AI Security Systems Architect

Requisition Id15937

Overview:

We are seeking an AI Security Systems Architect to design and develop state-of-the-art systems for security testing and evaluation of artificial intelligence technologies. This role involves creating scalable infrastructure to support cutting-edge adversarial testing methodologies, such as red team vs. blue team exercises and AI-on-AI evaluation frameworks.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in systems architecture, a working knowledge of cluster computing and scaling, and a passion for advancing the security of AI systems under real-world and simulated conditions. This position is critical for ensuring that AI systems remain resilient, robust, and secure against evolving threats. This person will play a key role within ORNL's Center for AI Security Research (CAISER) where he or she will work to advance the state-of-the-art in Automated, Agentic workflows for AI Security research, testing and evaluation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and Development for Security Testing
  • Architect and implement scalable systems tailored specifically for security testing and evaluation of AI systems.
  • Develop frameworks to support red/blue team exercises in simulated environments, enabling manual and automated adversarial testing at scale.
  • Build and integrate AI-on-AI testing infrastructures, where AI models can actively challenge each other in adversarial contexts to detect vulnerabilities or weaknesses.
• Scalability and Cluster Computing
  • Design distributed systems that support high-throughput simulations and stress-testing of AI systems under adversarial conditions.
  • Implement cluster computing solutions to efficiently scale testing environments supporting large datasets and high-performance AI workloads.
  • Optimize resource allocation for simultaneous testing tasks and real-time tracking of security metrics.
• Adversarial and Threat Modeling Infrastructure
  • Develop systems to automate the generation and execution of diverse adversarial testing scenarios, including techniques for perturbation, poisoning, and evasion attacks.
  • Design platforms for threat modeling in AI systems, enabling comprehensive vulnerability assessments tailored to diverse use cases, from cloud-hosted models to edge deployments.
  • Enable rapid prototyping and iteration for adversarial defenses integrated into the architectural design.
• Collaboration and Security Validation
  • Work closely with security specialists, AI researchers, and DevSecOps teams to evaluate and validate the security of AI systems aligned with organizational security standards.
  • Partner with stakeholders to design customized testing environments that simulate real-world attack and defense scenarios in production-like conditions.
• Leadership and Innovation
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives focused on advancing the security testing capabilities for next-generation AI systems.
  • Stay informed of emerging adversarial AI threats, testing methodologies, and scaling innovations to foster continuous improvement in security testing architectures.
  • Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership in AI security evaluation mechanisms.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related fields with 7-10 years of experience or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related fields with 2-4 years of experience.
• Proven experience architecting and implementing complex distributed systems tailored for security testing or evaluation at scale.
• Demonstrated expertise in cluster computing and scaling for high-performance environments, with hands-on experience in frameworks such as Hadoop, Spark, or Kubernetes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with techniques for AI-on-AI adversarial evaluation, including reinforcement learning-based adversarial testing setups.
• Expertise in designing systems that support red/blue team operations alongside DevSecOps integrations.
• Knowledge of privacy-preserving AI methods, secure federated learning, and cryptographic protections.
• Research or publication experience in adversarial testing, distributed systems, and AI system security.
• Experience in supporting continuous integration pipelines for AI security validation in production environments.

Special Requirements:

• Q clearance with SCI: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.