Position Details
Position Information
Requisition Number
S4898P
Home Org Name
Charles D. McCrary Institute at AU
Division Name
Samuel Ginn Col of Engineering
Position Title
Manager, Validation Command, Edge Lab
Job Class Code
JA34
Appointment Status
Full-time
Part-time FTE
Limited Term
Yes
Limited Term Length
Job Summary
This position will be located on the campus at Auburn University.
The Charles D. McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University seeks an accomplished technical leader to serve as Manager, Validation Command, Edge Lab.
Reporting to the Senior Technical & Lab Director, this position leads the Validation Command within McCrary's Edge Lab, serving as the Institute's national proving ground for cybersecurity assurance, independent validation, and real-world resilience testing. The Manager is responsible for designing, leading, and delivering complex validation campaigns that test, measure, and strengthen the cybersecurity of America's most critical systems.
This role directly supports current and developing programs with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE ) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER ), Department of Homeland Security (DHS ) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA ), Department of War (DoW), Department of Transportation (DOT ), U.S. Secret Service (USSS ), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA ). The position also collaborates withDOE national laboratories (ORNL ,INL , andPNNL ) and private-sector technology leaders in cybersecurity, operational technology (OT), and AI assurance and other innovation partners advancing the security of critical infrastructure systems.
Why Join McCrary?
The McCrary Institute is dedicated to defending the systems that power our national and economic security, our communities, and our way of life. Through its Edge Lab, McCrary integrates policy, research, and field operations to deliver trusted solutions that secure America's critical infrastructure.
By leading McCrary's Validation Command, you will shape the national standard for how cybersecurity solutions are tested, validated, and deployed-driving measurable impact on resilience across sectors that matter most to our nation's future.
Essential Functions
Lead the Validation Command as McCrary's center for independent cybersecurity testing, evaluation, and assurance across operational technology (OT), information technology (IT), and artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Direct validation campaigns and use case testing under the Southeast Region Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (SERC3), focusing on energy, water, communications, transportation and critical infrastructure resilience.
Design and execute adversary-informed testing, red/blue team exercises, zero-trust pilots, and continuity-under-compromise evaluations.
Develop and maintain rigorous validation methodologies for OT/ICS , AI/ML assurance, RF/communications systems, and multi-domain cyber tools.
Lead technical execution for programs includingDOE /SERC3,USSS Forensics,DOT /FTA RF Toolkit, andUSDA /State Program Hygiene Tools, ensuring deliverables meet sponsor expectations.
Produce authoritative technical reports, playbooks, and findings that inform both operational sponsors and national policy discussions.
Strengthen partnerships with national laboratories, AI and cybersecurity technology companies, and industry consortia to advance standards-based validation.
Represent McCrary as the validation authority at technical working groups, industry forums, and federal program reviews.
Mentor engineers, analysts, and student researchers engaged in validation and testing programs.
Support capture and proposal development by providing technical insight into test design, validation frameworks, and performance measurement.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Why Work at Auburn?
Life-Changing Impact : Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
Culture of Excellence : We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
We're Here for You : Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
Sweet Home Alabama : The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
A Place for Everyone : Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Master's Degree in Cybersecurity, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a closely related field and 7 years of in cybersecurity Testing, validation, assurance environments.
Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications
Minimum Skills and Abilities
Deep technical expertise across multiple domains: OT/ICS cybersecurity, IT security tools, AI/ML assurance, or RF/communication systems.
Strong command of validation and test methodologies, assurance frameworks, and compliance standards (e.g.,NIST ,DOE CESER ,DHS /CISA ) .
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, translate sponsor priorities into actionable validation plans, and produce defensible, high-quality outputs.
Demonstrated experience coordinating across federal agencies, utilities, and industry partners on cybersecurity validation or resilience programs.
Exceptional technical writing and briefing skills for both executive and technical audiences.
Minimum Technology Skills
Minimum License and Certifications
Desired Qualifications
Desired Qualifications
Masters or Ph.D. in Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related discipline.
Experience working withDOE national laboratories,CISA regional offices, or DoD test and evaluation programs.
Familiarity withICS cyber range development, emulation environments, and AI-driven threat modeling.
Certifications such asCISSP ,GICSP , orPMP .
Posting Detail Information
Salary Range
$104,030 - $208,060
Job Category
Research
Working Hours if Non-Traditional
City position is located in:
Auburn
State position is located:
Alabama
List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position
Posting Date
11/11/2025
Closing Date
Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement
It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit theirwebsite (https://auburn.edu/administration/eoc/) to learn more.
Special Instructions to Applicants
provide 3 references
Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://www.auemployment.com/postings/56889
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Resume
Cover Letter
Optional Documents
