Diakon Solutions - Technology Development & Support Services
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Employment


Aviation Research Cyber Security Analyst

Program Area 1. Cyber Security Data Science

The primary purpose of the Cybersecurity Data Science (CSDS) program is to identify effective and innovative ways to apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science technologies to enhance cybersecurity for aircraft, airlines, and airports. Researchers work directly with the aviation industry to explore common cybersecurity concerns. This multi-year collaborative effort will better enable industry to utilize lessons learned from this research to strengthen their own cybersecurity, both individually and collectively, making the broader aviation ecosystem more resilient and safer for the flying public.

Tasks:

  • Provide research expertise on Generative Adversarial Networks with inputs from auto penetration testing and network prioritization methods with the goal of establishing Cyber Predictive analytical techniques.

  • Articulate and coordinate research requirements with sponsors and other stakeholders.

  • Conduct literature reviews on relevant research topics.

  • Review and provide input of technical deliverables.

  • Develop research reports.

  • Develop and conduct briefings to project sponsors and stakeholders.

 

Program Area 2. Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Cyber Safety Resilience

This research project addresses a specific DOT task assigned in U.S. Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Policy (Space Policy Directive 7), the National  Implementation Plan signed by OST-R in May 2021, and the Aug 2021 OSTP National Research and Development Plan for Positioning, Navigation and Time Resilience to pursue enhanced aircraft antenna technologies in addition to complementary GPS/GNSS avionics, GPS and WAAS authentication in order to enable resilient and responsible use of GPS such that disruption or manipulation does not undermine aviation safety or national economic security.

Tasks:

  • Provide research expertise on GPS/GNSS antenna and antenna electronics.

  • Articulate and coordinate research requirements with sponsors and other stakeholders.

  • Conduct literature reviews on relevant research topics.

  • Review and provide input of technical deliverables.

  • Develop research reports.

  • Develop and conduct briefings to project sponsors and stakeholders.

 

Duties and Qualifications

Duties:

  • Support CSDS research, engineering, and development.

  • Support PNT Cyber Safety resilience research, engineering, and development

  • Support the development and evaluation of new concepts, procedures, equipment, technology, facilities, or training methods.

  • Attend and provide technical support at meetings with program/project stakeholders.

  • Work in close collaboration with staff from other technical disciplines.

  • Assist in the conduct of comprehensive reviews of relevant literature and existing data to ensure that previous efforts are not duplicated.

  • Contribute to oral presentations and written reports that effectively communicate findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.

 

Qualifications:

  • Degree in engineering, physics, math, computer science or information technology

  • Solid understanding of AI/ML data science techniques.

  • Experience in solving complex data questions using advanced statistics and machine learning algorithms to analyze data for insights and predictions. Identifying and interpreting trends and patterns in large and varied datasets. Identifying opportunities to deploy predictive analytics.

  • Understanding of Aviation industry networks and operations.

  • Understanding of aviation cyber security, standards, and application of cyber techniques to aviation systems external to FAA networks and services.

  • Understanding of SPLUNK, Microsoft Sentinel and other security information and event management (SIEM) platform is advantageous.

  • Attention to detail and good problem-solving skills.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Understanding of GPS L1 Coarse/Acquisition (C/A), GPS L5, Galileo E1, E5 and L1/L5 Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)/Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) operations.

  • Knowledge about current (and evolving) GPS/GNSS antenna and antenna electronics export rules.

  • Knowledge about advanced adaptive multi-element, beam nulling and beam forming (steering) GPS/GNSS antenna, antenna electronics and in-line technologies.

  • Knowledge of antenna ground planes/ antenna patterns/ antenna integration and aircraft integration requirements.

 

Relevant experience is experience directly reflecting the work, task or project being evaluated. The nature of the activities, analyses and work products must be very similar or identical to those of the intended project.

  

Contact: John Daniels, john.daniels@diakonsolutions.com, (609) 432-2085

 


Technicians

 

Location: Work will be throughout the various R&D laboratories within the Aviation Research Division at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center.

 

Level: Entry Level (Technician I).

 

Certification/License: None needed, but A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) License preferred.

 

Duties: Provide a wide-range of general assistance to the various R&D projects and laboratories throughout the Division as needed.

 

Qualities:

Mechanically inclined

Knowledge, skills and experience using basic shop tools

Safety-minded

Responsible

Able to perform manual labor

Not afraid to get dirty

Good references

Works well with others

Able and willing to learn new things

Benefits: Full benefits including 7 weeks paid leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K.

Salary: Commensurate with experience, skills and certifications.

Contact: John Daniels, john.daniels@diakonsolutions.com, (609) 432-2085

 


Updated June 21, 2023