Embedded Systems Cyber Security Co-Op - Fall 2026 - CIPHER

Job Description GTRI’s Cooperative Education ("co-op") program offers you extensive opportunities to participate in diverse scientific and technological endeavors, use state-of-the-art equipment, and rapidly improve your technical and leadership skills. The program allows you to alternate three semesters of full-time work at GTRI with semesters of full-time school Fall 2026. Embedded Systems Vulnerability Division (ESVD) within the Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research Laboratory (CIPHER) is skilled in reverse engineering, vulnerability discovery, and forensics analysis of embedded systems. Red team activities focus on vulnerability discovery and the development and demonstration of RF and network-based techniques to gain unauthorized access to and/or exploit information networks. These efforts identify weaknesses and help ensure that mitigations are effective. The Division specializes in wireless and embedded devices such as radios, modems, routers, and embedded controllers comprising various military and Industrial Control System (ICS) networks. Research is also focused on developing innovative tools, architectures, and methodologies for software and microelectronic hardware assurance to support needs in trustworthy embedded computing applications, e.g., Internet of Things (IoT). ESVD seeks Co-Op students to support teams performing embedded system cybersecurity testing. Successful candidates will need to be able to analyze large problems and break them down into smaller, achievable tasks. To support this they will need to be able to create high-level block diagrams, create custom scripts to support testing and solve problems from first principles. Students will be working on projects that may involve one or more of the following: embedded systems development, hardware reverse engineering (RE), firmware RE, software RE and/or signals analysis. Working alone and alongside other students is expected. Strong written communication skills are a must. Experience with capture the flag events, firmware/software reverse engineering with Ghidra or IDA, or software‑defined radios is desired. Required Minimum Qualifications Co-op Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA Must be eligible to be approved by your college/university to participate in a co‑op program and register for co‑op credit with your university during work terms Must be able to complete at least three full‑time co‑op terms (alternating three terms of full‑time work at GTRI with semesters of full‑time school) prior to graduation Hours per Week 40 hours per week U.S. Citizenship Requirements Due to our research contracts with the US federal government, candidates for this position are required to be US Citizens. Clearance Type Required Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance. Housing and Relocation Housing and relocation assistance are not available for this position. Equal Employment Opportunity The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, and services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract. #J-18808-Ljbffr Georgia Tech Research Institute