Technology Research Specialist

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the security and law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State (the Department). DS is a world leader in international investigations, threat analysis, cyber security, counterterrorism, security technology, and protection of people, property, and information. Its primary mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. The Office of Security Technology (ST) supports the DS mission through the application and use of appropriate technical security countermeasures. The Countermeasures Program (CMP) and Security Technology Operations (STO) divisions are operational components within ST. CMP is primarily responsible for worldwide technical countermeasures policy for the Department. Countermeasures policies enforce the protection of sensitive and classified information. CMP also manages the overseas technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM) program.

Job Duties:

• Responsible for leading the radio frequency (RF) engineering staff in evaluating new Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) RF technologies, both hardware and software-based radios, and information technologies found in the general office environment and for the mobile employee.
• Responsible for evaluating new technologies to include RF and optical, providing technical reports to senior government officials, as well as highlighting possible security vulnerabilities while making appropriate recommendations.
• Conduct open-source research on emergent technologies.
• Report on vulnerabilities and potential countermeasures. Generate RF environment baselines (worldwide).
• Document selected vulnerabilities via laboratory testing. Assisting in the drafting and review of technical security policies and guidelines involving state of the art information technologies and its implementation in Department of State resources.
• Responsible for gathering information on new technologies and any previous associated research found on those technologies, identify emanations found not previously recognized, and to implement and maintain a database of signal parameters for easy future recognition.
• Assist in various laboratory testing to determine the vulnerabilities associated with, but not limited to GSM, GPRS, CDMA, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (Wi-Fi), Free Space Optical (FSO) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies.

Requirements

• Must have a current U.S. Government final TOP SECRET Personnel Security Clearance and be able to qualify for SCI access.
• Must be eligible for and able to obtain and maintain required Security Clearance/access approvals.
• Five years of radio frequency (RF) work experience with a bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or similar field; or at least ten years of equivalent RF work experience.
• Desired experience in advanced radio wave propagation theory, digital communication systems and bit-stream analysis.
• Familiarity with new and emerging mobile information technologies. SIGINT or Signal Analyst experience.
• Familiarity with cryptography and the best security practices for computer networks and mobile computers.
• Knowledge of commercial RF technologies, e.g. GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, RFID, and WiMAX.
• Knowledge of information technology hardware and software capabilities.
• Knowledge of modulation schemes and types. Must be aware of Intelligence Community policies and be familiar with a variety of agency-specific policies.