsRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Cybersecurity and 10 years of relevant experience, 7 years and a Masters, or 4 years and a PhDExtensive experience with one or more of the following: parser design/development, MBSE tooling, networking protocols and designPrior experience with memory safety vulnerabilitiesKnowledge on data format construction and what makes a secure data formatAdvanced understanding of cybersecurity problems and solutionsExperience shaping DoD efforts, from ideation to proposalExperience performing business developmentSecret clearance with eligibility to obtain a TS//SCI clearanceWilling to travel to support customer/collaborater meetings, business development opportunities, and moreDesired QualificationsMS or PhD degree in related technical fieldExperience with parser design/developmentExperience leading teams of highly technical individualsHealthy balance between technical orientation and business acumenAbility to operate independently with limited supervision and feedback, and establish a solid working relationship with technical staff and peers in the group and across Riverside ResearchSuperior written and verbal communications skills This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees. Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.

Created: 2025-10-04