Assistant Director, Advanced Cybersecurity Research

Drive Cutting-Edge Cybersecurity Research at Kitware.

Kitware is seeking a visionary Assistant Director, Advanced Cybersecurity Research to lead innovative, high-impact projects addressing today’s most complex security challenges. This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a new cybersecurity research team, collaborating with DARPA and other government agencies to develop next-generation security solutions.

In this role, you will leverage Kitware’s strengths in AI, high-performance computing (HPC), large-scale data analysis, and software process to design and prototype advanced cybersecurity technologies. As the creators of CMake—the de facto standard build system for C++—Kitware offers an excellent environment for developing scalable, secure, and high-performance software.

• Lead & Build: Form and lead a high-impact cybersecurity research team, collaborating with Kitware’s experts in AI, HPC, and software engineering.
• Secure Funding: Lead grant proposals and industry partnerships to expand Kitware’s cybersecurity portfolio.
• Innovate & Prototype: Design and develop solutions for malware analysis, reverse engineering, AI-driven security, and secure systems architecture.
• Collaborate & Integrate: Partner with DARPA, government agencies, and industry collaborators to drive real-world security impact.
• Share Knowledge: Publish in top-tier security conferences and journals, elevating Kitware’s influence in the field.

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or related field with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• Expertise in AI/ML for security, cryptography, vulnerability research, or formal methods.
• Strong publication history. Candidates should include a detailed list of publications as part of their resume/CV.
• A demonstrated track record of leading federal and/or commercial business development activities and securing R&D funding for a team of 6-12 people.
• Excellent project management skills with demonstrable efforts leading and delivering complex research projects on time, within budget, and with a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Due to contractual restrictions, only U.S. citizens are eligible for consideration for this position.
• If not already cleared TS/SCI, willingness and ability to apply for, use, and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.

• Innovative Research: Lead groundbreaking projects with real-world impact.
• Software Expertise: Leverage Kitware’s existing capabilities to create scalable, secure solutions.
• Career Growth: Access professional development, conference travel, and research funding.
• Competitive Compensation: Receive a strong salary, performance incentives, and comprehensive benefits.

Company Description:

Kitware is a research and development software solutions provider with a mission to advance science, make a positive impact, and share our results all within a collaborative, employee-focused work environment that is friendly, fair, and flexible. Our work is improving healthcare outcomes, increasing national security, and advancing our national computing infrastructure. Our customers and collaborators include top universities from around the world, government organizations, national research labs, medical device manufacturers, car manufacturers, financial institutions, and many others.  

Kitware is proud to be 100% employee-owned, and Great Place to Work-Certified™.  

Additional Information:

Our team members enjoy a small company environment, flexibility in work assignments, and high levels of independence and responsibility. Besides a great work environment, our comprehensive benefits package includes a competitive compensation plan, tuition reimbursement program, flexible working hours, six weeks paid time off, 401(k), health insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, bonus plan, and free coffee, drinks, and snacks. 

For more information on our benefit offerings please visit: https://www.kitware.com/careers/.

Kitware actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, protected veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. 

Any unsolicited resume sent to Kitware, including to Kitware's mailing addresses, fax machines or email addresses, whether directly to Kitware employees or to Kitware's applicant tracking system, will be considered Kitware property.  Kitware will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume, and will consider any candidate submitted by a recruitment agency without a fully executed contract with Kitware to have been referred free of any charges or fees.

If you need assistance with applying or interviewing for a role due to a disability or special need, please reach out directly to our HR team at [email protected] at any time during the hiring process.