Lead AI Engineer – Cybersecurity
Job Description
Company: Harnham
Location: Fort Meade, US
Lead AI Engineer – Cybersecurity
Active TS/SCI Clearance Required (Poly preferred)
Fort Meade, MD – Hybrid (2-3 days/week onsite)
$200,000 – $225,000 Base + Bonus
THE COMPANY
Harnham is partnering with a well-known government contractor which supports U.S. national security and public-interest missions across cybersecurity, AI, and defense.
This role sits within the Trustworthy & Secure AI department, a specialized group focused on advancing adversarial AI, AI assurance, and secure deployment of AI technologies in high-stakes environments. The team works directly with the U.S. government and intelligence agencies, driving innovation in AI-enabled cyber defense and mission-critical systems.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Conduct adversarial AI research, including threat modeling, vulnerability analysis, and red teaming of AI systems.
• Develop mitigation strategies for adversarial attacks and improve AI system robustness and resilience.
• Design and deploy secure AI systems for use in cyber and intelligence environments.
• Integrate AI technologies into operational cyber defense systems and mission workflows.
• Collaborate directly with U.S. Cyber Command and intelligence stakeholders on AI initiatives and adoption strategies.
• Support AI workforce enablement, training, and implementation of secure AI tooling.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives across AI, cybersecurity, and mission domains.
• Provide technical leadership through mentoring, architecture guidance, and thought leadership contributions.
• Present findings through briefings, whitepapers, and technical presentations to government stakeholders.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• 8+ years (BS), 6+ years (MS), or 3+ years (PhD) of experience in AI/ML or related fields.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML fundamentals and model behavior.
• Experience in adversarial AI, AI security, red teaming, or AI evaluation frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with AI systems, including generative AI, reinforcement learning, computer vision, or agent-based systems.
• Strong background in cybersecurity, cyber operations, or related domains.
• Experience collaborating with both technical and operational stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into mission impact.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required with ability to obtain Full Scope Polygraph.
PREFFERED EXPERIENCE
• Experience supporting government, defense, or intelligence organizations.
• Exposure to offensive or defensive cyber operations.
• Experience deploying AI systems into production or mission environments.
• Knowledge of AI governance, assurance, and secure deployment frameworks.
• Familiarity with intelligence data or operational cyber workflows.
• Existing Full Scope Polygraph clearance.
BENEFITS
The compensation package includes a competitive base salary, annual bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your CV via the Apply link on this page to register your interest.
KEY TERMS
Adversarial AI | AI Security | Cybersecurity | AI Red Teaming | Machine Learning | Generative AI | Reinforcement Learning | Cyber Operations | Intelligence | Secure AI | National Security | AI Systems | Defense Technology | TS/SCI | Top Secret | Poly | Polygraph
Source: LinkedIn
