Job Description Summary
Organization's Summary Statement:
The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland is a University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC) dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and technology transition to improve decision making for U.S. national security. ARLIS combines deep scientific expertise with operational insight to address challenges in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence / machine learning, quantum science, and human-machine teaming. Researchers, scientists, engineers, and analysts at ARLIS collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions to deliver actionable insights and transformative solutions through research and development. Employees at ARLIS work on projects of critical importance, contribute directly to the nation’s security, and are supported by a culture that values integrity, collaboration, and professional growth.
The Electrical Hardware and Systems Validation Research Professional serves ARLIS by conducting research on resilience of cyber-physical systems supporting critical infrastructure, including susceptibility and vulnerability modeling, testing, validation, and mitigation approaches relevant to national security applications.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
● Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
● Skill in troubleshooting system errors.
● Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
● Ability to analyze situations and determine the best recourse for response.
Must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance. If selected, you must meet the requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to a government security clearance investigation that includes criminal and credit history checks, as well as verification of U.S. citizenship, birth, education, employment, and military history.
Final offer is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to successfully obtain the necessary interim Secret security clearance, as determined by the U.S. Government, prior to commencing employment
Physical Demands:
Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.
Qualifications
ARLIS is hiring at all levels in two complementary tracks: Research Specialist and Research Engineer.
Research Specialist Qualifications:
Entry Level:
● Bachelor’s degree plus 2 years of demonstrated experience in organizing and managing projects through volunteer, extracurricular, or work activities.
Mid Level:
● Master’s degree plus 3+ years of experience in a technical role or project management position for defense or intelligence R&D programs with experience in technology assessment, systems design, system analysis, executing on multiple technical programs with scheduled deliverables, and communicating and interfacing with government customers; or Bachelor’s degree plus 5+ years of relevant experience in a role of equivalent responsibility.
Senior Level:
● Master’s degree plus 7+ years of experience in a technical role or project management position for defense or intelligence R&D programs with experience in technology assessment, systems design, system analysis, executing on multiple technical programs with scheduled deliverables, and communicating and interfacing with government customers; or Bachelor’s degree plus 10+ years of relevant experience in a role of equivalent responsibility.
Research Engineer Qualifications:
● PhD plus 5 years or more of relevant research experience, depending on level, including success leading research projects and interacting with government sponsors, customers, and stakeholders.
● Demonstrated potential for excellence in the execution, administration, and/or management of research or academic programs.
● Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a matrixed organization with a collaborative and team-centric culture.
● Strong oral and written communication skills.
● Excellent analytical and deep-dive skills.
Preferences:
● Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Applied Physics, Cyber/Physical Security, or a related field
Experience:
● Experience in technology assessment, systems design, system analysis, executing on multiple technical programs with scheduled deliverables, and communicating and interfacing with government customers.
● Experience conducting research on resilience of cyber-physical systems supporting critical infrastructure.
● Experience with susceptibility and vulnerability modeling, testing, validation, mitigation approaches, and measurement-informed modeling of complex systems.
● Experience planning and executing test and evaluation activities, including defining success criteria, developing test plans, conducting data collection, and documenting results.
● Experience preparing technical deliverables and briefings for government stakeholders.
● Experience contributing to research proposals and technical work plans, including scoping technical approaches, defining methods, estimating effort, and identifying risks.
● Comfort working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
● Active or eligible for a security clearance
Licenses/ Certifications: N/A
Minimum Qualifications
The appointee shall hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area and show potential for excellence in the administration and/or management of academic or research programs. Faculty Specialists are expected to engage in activities such as developing curriculum and/or innovative means for delivering curriculum, supervising the non-research activities of graduate or post-doctoral students, serving as grant writers or authors of other publications for an academic or research program, conducting specialized research duties or other such duties that would generate intellectual property to which the faculty member shall retain the rights. Appointments to this rank are typically one to three years and are renewable.
Additional Job Details
Required Application Materials: Resume, List of References
Best Consideration Date: N/A
Posting Close Date: 12/31/26
Open Until Filled: Yes
Department
VPR-Applied Research Lab for Intelligence & Security
Worker Sub-Type
Faculty Regular
Salary Range
$49,072 - $252,288
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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