HPC AI Cybersecurity Specialist (HPC Engineer 2/3)
Los Alamos National Laboratory· enterprise· Research & Development (National Security)· Oct 7, 2026 · 20d ago
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Hybrid
Full-time
Mid
$128K–$216K
3+ years exp
Job description
What You Will Do
The High Performance Computing (HPC) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory provides scientific computing resources consisting of some of the largest HPC systems in the world as well as numerous large commodity cluster systems and a quickly growing AI/ML/LLM infrastructure. Our Cybersecurity Team within the HPC Systems Group (HPC-SYS) is seeking a highly qualified Cybersecurity AI Specialist member capable of integrating emerging AI cybersecurity frameworks and solutions into our Linux environment. The selected candidate will stay up to date on AI tools and techniques in order to deploy these resources securely within the HPC Division.
HPC Engineer 2: ($106,400- $176,000)
The primary responsibilities will include working closely with HPC Cybersecurity leads to assist implementing HPC's overall AI cybersecurity strategy. The selected candidate will assist in the design and implementation of security controls for AI-specific assets. Develop defenses against AI threats including data poisoning, prompt injection, model extraction, adversarial examples, jailbreaks, and misuse of LLM agents. Evaluate, integrate, and automate modern AI security tools and policies across HPC Division systems, aligning with Los Alamos National Laboratory cybersecurity standards. The selected candidate will work both independently and collaboratively with other members of HPC to provide technical assistance to develop and deploy secure AI resource.
HPC Engineer 3: ($128,000 - $215,900)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the selected candidate will lead the design of HPC's AI cybersecurity strategy. Lead development and deployment of novel solutions to secure AI within an HPC environment. Develop and present technical reports and briefings on system vulnerabilities to convey risks, impacts and recommendations. The selected candidate will represent LANL HPC in collaborations with other divisions and other NNSA/DOE HPC centers. Mentor junior staff and students, and produce technical artifacts (presentations, papers, reports) that advance AI cybersecurity within HPC.
This position will be filled at either the HPC Engineer 2/3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
• Knowledge in one or more of the following disciplines: Cybersecurity, Information Security, Information Assurance, Computer Science. Understanding of classic and contemporary cyber threats and vulnerabilities and demonstrated ability to apply that knowledge to system engineering, analytics, or operations.
• Experience deploying AI resources in a production computing environments
• Understanding of function and role of AI gateways, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) databases, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers
• Working knowledge of agentic workflows, including security risks and operational limitations.
• Working knowledge of AI harnesses used to configure, run, evaluate, and manage AI models and agents.
• Experience with commodity cybersecurity tools
• Experience working in a production computing environment, preferably with HPC systems or at large scale.
• Experience with writing test plans, findings reports or published papers. Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to work with groups of people of various levels of technical knowledge or understanding. Demonstrated experience working effectively under the pressure of frequent interruptions and conflicting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to write and modify scripts in Bash, Perl, Python, or a similar language to automate technical tasks.
• Ability to explain how memory-safe programming languages reduce common software security vulnerabilities.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in writing and verbally.
Additional Job Requirements for HPC Engineer 3:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
• Expert knowledge and practical experience at the advanced level in one or more of the following disciplines: Cybersecurity, Information Security, Information Assurance, Computer Science. Expert technical knowledge of classic and contemporary cyber threats and vulnerabilities and demonstrated ability to apply that knowledge to system engineering, analytics, or operations.
• Experience leading the deployment of AI resources in a production computing environments.
• Expert knowledge of AI systems and component pieces such as AI gateways, RAG databases, MCP servers.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in creating or modifying cybersecurity tools for a production computing environment.
• Experience making significant security contributions to the planning, design, testing and implementation phases for deploying new technologies.
• Expertise in using currently available AI tools
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Education/Experience at HPC Engineer 2:
Position Requires a bachelor's in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, and 3 years of relevant experience in high performance computing or scalable AI computing, or data center environments or equivalent combination of education and experience in related field.
Education/Experience at HPC Engineer 3:
Position Requires a bachelor's in Computer Science or Computer Engineering or a related field and 6 years of relevant experience in high performance computing or scalable AI computing, or data center environments or equivalent combination of education and experience in related field.
Desired Qualifications:
• Strong Linux knowledge and expertise as an administrator. Broad knowledge of administration of production Linux computer systems, utilities, and tools, including experience building, configuring, and administering production Linux computer systems.
• Experience hardening Linux servers operating in a multi-user environment
• Knowledge of High Performance Computing, including environments and supporting infrastructure. Knowledge of distributed systems, including system architectures, computer networks, software and multi-tenancy.
• Knowledge of integrating MCP servers with legacy systems
• Experience maintaining user provenance within AI workflows
• Experience with automating security processes such as automating alert analysis and integrating multiple security tools together so data from one can feed another.
• Experience using one or more enterprise monitoring tools (such as Splunk, Grafana). Knowledge of and experience with securing web-based user interfaces.
• Possess high attention to detail including excellent organizational skills, analytical thinking, observational skills and problem-solving skills. Ability to multi-task and adjust to the workings of a dynamic and fast paced environment.
• Active DOE "Q" clearance
Work Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM, with the potential for a hybrid work arrangement (60% onsite/40% offsite) from a location within 2 hours ground commute of this location. Reporting onsite will be required. Hybrid is at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Position commitment: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM, with the potential for a hybrid work arrangement (60% onsite/40% offsite) from a location within 2 hours ground commute of this location. Reporting onsite will be required. Hybrid is at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Note to Applicants: For consideration, applicants should submit a cover letter addressing how their knowledge, skills and abilities meet the minimum requirements along with a resume.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
§ Dental and vision insurance
§ Free basic life and disability insurance
§ Paid childbirth and parental leave
§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs
§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
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