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Senior Principal Cybersecurity Specialist

MERC

Mercer Engineering Research Center

Warner Robins, GA 31088-7810

Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), a research institute of Mercer University, provides high quality engineering, scientific, and technical support services to both government and private industry customers.

The Senior Principal Cybersecurity Specialist leads and conducts cybersecurity operations for enterprise-based information technology (enclave, systems, or networks), platform-based information technology (systems or aircraft), and/or software development activities. The incumbent performs evaluations (compliance audits and/or vulnerability assessments), establishes program control processes to ensure risk mitigation and adherence to national, state, and local laws, and supports development of new techniques and capabilities for system security.

• Directs and conducts cybersecurity operations for enterprise IT, platform IT, and software development programs.
• Provides senior-level technical oversight to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of mission-critical systems.
• Leads multidisciplinary cybersecurity teams, projects, and initiatives to meet organizational and mission objectives.
• Performs compliance audits, vulnerability assessments, and security evaluations to identify and mitigate risks.
• Establishes and enforces program control processes to ensure adherence to DoD, federal, state, and local regulations, as well as MERC policy.
• Develops and maintains risk management frameworks, ensuring systems meet accreditation and certification standards.
• Researches, develops, and implements new cybersecurity techniques, tools, and capabilities.
• Advises leadership on emerging threats, evolving technologies, and best practices for proactive defense.
• Contributes to the design, validation, and continuous improvement of secure systems and software.
• Partners with program managers, engineers, and external stakeholders to integrate cybersecurity into all phases of system development and operations.
• Provides expert guidance and mentorship to junior cybersecurity professionals.
• Represents the organization in technical exchanges, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Oversees the operation and security of dedicated cybersecurity laboratories used for research, testing, training, and evaluation.
• Designs and maintains lab environments that replicate enterprise and platform IT systems for vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and secure system validation.
• Manages lab resources, schedules, and personnel to support multiple concurrent projects.
• Ensures laboratory compliance with DoD, federal, and organizational security standards, including proper handling of classified or sensitive data.
• Drives innovation by piloting new tools, techniques, and methodologies within the lab before enterprise-wide deployment.
• Ensures thorough familiarity and awareness of all MERC core capabilities and with the MERC current and potential customer base.
• Promotes MERC capabilities and interests to customers and potential customers whenever possible.
• Submits suggestions for new business opportunities or reports identified customer problems or opportunities to the Director of Acquisition Strategy through a Chief Engineer.
• Leads or supports Technical Interchange Meetings with customers.
• Maintains awareness of business opportunities that may lead to additional business for any MERC core business area during all customer-related activities.

• US Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
• Ph.D. in Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Forensics, Information Assurance, Information Technology, or related information security-focused degree from an ABET-accredited institution and 9 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree in same field and 14 years of relevant experience; or undergraduate degree in same field and 15 years of relevant experience.
• Nine years of experience leading or organizing cybersecurity projects and/or personnel at any level.
• Expert in three of the following areas: software security, system administration, security testing, information assurance, design, implementation, validation, and compliance; proficient in one area, and possess varying levels of knowledge in the remaining areas.
• CompTIA Security+ certification.

MERC offers a generous benefits package including health and dental insurance, retirement contributions, tuition reimbursement, vacation/sick leave accrual, and holiday pay.

Staff MERC Exempt

40

EEO/Veteran/Disability