R&D Engineer Intern

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University · University Park, PA · Yesterday

On-siteResearchPart-time

The Cyberspace Operations Research Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State is seeking a motivated undergraduate student intern. The position involves researching and developing adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for conducting system vulnerability assessments and enabling security hardening support.

About the role

This internship will concentrate on researching and developing state-of-the-art techniques for vulnerability detection, system exploitation, and technical mitigations. It also includes developing scripts and applications to automate processes, designing experiments and setting up test environments, conducting experiments and executing demonstrations, testing representative systems under simulated real-world conditions, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting experimental results. Additionally, the intern will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve engineering challenges, develop and optimize prototypes for critical applications, research and document emerging technologies, and participate in technical presentations and discussions.

Responsibilities

Research state-of-the-art techniques for vulnerability detection, system exploitation, and technical mitigations
Develop scripts and applications to automate processes
Design experiments and set up test environments
Conduct experiments and execute demonstrations
Test representative systems under simulated real-world conditions
Collect, analyze, and report experimental results
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve engineering challenges
Develop and optimize prototypes for critical applications
Research and document emerging technologies
Participate in technical presentations and discussions

Requirements

Familiarity with basic system vulnerability and exploitation concepts
Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and the scientific method
Basic proficiency in Linux-based environments
Proficiency in programming and scripting languages (C, Python, bash, PowerShell)
Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
Willingness to learn and adapt to new tools, techniques, and technologies

Qualifications

U.S. citizenship required

Skills

Familiarity with basic system vulnerability and exploitation concepts
Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and the scientific method
Basic proficiency in Linux-based environments
Proficiency in programming and scripting languages (C, Python, bash, PowerShell)
Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
Willingness to learn and adapt to new tools, techniques, and technologies

Benefits

This is a paid internship opportunity. The location will be fully on-site in State College, PA, or Reston, VA, with options for hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed.

Pay

The pay rate for this internship is [insert pay rate if provided, otherwise leave blank].

Schedule

You will work up to 20 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters and have the opportunity to work up to 40 hours/week over the summer.

Application Instructions

To apply, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants. Current Penn State employees (faculty, staff, technical service, or student) should log in to Workday to complete the internal application process. Current Penn State students (not employed previously at the university) seeking employment with Penn State should log in to Workday to complete the student application process. For more information on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu. For further information on background checks/clearances, please refer to the Penn State Background Check Policy.

Note: Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.