Edtech.com's Summary

Carnegie Mellon University is hiring an Associate AI Red Team Engineer. The role sits on the AI Security team at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), Carnegie Mellon's federally funded research center, where red teamers run adversary emulation exercises against AI-enabled platforms used in national security settings. The engineer develops new attack techniques and builds tooling in Python, PowerShell, C, and BASH, and presents findings to mission partners, with the work covering offensive cyber tradecraft as well as AI security.

Highlights

Red team real-world AI-enabled systems, including both the model and the hardware, software, and network it runs on, in support of national security objectives.
Develop new tactics, techniques, and procedures for attacking AI-enabled systems so defenders are better prepared for real-world threats.
Write red team tooling in Python, PowerShell, C, and BASH, and plan and rehearse operations that sometimes run at an aggressive cadence.
Communicate with external mission partners and internal CERT collaborators, and present findings from field engagements.
Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related technical field with three years of experience, or a master's with one year, or a PhD.
Prior penetration testing, red teaming, or exploit development experience, including hands-on work with a command and control framework such as Cobalt Strike or Sliver.
Programming and scripting in Python, C, and BASH without AI assistance, plus experience with reverse engineering tools like Ghidra and IDA Pro.
Strong TCP/IP and OSI-layer knowledge, Wireshark skills, and security assessment experience on both Linux and Windows systems.
At least one certification such as OSCP, CPTS, eJPT, or GPEN, though equivalent experience shown in technical interviews can substitute.
Willingness to travel about 25% to SEI offices, sponsor sites, and conferences, and to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.

Associate AI Red Team Engineer Full Description

Who We Are

SEI conducts research and development in software engineering, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and many other areas of computing, working to introduce private-sector innovations into government. The SEI works closely with defense and government organizations, industry, and academia to continually improve software-intensive systems. Its core purposes are to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities, advance cybersecurity methods and technologies, and bring the discipline of software engineering to AI systems.

What We Do

The CERT Threat Analysis (TA) Directorate conducts research and development activities to identify, analyze, coordinate disclosure, and mitigate threats and vulnerabilities in systems and software. The TA Directorate is currently comprised of three teams: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Security, Malware and Vulnerability Exploitation, and Platform and Mission Engineering. The AI Security team works on advancing the state of the art in AI security at a national and global scale. The Malware and Vulnerability Exploitation (MVE) team works to improve cyber-tradecraft analysis within strategic target communities to counter adversarial use of the Internet and related technologies. The vulnerability side of MVE (home of the CERT Coordination Center) works with an expansive network of vendors, partners, and collaborators to reduce the societal harm of vulnerable software and systems. The Platform and Mission Engineering team develops and maintains tools, environments, and operational support for the malware analysis, reverse engineering, vulnerability analysis, and AI security domains.

Position Summary

As an AI Red Team Engineer on the AI Security team, you will play a central role in adversary emulation exercises and capability development for our mission partners. Due to our unique position within the TA Directorate, the systems we red-team fall outside the realm of 'traditional' enterprise red teaming. Our targets are commonly AI-enabled platforms used within national security contexts.

But this isn't a "make the LLM say the bad thing" type of AI red team. We operate across multiple domains, meaning that our red teamers are expected to be experts in offensive cyber in addition to AI security. If you are experienced with offensive cyber tradecraft and have an interest in breaking into AI, this could be a good fit. Most of our red teamers are actively taking graduate-level technical courses at CMU and/or pursuing technical certifications. Perpetual learning is a core part of what we do.

While our red team exists within a research organization, research is only a portion of the work performed by our red team. Much of the work will involve red teaming real-world systems, sometimes at an aggressive cadence. This can involve planning and rehearsing red team TTPs, traveling to field sites, and presenting relevant findings. Like most red teams, we don't get to pick and choose our targets. This means that our red team needs to be well-rounded (both as individuals and as a team). Thus, we expect all applicants to be savvy with both Windows and Linux, solid with TCP/IP, and have some experience with penetration testing and/or red teaming (CTF experience may be relevant for Assistant and Associate levels).

What you’ll do:

Red team real-world AI-enabled systems (both the model and the hardware/software/network that it runs on) in support of national security objectives.
Develop new tactics, techniques, and procedures for attacking AI-enabled systems and related software in order to better prepare defenders for real-world threats.
Write tools in Python, PowerShell, C, and BASH to enable red team operations.
Represent the CERT technical portfolio of work and operations; communicate with external mission partners and internal collaborators in concert with CERT directorates and teams.

Who you are:

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a relevant technical discipline with three (3) years of relevant work experience; or a MS in Computer Science or a relevant technical discipline with one (1) year of relevant work experience; or a PhD in Computer Science or other relevant technical discipline. Other educational backgrounds of a technical nature with experience as described may be considered.
You have previous penetration testing, red teaming, or exploit development experience.
You have previous hands-on experience with at least one command and control framework (e.g., Cobalt Strike, Sliver).
You have experience programming/scripting in Python, C, and BASH (without the assistance of AI) and are willing to learn PowerShell.
You have experience with reverse engineering tools (e.g. NSA Ghidra, IDA Pro).
You are able to read code and quickly spot basic vulnerabilities without the assistance of AI or fuzzing.
You are very familiar with TCP/IP and all layers of the OSI model. You have experience using Wireshark and can explain how common network protocols work.
You have experience in assessing the security of both Linux and Windows systems. Experience with mobile (e.g., Android) and other operations systems is also appreciated.
You have at least one of the following relevant certifications: OSCP, CPTS, FORGE/RIOT, eJPT, CBBH, BSCP, PNPT, GRTP, GPEN. Applicants without these certifications will still be considered if equivalent experience is clearly demonstrated during technical interviews.
You have excellent communication skills (oral and written), particularly regarding technical communications with non-experts.
You enjoy mentoring and cross-training others and sharing knowledge within the broader community.
You have a willingness to travel (25%) outside of your office location to other SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings.
You will be subject to a background investigation, and you must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function: Software/Applications Development/Engineering

Position Type: Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time: Full time

Pay Basis: Salary

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [email protected] or by phone at 412-268-5072.

Let me find your next job.

Thanks - you're signed up.

Associate AI Red Team Engineer

Edtech.com's Summary

Associate AI Red Team Engineer Full Description

Information Security Analyst, Center for Cybersecurity Research

IT Security Engineer

IT Security Specialist

Director of Identity and Information Security

Network Security Analyst - IS - Data Security - FT - Day