The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is recruiting professionals to support a range of technical roles in Cybersecurity Research and Development, including Cybersecurity Strategist, Cybersecurity Researcher, Threat Researcher, Telecommunication Device Distribution Program Expert, and Vulnerability Researcher. All positions are in the DHS Cybersecurity Service.
DHS Cybersecurity Service (DHS-CS) uses a multi-phase assessment process to qualify applicants seeking employment through the DHS-CS. Given the ever-advancing nature of cybersecurity and the ongoing need for cybersecurity talent, DHS-CS uses "Talent Pools" to pull qualified applicants (i.e., individuals who have successfully completed the multi-phase assessment process for their capability and career track/level) for consideration for these jobs.
This announcement is being used to fill the Cybersecurity Research and Development Talent Pool. By applying to this job announcement, you are opting to be part of the DHS-CS Talent Pool for ongoing consideration for employment for relevant open jobs and will remain eligible for consideration for up to one year from the date of completion.
There are a variety of Cybersecurity Research and Development opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) , DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) , and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) .
Depending on your career level and role, DHS Cybersecurity Service employees in the Technical Career Track, with a technical capability in Cybersecurity Research and Development, will generally apply their expertise to perform a range of tasks, including:
- Performing technical and nontechnical testing on systems under development, evaluating and verifying hardware and/or software to determine compliance with defined specifications and requirements.
- Using known information to prioritize research and development activities and set strategic short- and long-term strategic thresholds and objectives to achieve the greatest impact.
- Proposing to stakeholders systematic and rigorous research solutions, initiatives and projects addressing current and future security threats and vulnerabilities.
- Designing, modeling, developing, and creating prototypes of capabilities to enhance cybersecurity infrastructures and detect vulnerabilities in networks, systems, or applications.
- Actively assessing developed cybersecurity capabilities against specifications and requirements to validate functionality at capability and sub-capability levels.
- Proactively performing validations of specifications and requirements for testability and making recommendations based on test results to inform future research planning for DHS or Component offices.
- Engaging with cybersecurity experts to discuss current events, marketplace developments, and emerging and projected threats to integrate new developments into planning activities.
- Applying knowledge of networks, systems or applications and evidence-based research results to adopted technologies, especially for emerging technologies and threats.
- Customizing communications on research and development planning and initiatives in support of mitigating any issues compromising DHS or Component security.
- Proactively Identifying and analyzing functional- and security-related features to find opportunities for new capability development and reduce risk.
- Working with HQ and/or Component experts to troubleshoot prototype design and process issues throughout the product design, development, and pre-launch phases assisting others who are less seasoned.
- Collaborating with internal and external DHS stakeholders to identify, develop, and evaluate capabilities for alignment or congruence with existing environment.
- Developing supporting documentation on research and development procedures applying a disciplined scientific approach in alignment with DHS or Component policies and procedures.
This position is in the Technical Track across a range of career levels. Employees in this career track generally:
- Have between 5-15 years of cybersecurity work experience.
- Range from experienced cybersecurity professionals who apply technical expertise and independent judgement to perform cybersecurity work - to - recognized Federal cybersecurity technical authorities with uncommon technical expertise who advise on cybersecurity challenged impacting DHS and the Nation.
DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Cybersecurity Research and Development will generally:
- Conduct technology and/or feasibility research, development, and assessments.
- Provide, build, test and support a prototype capability and/or evaluates its security and utility.
- Plan, conduct or oversee comprehensive technology research to evaluate potential vulnerabilities in cyberspace systems.
- Ensure appropriate security measures are considered throughout each phase of the R&D lifecycle.
DHS Cybersecurity Service employees start at career levels and salaries matching their experience and expertise. In recruiting for this opportunity, DHS may hire employees at higher or lower career levels and associated salaries.
To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service career tracks and levels, visit our application portal .
This position is focused on Cybersecurity Research and Development.
DHS Cybersecurity Service jobs are structured cybersecurity specializations - called technical capabilities. To learn more about technical capabilities, visit our application portal .
