RAND · 3 days ago
Research Lead - AI Cyber Testing & Evaluation
Washington, DC
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
$146K/yr - $261K/yr
6+ years expRAND is a leading organization focused on research in AI, security, and technology. The Research Lead will manage research budgets, oversee technical research projects, and lead multidisciplinary teams to evaluate AI models and inform responsible AI policy.
EducationGovernmentHealth CareMedicalNon Profit
Responsibilities
Managing significant research budgets and personnel
Overseeing complex technical research and policy analysis projects
Leading multidisciplinary teams of policy researchers, engineers, and scientists
Building systems to evaluate how AI models perform across the full attack lifecycle
Developing benchmarks for fully autonomous operations using scaffolding and tools
Uplift of both novice and expert humans
Developing benchmarks involving environments like CTF challenges
Assessing ability to reason over attack graphs and conduct multi-stage operations
Assessing stealth and defense evasion capabilities
Conducting evaluations commissioned by government agencies
Communicating findings through detailed technical analyses, evaluation frameworks, and quick-turnaround policy briefs
Informing analysis delivered to senior government and industry leaders
Qualification
Required
6+ years of technical experience in security engineering, software engineering, firmware engineering, hardware engineering, or related fields
6+ years of technical management experience, including leading cross-functional teams, managing project budgets, and mentoring and developing team members
Demonstrated ability to successfully lead complex projects to completion
Proficiency in Python, Java, C/C++, or other popular programming languages
Experience with red team operations or offensive cyber capabilities development
Ability to develop rigorous and comprehensive threat models and identify potential system vulnerabilities
Strong ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment
Fluency with MS Office suite
A PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Information Security, Information Technology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Engineering and Public Policy, Technology and Policy, National Security Policy, Policy Analysis, Political Science, International Relations, or similar with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience is required
A Master's degree in the fields listed above with at least 6 years of relevant professional experience, is required
A Bachelor's degree in the fields listed above with at least 8 years of relevant professional experience, is required
Either a writing sample or a code sample is required for this position
Preferred
Graduate of the Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP), Remote Interactive Operator Training (RIOT), Future Operator Readiness Growth and Enrichment (FORGE), or equivalent experience
Understanding of advanced persistent threat (APT) tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and experience with defending against them
Ability to think creatively about offensive and/or defensive techniques and strategies, beyond compliance with existing regulations
Experience working on AI research, ML model training, or model deployment
Master's or PhD preferred
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government clearance is preferred but not required
Benefits
Health insurance coverage
Life and disability insurance
Savings plan
Paid time-off
Company
RAND
RAND is a non-profit organization that provides objective research and public policy analysis services.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
RAND has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (6)
2024 (6)
2023 (12)
2022 (4)
2021 (1)
2020 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.51MKey Investors
Foundation for Opioid Response EffortsAlfred P. Sloan Foundation
2024-03-07Grant· $0.39M
2013-01-01Grant· $1.12M
Leadership Team
R
Robert Case
Vice President, General Counsel, & Corporate Secretary
Michael Leiter
Chair, Board Of Trustees
Recent News
2025-11-12
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