Software Engineer – Low-level Systems

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

The Secure and Resilient Systems group seeks a software engineer with experience in low-level systems (crypto, operating systems) and in systems programming languages such as Rust, C and C++ to perform software development and to support a team that invents, prototypes, and evaluates software security approaches throughout the systems software stack.

 

Some topics of interest to a good candidate may include: modern systems programming languages such as Rust, compilers (e.g., frontends, IR & optimization, backends), automated program analysis and software testing. Interest in systems software (e.g., operating systems including RTOS, hypervisors), computer architecture (e.g., tagged architectures), peripheral hardware (e.g., custom device drivers, FPGA hardware, bus protocols), cryptographic protocols/implementations and/or formal methods is a plus.

 

Secure and Resilient Systems research scientists need a strong background in computer science fundamentals (e.g., algorithms, data structures, theory of computation, programming languages), experience with software development practices for large projects (e.g., version control, debugging techniques), an understanding of the system software stack and the software/hardware interface (e.g., at least one ISA, assembly code), and propensity for the research process (e.g., breaking big problems down, designing experiments, analyzing data).

 

If you have taken compilers, computer architecture, operating systems, programming languages theory and/or formal methods courses, you should apply for this position. If you have experience implementing systems software in Rust, you definitely should apply for this position. If you have hacked on low-level Rust code like crypto or device drivers, then you need to apply for this position!

Responsibilities

• Learn to read, understand and modify large systems codebases
• Implement systems code in Rust or other suitable programming languages
• Help the group design innovative solutions to customer problems related to systems software
• Prototype and evaluate features within large software projects such as LLVM
• Build new tools and/or capabilities in a range of relevant programming languages
• Contribute to whitepapers and/or published papers that document innovative work performed
• Document and communicate design decisions, technical challenges, and progress to technical program leadership
• Collaborate with team members on debugging programs, pair programming, reviewing papers/proposals, etc.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in a related technical field such as computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or cybersecurity
• Secret clearance
• Experience with low-level software including C and assembly code
• Experience with Rust
• Software development fundamentals for working inside a large project (e.g., submitting PRs, git branches/merges/rebasing, build systems, etc.)
• Communication and creative skills to develop, prototype, benchmark, and document significant security features integrated into existing systems security technologies
• Fluency in various programming languages, and strong background in programing languages, algorithms, and data structures fundamentals

Desired Qualifications:

• 2 years experience with masters or advanced degree in Computer Science or related field
• Rust expertise, including contributions to large codebases (either open- or closed-source)
• Ability to operate independently with limited supervision and feedback, and establish a solid working relationship with peers in the group and across Riverside Research
• Self-starter and ability to manage time and technical tasks independently without direct supervision
• Superior written and verbal communications skills

Global Comp

$70,000 - $140,000 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.