AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern
Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh, PA
- On site
- Full-time
- $30,000 / year
- Pittsburgh, PA
Job highlights
- Analyze AI/ML software vulnerabilities and propose mitigations.
- Conduct strategic trend analysis on AI/ML vulnerabilities.
- Assess threat actor exploitation of AI/ML systems.
- Analyze AI/ML tools used maliciously by actors.
- Contribute to national security AI security initiatives.
About the role
AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern
What We Do:
The SEI helps advance software engineering principles and practices and serves as a national resource in software engineering, computer security, and process improvement. The SEI works closely with defense and government organizations, industry, and academia to continually improve software-intensive systems. Our core purpose is to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities and develop or acquire the right software, defect free, within budget and on time, every time.
Position Summary:
The SEI Vulnerability Analysis Team’s mission is to reduce the societal harm from vulnerable information systems and related processes. A rapidly expanding mission area is timely AI/ML threat analysis supporting AI security of the Defense Industrial Base and U.S. National Security Systems. The Vulnerability Analysis Team Intern will contribute to a variety of core functions in this expanded mission area including:
- Vulnerability analysis of specific AI/ML software systems, the implications, and mitigation recommendations;
- Strategic-level trend analysis of emerging AI/ML software system vulnerabilities and recommendations;
- Threat actor intent, capability, and opportunities to actively exploit legitimate AI/ML software systems; and
- Analysis of tools that leverage AI/ML in malicious ways with intended use by threat actors
Requirements:
- Enrolled in a degree granting program
- Able to work an internship during the summer
- Able to work onsite to the SEI Pittsburgh office
- You will be subject to a background check and must be eligible to work in the United States without Visa sponsorship
- Willingness to explore various locations to support the SEI’s overall mission, specifically within the SEI and CMU community
Duties:
- Enable vulnerability analysis of AI/ML software systems including mitigation recommendations
- Enable trend analysis of emerging AI/ML software system vulnerabilities and recommendations
- Enable analysis of threat actor intent, capability, and opportunities to exploit legitimate AI/ML systems
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to critically think and problem solve
- Basic understanding of cybersecurity and software development concepts
- Solid understanding of AI/ML
- Basic proficiency with a programming language (preferably Python)
- Familiarity with common AI/ML software packages and tools (e.g. Pytorch, TensorFlow, ART)
- Ability to collaborate internally with professional engineers and researchers
- Willingness to learn new technologies with cross-functional teams
- Potential to analyze code and system architectures to identify vulnerabilities
- Skills in communicating technical matters clearly and effectively to non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to communicate externally with government, academia, and/or industry stakeholders
Desired Experience:
- Experience with programming languages (preferably Python)
- Experience with training AI/ML models
- Experience with adversarial machine learning techniques
- Experience with red-teaming cyber and/or AI systems
- Basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts
- Experience with clearly documenting and communicating findings
Job Function Breakdown:
- AI Security and Development: 80%
- Documentation of Results: 20%
Key skills/competency:
- AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern
- AI Security
- Machine Learning
- Cybersecurity
- Software Development
- Python
- TensorFlow
- PyTorch
- Adversarial Machine Learning
- Threat Analysis
Skills & topics
- AI
- Machine Learning
- Vulnerability Analysis
- Internship
- Cybersecurity
- Software Engineering
- Python
- TensorFlow
- PyTorch
- Carnegie Mellon University
- SEI
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight relevant coursework, projects, and any experience with Python, AI/ML, and cybersecurity.
- Emphasize academic background: Showcase your enrollment in a degree-granting program and your ability to think critically and problem-solve.
- Demonstrate technical skills: Mention familiarity with AI/ML tools like PyTorch or TensorFlow and programming languages like Python.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your understanding of AI/ML, cybersecurity, and software development concepts.
- Showcase communication skills: Highlight your ability to explain technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Technical preparation
Study AI/ML concepts and algorithms.,Practice Python programming and libraries.,Learn about common AI/ML tools.,Understand basic cybersecurity principles.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex problem you solved.,How do you handle learning new technologies?,How do you communicate technical findings?,How do you collaborate with team members?
Frequently asked questions
- What specific AI/ML skills are most important for the AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern role at Carnegie Mellon's SEI?
- For the AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern position at Carnegie Mellon's SEI, a solid understanding of AI/ML concepts is crucial. Proficiency in a programming language, especially Python, is highly valued. Familiarity with common AI/ML software packages and tools like PyTorch and TensorFlow is also important. The ability to analyze code and system architectures to identify vulnerabilities is a key skill.
- What kind of cybersecurity knowledge is expected for this internship?
- While a deep cybersecurity background isn't strictly required, a basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts is essential for the AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern role. You should be comfortable with fundamental cybersecurity principles and how they apply to software systems, particularly in the context of AI/ML vulnerabilities.
- Will I be working with specific AI/ML models or tools during this internship?
- Yes, as an AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern, you can expect to work with specific AI/ML software systems. The role involves analyzing these systems for vulnerabilities, understanding their implications, and recommending mitigations. Familiarity with tools like PyTorch and TensorFlow is beneficial, and you'll have the opportunity to learn about and analyze AI/ML tools used in malicious ways.
- What are the on-site expectations for the AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern at the SEI Pittsburgh office?
- The AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern position requires you to work on-site at the SEI Pittsburgh office, five days a week. This is a full-time, fixed-term internship during the summer. Eligibility to work in the United States without visa sponsorship and passing a background check are also requirements.
- How does this internship contribute to national security and defense?
- This internship directly contributes to national security by focusing on the AI security of the Defense Industrial Base and U.S. National Security Systems. Your work as an AI/ML Vulnerability Analysis Intern will help reduce societal harm from vulnerable information systems by analyzing AI/ML threats and vulnerabilities relevant to these critical sectors.