Key Facts

Remote From:

Canada, California (USA), District of Columbia (USA), Massachusetts (USA), Pennsylvania (USA), Washington (USA), United States

Full time

Senior (5-10 years)

119 - 261K yearly

English

Hard Skills

Data Engineering Security Engineering Front End (Software Engineering) Cloud Computing Complex Adaptive Systems System Monitoring Systems Architecture Cloud Computing Software Engineering Cloud Computing Cross-Functional Collaboration Large Language Modeling Data Processing AI Security Biosecurity Project Management Communication Sciences

Roles & Responsibilities

Professional experience in software engineering with a focus on backend or data engineering.
Experience operating, monitoring, and deploying systems in modern cloud infrastructure with a security-first mindset.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
Background in biosecurity, dual-use technology, or AI security and misuse (preferred).

Requirements:

Own end-to-end critical data infrastructure in a highly autonomous environment, developing and securing complex systems with a security-first mindset.
Design, implement, deploy, monitor, and maintain AI security and biosecurity systems in modern cloud environments.
Collaborate with program leads and cross-functional teams to scope, plan, and execute projects; communicate technical topics to technical and non-technical audiences.
Operate across fast-paced projects, ensuring reliability, security, and compliance while maintaining ownership of critical data infrastructure.

RAND Corporation

Non-profit Organization - Charity

About RAND Corporation

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND researchers and analysts continue to be on the cutting edge of their fields, working with decisionmakers in both the public and private sectors to find solutions to today's difficult, sensitive, and important problems. The high caliber of our researchers is well-known, as evidenced by the many Nobel Laureates who have been affiliated with RAND, either as employees, consultants, or in an advisory capacity. RAND provides an exciting intellectual environment and opportunities for career growth. We hire highly qualified applicants and provide challenging assignments. Diversity is an essential operating principle at RAND. We look for unique backgrounds, original views and diversity in academic training, work experience and ideological outlook. We are committed to Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. To view current job openings visit http://www.rand.org/jobs.html

Company type: Large

Industry: Non-profit Organization - Charity

Founded: 2018

Company size: 1001 - 5000

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Job description

Job Type:

Term (Fixed Term)

Overview

The RAND Center on AI, Security, and Technology (RAND CAST) is seeking technically excellent and mission-driven AI Security / Biosecurity Engineers to work across a number of our most critical and fast-paced AI security and biosecurity workstreams.

RAND CAST works on pressing national security challenges related to emerging technologies. Our areas of focus include AI security, compute, biosecurity and bioresilience, and the intersection of AI and biotechnology.

Emerging technologies, especially AI and biotechnology, have many promising beneficial and defensive applications. Given their dual-use nature, they also present a number of new security challenges. RAND CAST explores ambitious technical and policy approaches to solving these complex problems. We are a team of world-class technical and policy analysts, engineers, and scientists giving decision-makers the objective insights they need to navigate global emerging threats.

Position Description

We are looking for individuals who are driven by a bias for action; capable of developing and securing complex systems under high-stakes and fast-paced conditions; and can act as an owner, not just a contributor, with end-to-end ownership of critical, sensitive data infrastructure in a highly autonomous environment.

We have a number of ongoing technical projects across our AI security and biosecurity teams. Candidates will discuss initial projects with program leads as part of the interview process.

Qualifications

Required:

Professional experience in software engineering with a focus on backend engineering and/or data engineering.
Demonstrated ability to build robust and technically complex systems with a security-first mindset.
Experience operating, monitoring, and deploying systems using modern cloud infrastructure.
Preference for working in a fast-paced, autonomous environment.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to technical and non-technical audiences
Fluency with MS Office suite

Preferred:

Advanced knowledge of integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into workflows.
Background in biosecurity, dual-use technology, or AI security and misuse.
Ability to scope cross-functional projects with internal customers and own their execution.
Experience with distributed data processing platforms.

Education Requirements

PhD in Biological Sciences, Computational Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Information Security, Information Technology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Engineering and Public Policy, Technology and Policy, National Security Policy, Policy Analysis, Political Science, International Relations, or similar is required.

Master’s degree in the fields listed above with 3+ years of professional experience, is required.

Bachelor’s degree in the fields listed above with at least 5+ years of professional experience, is required.

Master’s or PhD preferred.

Term

This position is structured as a two-year appointment with options to later extend the initial appointment and explore other opportunities for growth.

Security Clearance

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government clearance is preferred.

Location

We are hiring for this position in San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; and Boston, MA. We offer a hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on-site options. Fully remote work will also be considered.

Salary Range: $118,500 - $261,400

Technical Resident, Associate II = $118,500 - $171,900

Technical Resident, Specialist = $146,200 - $211,900

Visiting Technical Expert = $167,300 - $261,400

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). This position may be eligible for additional compensation. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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