OT Adversary Emulation Engineer

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Department Summary:

The Cyber Physical Deterrence Technologies Department (L543), part of the Cyber Infrastructure Protection Innovation Center (CIPIC), is focused on capabilities and technologies designed to deter our adversaries from holding our infrastructure at risk. This includes technical deterrence capabilities such as forensics and attribution, device countermeasures, adversary emulation, and deception capabilities. Policy-based capabilities also play a critical role in the execution of the deterrence mission. Development of normative behaviors and well-defined coordinated response options, for example, are achieved by reducing the ambiguity surrounding cybersecurity capabilities possessed, and the consequences for leveraging these capabilities against global infrastructure. L543 examines both domestic and foreign control systems and weapons systems technologies for hardware and software weaknesses. CIPIC views deterrence as a capability achieved in a coordinated fashion using both technical and non-technical means; the Policy Support core LOE is heavily engaged by L543.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Cyber Physical Deterrence Technologies Department is seeking a strong technical candidate with a cyber security and computer science or computer programming background to join a research and development team focused on the use of cyber deterrence technologies. The candidate will be responsible for helping improve the state of the art in cyber deterrence technologies in the critical infrastructure space through the development and application of applied research that solve problems for our sponsors. The candidate will enjoy a fast-paced team environment, working on cutting edge technology, and able to envision and start new projects and technologies.

The candidate will be responsible for helping improve the state of the art in OT cyber deterrence technologies in the critical infrastructure space through the development and application of applied threat and vulnerability research. This research will be manifested in the development and usage of OT advisory emulation software. The candidate will:

• Work with a team of software developers in designing, developing, and deploying software plug-ins to existing adversary emulation applications with a focus on Caldera™ for OT
• Work with external partners and industry stakeholders to demonstrate the value of adversary emulation in OT environments through hands-on demonstrations, exercises, and direct projects
• Leverage deep technical knowledge to stay abreast of current and potential OT cyber threats, and incorporate these into the OT adversary emulation plug-ins
• Be a focal point for the OT Adversary Emulation technical capability area
• Prepare and conduct product briefings for senior leadership and stakeholders

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Top Secret/SCI/Polygraph clearance required
• ICS network protocols (e.g., DNP3, Modbus, CIP, BACnet)
• Serial bus standards and protocols (e.g. CAN bus, ARINC, MIL-STD-1553)
• Cyber Physical Systems, including Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
• Software programming and scripting languages (e.g., Python, golang, C/++)
• Adversary Emulation / Red Teaming
• Analysis of Operational Technologies
• Degree in Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field
• Knowledge in OT device development or operations
• Experience with emulating adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), cybersecurity Red Teaming, or cybersecurity Penetration Testing.
• Ability to develop and deploy OT emulation environments, leveraging virtualization, emulation, simulation, and/or hardware-in-the-loop
• Understanding of the MITRE ICS ATT&CK knowledge base
• Willingness to work cross-functionally across MITRE divisions and externally to develop and generate impact within Critical Infrastructure Resiliency and Safety
• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands on experience with creating OT focused plug-ins for Caldera™
• Proven track record of team leadership to include growing and developing team personnel. Meeting deliverable timelines, and work shaping for desired mission impact.
• Hands-on experience working with operational OT system components (e.g., ICS environments, Healthcare systems, mission platforms)
• Experience in OT device programming (firmware and software)
• Familiarity with well-known OT incident Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) (e.g., Industroyer/2, Triton).
• Familiarity with security frameworks, for example NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), NIST Special Publication 800-53, ISO 27001, Collection Management Framework, NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), etc.
• Industry forum / association participation experience

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:
$153,000 - $191,500 - $230,000 Annual

Work Location Type:
Hybrid

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