Network Security Researcher

Carnegie Mellon University

Network Security Researcher developing detection capabilities and facilitating insights from network data. Working with partners to enhance understanding and expand data expertise for security tools.

Posted 7/8/2026full-timeArlington • Pennsylvania, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLeadWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber SecurityGoJavaPythonRubyScala

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Research network threats to develop methods of detection and tailor these for partner environments.
Transition of this research will take the form of developing detection capabilities, providing new requirements and feature requests for our NetSA Security tool suite, writing publications, and providing customer-specific training.
Responsible for gaining insights from data to facilitate detections.
Work with partners to help them to better understand their data.
Research new data sources to expand the expertise of the team.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a relevant technical discipline with eight (8) years of relevant work experience; or a MS in Computer Science or a relevant technical discipline with five (5) years of relevant work experience; or a PhD in Computer Science or other relevant technical discipline with two (2) years of relevant work experience.
Movement between buildings within the SEI and CMU community required. Willingness to travel to various locations to support the SEI’s overall mission. This may include national travel to sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings on occasion.
You will be subject to a background check and will need to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.
Ability to translate threat intelligence to avenues for research, prototyping, and curation of detection capabilities.
Strong knowledge of network fundamentals, common application layer protocols, and network-based telemetry.
Strong proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language such as Python, Go, Ruby, C, Java, or Scala.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, detailed research, and ability to document and communicate ideas and findings to diverse audiences.
Hands-on experience in a security research, threat hunting, detection engineering, or Cyber threat Intelligence (CTI) analyst role.
Experience analyzing large datasets, especially network telemetry such as netflow, application metadata, or PCAP from network sensors such as YAF, Zeek, Suricata, etc;
Experience applying cybersecurity data science methods and practices.
Experience using open-source and / or commercial Internet intelligence telemetry and datasets.
Strong grasp of the threat landscape and experience researching and investigating threats.
Experience presenting technical topics.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Network-Based TelemetryScripting LanguagesData AnalysisThreat HuntingDetection Capabilities DevelopmentResearch MethodologiesApplication Layer ProtocolsCyber Threat IntelligenceLarge Dataset AnalysisDocumentation and Communication

Soft Skills

Problem-SolvingAnalytical SkillsCommunication Skills

Certifications

Department of War Security Clearance