Critical Infrastructure Protection Operations Expert

Do you have the enthusiasm and curiosity to seek, tackle, and create opportunities to solve the Nation's hardest cyber and intelligence challenges?

Are you passionate about ensuring the resilience of National Security Systems and critical infrastructure against the most advanced cyber threats?

Do you thrive at conceptualizing strategies and working across partner organizations to implement those strategies to drive high impact results supporting the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), and state and local government partners?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a forward-leaning leader with experience in critical infrastructure security and a strong technical background to help us develop and execute technical concepts, impactful capabilities and business engagement strategies in the domain of defensive cybersecurity for operational technology (OT) systems-such as enhancing the cyber resilience of water treatment facilities, municipal power grids, or Department of Defense industrial control systems and weapons systems platforms. You'll join a mission-driven team of scientists, engineers and program managers working to protect the Nation's most critical infrastructure, including SCADA systems in electric utilities, PLC-controlled systems in manufacturing plants, automated HVAC/BAS in secure government buildings, and defense industrial base assets.

Together, we strive to foster innovation and achieve mission impact through the application of science and technology to real-world challenges. As a member of our team, you will be a key mission partner to sponsors and stakeholders, helping to develop transformational capabilities and strategies focused on cyber resilience for National Security Systems and critical infrastructure.

As a Critical Infrastructure Protection Operations Expert, you will...

• Spearhead strategic and tactical opportunities by identifying sponsor needs and crafting compelling technical strategies and business engagements for DoD, IC, state and local governments, and critical infrastructure organizations.
• Anticipate trends in relevant critical infrastructure sectors and government departments, guiding internal research and developing custom strategies in response.
• Serve as a thought leader in the domain of defensive cyber for OT environments and contribute to the long-term vision for protecting national critical infrastructure.
• Lead executive-level engagements with sponsors and stakeholders to build trusted relationships.
• Drive sponsor engagement and roundtable discussions to shape impactful concepts and foster long-term relationships with both government and industry stakeholders-such as partnering with state emergency management agencies, defense industrial base contractors, or municipal utilities to pilot new OT security architectures. Showcase APL's technical capabilities through impactful sponsor demos, in-person briefings, and virtual sessions.
• Contribute to the overarching strategy of Cyber Resilient Platforms and Infrastructure, including shaping internal research proposals and securing external funding.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of high-performing engineers and sponsor-facing program managers and project managers to achieve overall sponsor goals and objectives.
• Develop and track success metrics, maintaining high standards for operational discipline, performance monitoring, and monthly data-driven updates across the program area.
• Collaborate with technical teams to lead proposal development for cyber-physical systems and OT cybersecurity initiatives.
• Work with mission area leadership to produce effective technical marketing materials (e.g., capability one-pagers and fact sheets) to engage prospective sponsors and become an effective ambassador representing APL's capabilities and expertise in the critical infrastructure domain.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or another relevant technical field.
• Have 15+ years of experience in cybersecurity, cyber operations, or related areas in critical infrastructure, defense or intelligence sectors.
• Have 10+ years of experience managing technical programs, ideally with DoD or IC sponsors.
• Have a solid understanding of operational technology systems (e.g., SCADA, ICS) and can confidently represent technical concepts to sponsors and stakeholders, including knowledge of applicable government regulations, standards, and policies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of critical infrastructure sectors, their government oversight organizations, and associated budgets and acquisition processes-such as familiarity with CISA's Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs), DOE's CESER Office, or DHS S&T investments in infrastructure resilience.
• Are skilled in systems engineering, software development, and sponsor engagement.
• Possess superb time management skills.
• Have strong technical aptitude with a consistent and proven track record in cybersecurity sponsor engagement planning, strategy development, and aligning value propositions. Proven ability to influence prospective partners, executives, and teams.
• Ability to network and collaborate across organizations and with external partners. Experience leading cross-organization and cross-functional teams.
• Hold an active TS/SCI clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI + Polygraph. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
• Are self-driven and proactive.
• Are willing to travel (~25%) for customer meetings, conferences, and test events.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Possess an advanced degree or have additional experience in critical infrastructure resilience, cybersecurity engineering, cyber-physical systems, or machine learning applications to cyber defense.
• Hold PMP or DAWIA certification, or can obtain it within 12 months of employment.
• Have hands-on OT product or network development experience.
• Have a strong track record in developing long-term sponsor relationships and securing funding for large-scale technical programs ($5M-$10M)
• Have proven ability to recruit and develop top talent.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttp://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.