Distinguished Engineer, AI Security

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The AI Security Distinguished Engineer will be a senior individual contributor within Verizon's AI Security Services organization, focusing on the effective design and implementation of an AI/ML security reference framework and threat modeling operations. This will include working closely with technology partners, business stakeholders and other parts of the CyberSecurity organization to improve Verizon's AI security posture through regular assessments of Verizon's AI solutions, including the underlying premise and cloud-based infrastructure, to ensure that configurations align with best practices and organizational requirements.

The ideal candidate will serve as a technical subject matter expert, developing and continually improving processes and technologies that enable the business to rapidly deploy secure AI solutions. They will introduce clear and detailed expectations for AI development and implementation, enabling the business by documenting acceptable thresholds, configuration and tooling options at the data, application and infrastructure layers. This will require strong technical and interpersonal skills, to assess solutions against these requirements and explain the risk associated with any "gaps" to both technical, non-technical and executive audiences.

Responsibilities include:

• Designing, developing, and implementing security automation solutions across the AI/ML lifecycle, including model development and training data pipelines.

• Performing threat modeling and risk assessments for AI models and surrounding infrastructure (On-Prem, AWS, GCP, and Azure).

• Building and maintaining security automation tools to detect and prevent model tampering, data poisoning, adversarial attacks, and model leakage.

• Collaborating with data science teams to integrate security tools into CI/CD pipelines and MLOps platforms.

• Working with AI Governance teams to develop and enforce model documentation, access controls, and factsheets.

• Supporting regulatory compliance (e.g., NIST AI RMF) by embedding technical safeguards.

• Investigating security incidents involving AI/ML components, including misuse detection and model behavior anomalies.

• Advising software engineers, data scientists, and product managers on best practices of AI/ML security.

• Documenting Verizon's AI security reference architecture and best practices across all cloud providers and AI services (for example, Bedrock) Ensure continual alignment with Verizon's business needs, Cybersecurity strategy and industry best practices.

• Assisting teams with hands-on configuration of AI services.

• Fostering relationships and processes that ensure that a security architecture review is included in Verizon's AI development lifecycle. This includes ensuring that all phases of AI model development, from design to deployment, incorporate robust security measures to protect against threats.

• Ensuring timely and well orchestrated VCS engagement in Verizon's secure AI efforts.

• Serving as a trusted advisor to the business and technology stakeholders across the enterprise to partner on AI security concerns.

• Working collaboratively with the Threat Management Center (TMC) & Insider Threat Operations (ITO) to provide requirements for effective threat detection and response processes for AI technologies.

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.
• Eight or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.
• Five or years of experience in software security, with at least 2 years focused on AI/ML systems.
• Experience with machine learning workflows, frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow), and model lifecycle.
• Experience with secure architecture principles, threat modeling (STRIDE, LINDDUN), and adversarial ML risks.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an IT or Cybersecurity architecture role.

• Strong experience serving as a sr. engineer with AWS and GCP.
• Strong technical knowledge of AL / ML technologies.
• Comprehensive understanding of cyber based frameworks including NIST AI Risk Management Framework, MITRE ATLAS, and OWASP Top 10 LLM.
• Expert knowledge of large enterprise environments, network protocols, network devices, multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.), and secure architectures.
• Experience working with risk and threat assessments (threat modeling) as part of security monitoring onboarding or product development.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and presentation skills.
• Highly collaborative with ability to articulate ideas and influence peers and senior leaders.
• Experience working on cross-functional teams including engineering, products teams, legal and security.
• Proficient in Python and one or more additional languages (Go, Java, etc.)
• Familiarity with ML-specific vulnerabilities like data/model poisoning, model inversion, and membership inference attacks.

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every "even better" qualification listed above.

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, stock incentive programs, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we've got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.