Research Lead - Securing Frontier AI

Position Overview

RAND's Center for AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) conducts cutting-edge research on transformative, high-impact technologies including artificial intelligence and biotechnology to shape policies that protect global security and advance the public good. As a Research Lead - Securing Frontier AI, you will manage significant research budgets and personnel, oversee complex technical research and policy analysis projects, and lead multidisciplinary teams of policy researchers, engineers, and scientists. This 2-year term appointment—with options to renew and potential for longer-term employment—requires presenting findings to both technical and non-technical audiences through quick-turnaround policy briefs and detailed technical analyses.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage significant research budgets and personnel
• Oversee complex technical research and policy analysis projects
• Lead multidisciplinary teams of policy researchers, engineers, and scientists
• Communicate research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of technical experience in security engineering, software engineering, firmware engineering, hardware engineering, or related fields
• 6+ years of technical management experience, including leading cross-functional teams, managing project budgets, and mentoring team members
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead complex projects to completion
• Proficiency in Python, Java, C/C++, or other popular programming languages
• Ability to develop rigorous and comprehensive approaches and identify potential system vulnerabilities
• Strong ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to reason about policy options given different technical considerations
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment
• Fluency with MS Office suite

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate of the Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP), Remote Interactive Operator Training (RIOT), Future Operator Readiness Growth and Enrichment (FORGE), or equivalent experience
• Experience with red team operations or offensive cyber capabilities development
• Understanding of APT tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and experience with defending against them
• Ability to think creatively about offensive and/or defensive techniques and strategies beyond compliance with existing regulations
• Familiarity with U.S. cybersecurity agencies, authorities, and policy development processes
• Experience working in or with government on cybersecurity policy
• Experience advising non-technical stakeholders on security topics
• Familiarity with the AI/ML hardware stack (e.g., GPUs, TPUs, data center design)
• Familiarity with the AI/ML software stack (e.g., CUDA, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Ray)
• Experience working on AI research, ML model training, or model deployment
• Experience with securing AI systems

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: Salary Range of $146,200 - $261,400 (Visiting Technical Specialist: $146,200 - $211,900; Visiting Technical Expert: $167,300 - $261,400). This includes base pay plus additional sabbatic pay when vacation is taken.
• Benefits: Health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off, and more.
• Hybrid work arrangement with options for remote work