Cyber AI/ML Research Scientist

Program Overview

About The Role

Peraton Labs is seeking a self-motivated Cyber AI/ML Research Scientist with a strong foundation in cybersecurity technologies, computer networks, and AI/ML to help design and deliver next-generation network-based defensive capabilities. This role focuses on the research, prototyping, and evaluation of AI-enabled cyber detection and modeling of cyber phenomena using techniques such as DNNs, transformer-based models, and agentic AI-assisted approaches.

You will work with a small team of research scientists to investigate challenging problems, develop novel models and software prototypes, and demonstrate performance through testbed-based evaluation. The ideal candidate thrives in an environment where they can independently drive technical work while communicating results clearly through presentations and written technical documents.

Key responsibilities may include:

• Conduct applied research on AI-enabled cyber defense approaches, including detection, modeling, and characterization of cyber behaviors and phenomena
• Design and implement prototypes that operationalize research into usable capabilities
• Develop and evaluate models using deep learning and transformer-based approaches, and explore agentic AI-assisted methods for analysis, workflow automation, and experimentation
• Work with network and cyber data modalities (e.g., flow, packet, host telemetry, logs)
• Build repeatable experiments and conduct rigorous evaluation in controlled testbeds, including performance measurement, ablations, and robustness testing
• Work with teammates to translate customer needs into technical approaches, balancing novelty with feasibility and deployability
• Produce high-quality technical documentation, briefings and presentations, and contribute to reports, proposals, whitepapers, and publications
• Maintain strong system hygiene: Linux-based development, version control, containers, reproducibility, and clean software practices
• Learn and integrate new tools/technologies quickly to keep pace with evolving customer needs and emerging research

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of MS with 6+ years of experience or PhD with 3+ YoE in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or closely related field, with exposure to cyber, networks, and machine learning.
• Demonstrated understanding of cyber concepts including TTPs and the cyber lifecycle (e.g., intrusion phases, detection/response considerations)
• Strong networking fundamentals: IP stack, network configuration concepts, routing/switching basics, protocol layering, and network architecture/layout
• Hands-on experience with ML tooling such a PyTorch, TensorFlow, and/or scikit-learn
• Strong software development skills in Python and/or C/C++
• Proficiency with Linux, Git, and Docker
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (technical presentations + well-structured documentation)
• Ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, and deliver tangible outputs in a research environment
• US Citizenship is a requirement for this position

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying ML to cybersecurity or network analytics, such as intrusion detection, anomaly detection, malware/behavioral modeling, or cyber deception/defense concepts
• Experience with network/security telemetry sources
• Direct experience with transformer models, representation learning, or foundation/LLM-adjacent methods applied to cyber workflows
• Familiarity with agentic workflows and safe evaluation approaches
• Knowledge of adversarial ML / robustness, data poisoning considerations, model security, or operational constraints of ML in defensive environments
• History of peer-reviewed publications, patents, open-source contributions, or evidence of research impact
• Experience working within controlled lab/testbed environments

SCA / Union / Intern Rate or Range

Details

Target Salary Range: $112,000 - $179,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

Benefits Statement: Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at

Application Duration Statement: The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.