Cyber Research Engineer (Intelligence Center)

Job Description

Company: The MITRE Corporation

Location: US

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That’s because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation’s toughest challenges—and we’re committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We’re making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE – and make a difference with us.

The MITRE Corporation’s N973 National Security Department is part of MITRE’s Intelligence Center and supports national security sponsors through integrated technical research, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and information technology expertise. N973 partners across MITRE and with government leaders to understand sponsor strategy, shape complex work programs, and deliver trusted technical advice aligned to operational priorities. By connecting sponsor challenges with MITRE’s cross-cutting talent and prototype-driven innovation, N973 advances mission impact, technical excellence, and enduring national security outcomes.

Roles & Responsibilities:
• Conduct advanced research and prototype new demonstration capabilities focused on sponsor priorities and operational needs.
• Analyze state-of-the-art technologies and associated software to understand design, behavior, security properties, and mission applicability.
• Perform software reverse engineering, code analysis, programming, and debugging to identify technical options, capability opportunities, and implementation risks.
• Devise, test, evaluate, and recommend new technical approaches that enable required cyber capabilities.
• Create software prototypes in C, Python, and related environments to demonstrate possible new capabilities and validate research concepts.
• Collaborate within and outside MITRE to bring the best available mix of skills and knowledge to sponsor challenges.
• Clearly document research analysis, code, test results, progress, and recommendations; communicate findings effectively to sponsors and MITRE staff.

Basic Qualifications:
• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related technical field.
• Experience performing software reverse engineering and code analysis of complex software systems.
• Proficiency developing, debugging, and testing software in C and Python in Linux environments.
• Ability to create software prototypes and develop innovative research proposals focused on operational needs.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly document research analysis, code, progress, and recommendations.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with Full Scope Polygraph (at the time of hire)
• U.S. Citizenship required
• Must be able to meet the on-site requirement at MITRE or government locations.
• This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week

Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline.
• Experience in a technical field conducting cyber research, software analysis, reverse engineering, or prototype development.
• Experience developing or applying agentic AI tools to accelerate reverse engineering, analysis, automation, or prototype workflows.
• Experience with vulnerability analysis, exploitability assessment, or secure software analysis.
• Java programming experience.
• Experience transitioning research prototypes into demonstrations, operational evaluations, or sponsor decision materials.
• History of building trusted relationships with demanding sponsors or leaders; excellent interpersonal skills, judgment, discretion, and tact.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with an NSA Full Scope Polygraph

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCI/Polygraph

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCI/Polygraph

Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$172,800 – $216,000 – $259,200 Annual

Work Location Type:
Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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Source: Careers At MITRE