Secure Software, Embedded Systems Engineer (mid-career)

 

Group 53 applies foundational and applied cybersecurity research to the most critical challenges in national security. We develop secure systems that are resilient to adversarial threats—now and in the future. Our work spans the entire R&D spectrum: from system architecture and threat modeling, to cryptographic protocol design, secure implementation, field prototyping, and transition. Our mission is to ensure that national security systems can be trusted and relied on, even in adversary-contested environments.

 

We work closely with mission areas and divisions across Lincoln Laboratory, enabling breakthroughs in communications, sensing, autonomy, and space systems to retain their strategic edge in real-world deployments. Collaboration across disciplines is central to our impact. Our staff includes system security researchers, applied cryptographers, software engineers, formal methods experts, and embedded systems developers. We bring modern security approaches into complex, high-stakes environments where assurance, performance, and operational realities must coexist.

 

We are a collegial and mission-driven team. We value excellence, innovation, inclusion, and individual growth. Our culture is known for mentoring and developing PIs and technical leaders. We strive to bring out the best in our people—and our systems—so that the Laboratory, and the nation, can count on them when it matters most. 

 

 

Short Description

 

Who This Might Appeal To

This opportunity may resonate with staff who have been working on mission systems and have experienced firsthand how security gaps can emerge—not because the mission was poorly understood, but because implementation decisions, architecture tradeoffs, or rapid prototyping practices left systems vulnerable.

 

You may be someone who has begun to notice these gaps, who has wrestled with how to build systems that are not just capable, but trustworthy. This is a chance to apply your mission system knowledge in a new context—helping to bring secure-by-design thinking to the Laboratory’s most important technical programs. Whether you’re considering a long-term shift into system security or just a broadening tour to deepen your understanding of secure system design, this role could be a meaningful part of your career at the Laboratory—and a valuable investment in your personal and professional growth.

 

Job Description

As an Associate Technical Staff member, you will:

 

• Contribute to the development, prototyping, and implementation of secure computing, storage, and communication technologies.
• Engage in a range of research and engineering activities, from software design and system integration to testing and evaluation.
• Collaborate with engineers and researchers across disciplines to solve technical challenges relevant to National Security.
• Support the transfer of technical solutions to real-world applications.

Required Qualifications

To thrive in this role, you should have:

 

• A Master’s degree in Computer Security, System Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
  • Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency in one or more of the following:
  • Software design, development, and testing in Rust (preferred) and/or C/C++.
  • Systems integration, testing, and evaluation of secure systems.
  • Embedded systems analysis, design, and implementation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a team-oriented environment.

 

We value varied paths to expertise and encourage candidates with practical experience or alternative educational backgrounds to apply.

Desired Knowledge

We also value experience or interest in one or more of the following:

 

• System engineering, security requirements analysis, and threat modeling.
• Secure programming practices and software development lifecycle.
• Operating system internals, embedded systems security, and network protocols.
• Applied cryptography and protocols, including industry and government standards.
• Advanced cryptographic techniques such as multi-party computation and zero-knowledge protocols.
• Software static and dyn