Lead AI Engineer – Cybersecurity Active TS/SCI Clearance Required (Poly preferred) Fort Meade, MD – Hybrid (2-3 days/week onsite) $200,000 – $225,000 Base + Bonus THE COMPANY Harnham is partnering with a well-known government contractor which supports U.S. national security and public-interest missions across cybersecurity, AI, and defense. This role sits within the Trustworthy & Secure AI department, a specialized group focused on advancing adversarial AI, AI assurance, and secure deployment of AI technologies in high-stakes environments. The team works directly with the U.S. government and intelligence agencies, driving innovation in AI-enabled cyber defense and mission-critical systems.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Conduct adversarial AI research, including threat modeling, vulnerability analysis, and red teaming of AI systems.
Develop mitigation strategies for adversarial attacks and improve AI system robustness and resilience.
Design and deploy secure AI systems for use in cyber and intelligence environments.
Integrate AI technologies into operational cyber defense systems and mission workflows.
Collaborate directly with U.S. Cyber Command and intelligence stakeholders on AI initiatives and adoption strategies.
Support AI workforce enablement, training, and implementation of secure AI tooling.
Lead cross-functional initiatives across AI, cybersecurity, and mission domains.
Provide technical leadership through mentoring, architecture guidance, and thought leadership contributions.
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Present findings through briefings, whitepapers, and technical presentations to government stakeholders. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
8+ years (BS), 6+ years (MS), or 3+ years (PhD) of experience in AI/ML or related fields.
Strong understanding of AI/ML fundamentals and model behavior.
Experience in adversarial AI, AI security, red teaming, or AI evaluation frameworks.
Hands-on experience with AI systems, including generative AI, reinforcement learning, computer vision, or agent-based systems.
Strong background in cybersecurity, cyber operations, or related domains.
Experience collaborating with both technical and operational stakeholders.
Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into mission impact.
Active TS/SCI clearance required with ability to obtain Full Scope Polygraph. PREFFERED EXPERIENCE
Experience supporting government, defense, or intelligence organizations.
Exposure to offensive or defensive cyber operations.
Experience deploying AI systems into production or mission environments.
Knowledge of AI governance, assurance, and secure deployment frameworks.
Familiarity with intelligence data or operational cyber workflows.
Existing Full Scope Polygraph clearance.
BENEFITS
The compensation package includes a competitive base salary, annual bonus, and a comprehensive
benefits
package. HOW TO APPLY Please submit your CV via the Apply link on this page to register your interest. KEY TERMS Adversarial AI | AI Security | Cybersecurity | AI Red Teaming | Machine Learning | Generative AI | Reinforcement Learning | Cyber Operations | Intelligence | Secure AI | National Security | AI Systems | Defense Technology | TS/SCI | Top Secret | Poly | Polygraph