Employment Opportunities
The National Security Institute is a fast-growing center at Virginia Tech, and currently supports over 100 faculty, staff, and graduate students. Virginia Tech, which ranked in the top 30 of Forbes' America’s Best Employers for New Grads list and the third-highest ranked educational employer on the list, is committed to developing well-rounded employees who are active members of the university community as well as the community at-large. From comprehensive insurance plans to tuition assistance, Virginia Tech offers employees a variety of benefits and perks.
We are always looking for additional talent to support our programs as faculty, researchers, program managers, and administrative professionals. Opportunities exist both at the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, and at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, Virginia. We primarily seek US citizens and permanent residents to support our defense-funded research projects.
Open Positions at VTNSI
Research Faculty Open Rank SDD
The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VT NSI) is seeking multiple motivated and qualified individuals to join the Spectrum Dominance Division (SDD) as Research Faculty, supporting a rapidly expanding portfolio of cutting-edge research programs. This pooled position offers highly competitive salary and benefits in a dynamic university setting. We are recruiting applicants with expertise in one of three key areas: (1) digital communications, signal processing, software-defined radio (SDR), and machine learning applied to temporal data such as RF I/Q streams, audio, or video; (2) quantum information science and engineering, especially in quantum algorithm development for current or near-term quantum computing platforms; and (3) computational electromagnetics, including electromagnetic materials, propagation modeling, and materials testing. Successful candidates will contribute to sponsored research, author technical publications, support proposal development, and mentor students and junior researchers. Opportunities exist for career growth across technology areas, and candidates will be appointed at ranks ranging from Research Associate to Senior Research Scientist, with responsibilities expanding accordingly, including leading program development and serving as principal investigators. If you are interested in this position, please email your resume to nsihr@vt.edu.
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Redirect ItemResearch Associate/Senior Research Associate , redirect
Based in Blacksburg, Virginia, this research role is part of the Institute’s Mission Systems Division (MSD), an interdisciplinary team driving advancements in aerospace, ocean systems, AI/ML, and more. MSD develops cutting-edge technologies for satellites, UAVs, UUVs, and drone swarms, with a focus on hardware, algorithms, and sensor networks. The position supports research in digital communications, computational electromagnetics, and RF engineering. Responsibilities include conducting R&D, publishing technical papers, developing new programs, and mentoring junior researchers. Candidates must be U.S. citizens capable of obtaining a security clearance and have expertise in areas such as avionics, antenna design, RF systems, signal processing, and software-defined radios. Applicants seeking the rank of Research Associate must possess an advanced degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, or a related discipline. Significant professional experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree. For the rank of Senior Research Associate, a doctorate degree in one of these fields is preferred, though a master's degree with extensive professional experience may be accepted.
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Redirect ItemResearch Scientist/Senior Research Scientist , redirect
Based in Blacksburg, Virginia, this research and development role within the Mission Systems Division (MSD) tackles advanced technological challenges involving satellites, UAVs, UUVs, and drone swarms. MSD fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across aerospace, mechanical, computer, and systems engineering, as well as AI/ML. The position focuses on expertise in orbital mechanics, spacecraft systems engineering, modeling and simulation, or space mission analysis. Responsibilities include conducting R&D, publishing research, securing new programs, and mentoring junior researchers. Candidates must be U.S. citizens eligible for security clearance and have experience in areas such as orbital mechanics and perturbation analysis, satellite mission design, simulation and optimization techniques, data fusion, programming, or model-based system engineering.
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Redirect ItemResearch Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor and Research Professor , redirect
Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VT NSI) is seeking motivated and qualified applicants for non-tenure track faculty positions at the Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor levels. These roles support the Institute’s rapid growth across critical national security domains, including resilient C4ISR missions, Signals Intelligence & Cyber Operations, and Autonomy and Orchestration. Successful candidates will join the Hume Center’s Mission Systems, Information Systems, or Spectrum Dominance Divisions—each hosting cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research programs. Responsibilities include conducting sponsored research, authoring technical publications, supporting proposal development, mentoring students, advising graduate researchers, and occasional teaching. Candidates with expertise in digital communications, radar, AI/ML, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, or space platforms are especially encouraged to apply. Appointments will be based on experience and credentials, with a highly competitive salary and benefits package offered in a vibrant university setting. If you are interested in this position, please email your resume to nsihr@vt.edu.