Research Engineer - Cryptography

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems. All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship

Position Overview

Within Riverside Research, the Open Innovation Center (OIC) conducts internally funded and contract-funded R&D to develop technologies with lasting practical impact. The Secure and Resilient Systems (SRS) group within OIC focuses on rigorous approaches to building trustworthy computing systems.

SRS seeks a Research Engineer – Cryptography to develop, prototype and evaluate cryptographic solutions (primitives, protocols, systems, etc.). The engineer will contribute to a range of collaborative R&D projects, working with colleagues across formal methods, cryptography, and programming languages.

We are looking for a research engineer with a background in cryptography interested in applying their skillset to a wide-range of problems including, but not limited to, multiparty computation (MPC), cryptographic device design and implementation, and cryptographic implementation analysis. A strong candidate has worked on implementing cryptographic primitives, read standards and research on cryptography, and are familiar with implementation-specific attacks on cryptography.

Responsibilities

• Implement and analyze cryptographic solutions.
• Develop efficient solutions and integrate into larger applications.
• Follow software engineering best practices; design, develop, review, test, and validate software.
• Collaborate on multidisciplinary research with colleagues in formal methods, cryptography, programming languages, systems software, and related areas.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, cybersecurity, or a related field; 3+ years of relevant engineering experience.

• Experience in implementing cryptographic schemes, primitives, and distributed systems.
• Proficiency in systems programming languages (C, C++, Rust) with the ability to learn Rust.

• Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly in writing and in presentations, and to collaborate effectively with researchers from different disciplines.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

Beneficial but not required:

• Experience implementing cryptography with the Rust programming language.
• Experience working with embedded systems.

• Experience evaluating implementations for cryptographic weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
• Experience working on certified cryptographic systems.
• Experience in optimizing and benchmarking applications.
• Research experience in cryptography and cryptographic protocol development.
• A publication record or other demonstrated contributions to research in security or cryptography.
• Familiarity with recent post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards and primitives.

• Existing TS security clearance.

Global Comp

$80,000 - $110,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Closing Statement

Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees. Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.