Leidos

Compensation

Full Description

The Leidos Cyber Accelerator is redefining how we build, validate, and scale next-generation cyber and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. We are seeking a Research Scientist who thrives at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI and agentic AI, and mission-aligned engineering, with a focus on anticipating and building the next generation of AI technology for AI security. The ideal candidate is passionate about securing AI and agentic AI pipelines and protocols, nonhuman identities, and emerging AI architectures. In this role you will design, prototype, and transition systems that secure AI and agentic AI-powered workflows, compress cyber operator decision cycles, secure critical software infrastructure, and deliver resiliency from the enterprise to the tactical edge. This role works alongside junior and senior engineers and research scientists with expertise in mission-critical operations, handling wide ranges of data sensitivity levels and needs, Zero Trust architectures, resilient systems design, operational technology and cyber-physical systems, cybersecurity, IT, and reverse engineering. Primary Responsibilities: -Architect, prototype, and deploy mission-aligned agentic AI frameworks and LLM powered tools for secure AI / agentic AI operations cyber defense, and autonomous cyber operations decision-making.. -Deliver working solutions across the TRL spectrum through rapid iteration from concept to prototype to enable smooth transition to enterprise and mission environments. -Advance secure AI practices through applying Secure-By-Design, Zero Trust, and red teaming approaches to ensure safety, trust, and resiliency in AI deployments. -Publish and scale innovation through developing internal playbooks, training, and enterprise-wide capabilities. -Collaborate with a team of researchers within Leidos across a range of technology areas; identify synergies and collaborations with other Leidos research and development efforts. -Resolve highly complex problems faced by developing solutions that are innovative and achieved through research and integration of best practices and leading technologies. -Assist and lead in the design, implementation, and evaluation of AI/ML models for various applications. -Enhance and maintain analysis tools, including automation of current processes using AI/ML algorithms -Work with cross-functional teams to identify relevant data sources, perform exploratory data analysis (EDA), evaluate data viability, and prepare datasets for AI/ML systems Basic Qualifications: -Master's degree and 15+ years of prior relevant technical experience in software engineering, engineering, data science, cybersecurity or cyber operations, or related field. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements. -Hands on experience building AI/ML systems, especially leveraging LLMs, multi-agent frameworks, or autonomous decision systems -Familiarity with Frontier AI company capabilities (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, etc) and LLM orchestration and agent frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LlamaIndex, Haystack) -Experience with SecDevOps, DevOps, and nonhuman identities (NHI) and related technologies. -Understanding of secure architectures including Zero Trust (NIST 800-207, DoD ZT RA), Secure-by-Design patterns (CISA), or resilient systems design. (NIST 800-160 v2r1) -Hands-on Software Development Skills (Python-Preferred) Understanding of machine learning algorithms, tools and platforms (NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Pytorch, or similar) -Must be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance. -Experience working independently and in a team in an innovative and fast-paced environment while delivering to deadlines. -Enthusiasm for innovation, experimentation and self-development in the cybersecurity field. -Excellent interpersonal/communication skills, both verbal and written. Preferred Qualifications: -Advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) -Experience with adversarial machine learning, reinforcement learning, or multi-agent systems – especially desired if having done so in the context of cybersecurity operations. -Experience evaluating, running, and / or fine-tuning open source models (e.g., Lllama-3, working w/ Hugging Face Models). -Knowledge of federated learning or edge AI deployments for cyber-physical systems or operational technology. -Experience with securing AI systems and AI components along with understanding of common frameworks such as NIST AI RMF, MITRE ATLAS, NIST AI 100-2 -Demonstrated ability to rapidly prototype, iterate, and integrate in a collaborate research environment. -Experience working with technology vendors and academic researchers, as well as leading multi-disciplinary research teams. -The ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance. If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: February 18, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law. Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500® innovation company rapidly addressing the world's most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 47,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenue of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023. For more information visit www.Leidos.com. Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here. Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to spam.leidos@leidos.com. Commitment and Diversity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.