Group Leader - Cyber Resilience Foundations

Overview Protecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex—from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation's borders, and protect critical infrastructures. PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities—rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools—are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security. Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe. We are seeking a people-focused leader passionate about defining and driving the nation’s research & development (R&D) in cybersecurity to serve as the Group Leader (GL) for Cyber Resilience Foundations (CRF). The GL embodies people-oriented leadership, deep mission understanding, and technical expertise to create and implement the group's vision and strategy. Our fast-growing cybersecurity portfolio bridges basic research in the science of cybersecurity with applied R&D programs that bring these advances to operational environments. The GL provides line management and technical leadership for the group, with responsibility for setting a technical capability vision and realizing it by selecting, maintaining, and growing the group’s people, equipment, facilities and technical capabilities. The CRF group stewards PNNL’s technical capabilities in cybersecurity mitigations and defenses R&D which involves capabilities and tools to deter, slow, and confuse the adversary, with a particular emphasis on energy industrial control systems. The GL directly leads four Team Leaders, and through them, an entire group composed of 40+ staff located in Richland, WA and throughout the U.S. The GL serves as a core member of the Emerging Threats & Technologies Division leadership team, helping to guide the growth of the division across PNNL and establishing productive collaborations with other mission areas in the Laboratory. The GL is also a member of the National Security Directorate’s (NSD) extended leadership team and works to secure internal R&D and overhead funding to drive group, division, and directorate-level objectives and priorities. This GL role specifically requires the ability to envision and lead the integration of the division’s cyber capabilities, which span across three cyber-focused research groups and will be asked to engage heavily on the direction of cyber strategy for the national security directorate. The GL creates a work culture that prizes mission impact, operational success, and strong teams while emphasizing engagement, operational discipline, security and safety. Our ideal candidate has experience growing and/or leading an R&D portfolio at the intersection of cyber and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Responsibilities Conducts fundamental and applied research in various cyber security domain areas. Researches and advances theories, techniques and approaches to secure computing, cyber resiliency, cyber defense and analysis, including the design and efficiency of algorithms and how humans interact with computers and computing processes as well as the methods used for experimentation in the cyber security domain. Develops work products including new theories and technical advances in the field. Produces and/or integrates solutions driven by exploratory analysis from complex architectures and data sets based on research of security trends, new methods, and techniques used in unauthorized access or misused use of data and systems. Resulting from research and exploratory analysis, designs and develops novel and secure computational systems and components, including both hardware and software, with a focus on architectures, languages, applications, secure software design, secure hardware design, machine learning, reverse engineering, malicious software analysis, statistical modeling, formal methods and protocols. Prepares and presents technical reports, reports, and/or publications. May interface with external entities including law enforcement, intelligence and other government organizations and agencies. Working with our Program Development Office to define and attract new programs; identify, promote and drive science and technology (S&T) into either PNNL’s research and development (R&D) process or the R&D processes of U.S. government departments and agencies. Working closely with other groups in the Emerging Threats & Technologies Division to deliver science & technology solutions to our sponsors - act as a critical bridge between the research and operational capabilities of PNNL. Developing and executing technical group plans and strategies to support programmatic delivery. Managing four or more technical team leaders as part of the CRF management team, growing the next generation of leaders. Through the Team Leaders, accountable for the organization leadership of 40+ staff members. Fostering a feedback-rich environment; actively understanding and resolving barriers that impede staff and accomplishment of work; providing clear, direct and timely feedback and growth opportunities; and fostering active bi-directional communications to inform organizational decisions. Contributing to division and directorate strategy objectives as a member of the Emerging Threats & Technologies Division leadership team; may lead, coordinate or contribute to activities that advance organizational long-term goals. Translating strategy into action, setting directions for capability investments and defining future group strategy and technical agendas. Actively communicating Lab, sponsor and external technical trends to the group, and representing group directions and capabilities outwardly to these communities. Liaising with the external technical community, such as developing partnerships with university and industrial collaborators and interacting regularly with government sponsors to connect mission needs with PNNL security capabilities. Administering overhead budgets and staff development resources to ensure expertise, facilities and equipment are mission-ready. Building a sense of community with PNNL staff located across the country in either hybrid or virtual environments. Serving as a mentor to staff, helping to foster their career growth and facilitating their ability to network across PNNL. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant work experience -OR- MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR- PhD with 5+ year of relevant experience Preferred Qualifications: Experience with DOD, DHS, DOE and/or other federal agencies. Highly skilled in managing research or technology development projects and teams. Strong background in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to the cybersecurity domain. Strong record of collaboration across technical domains and delivering results in multi-disciplinary environments. Demonstrated record of developing and sustaining external funding for R&D programs, and of professional, technical and management accomplishments in cybersecurity or a related field. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills and a love of mentoring others, along with a reputation for integrity and trust. Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Supervisory or line-management experience and direct responsibility for capability stewardship of technical working group is preferred. Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment Not applicable. Additional Information This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. Requirements: U.S. Citizenship Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B. Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the candidate selected is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP). Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy until non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months can be demonstrated. Testing Designated Position This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program. About PNNL Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them! At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs. Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at [email protected]. Drug Free Workplace PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. Mandatory Requirements Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment. Rockstar Rewards Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year. * Research Associates excluded. **Once eligibility requirements are met. Click Here For Rockstar Rewards Minimum Salary USD $176,400.00/Yr. Maximum Salary USD $313,500.00/Yr.