Application Guide

How to Apply for AI Security / Biosecurity Engineer, Center on AI, Security, and Technology

at RAND Corporation

🏢 About RAND Corporation

The RAND Corporation is a unique nonpartisan research organization that directly influences national security policy through rigorous analysis. Unlike typical tech companies, RAND operates at the intersection of research, policy, and technology, offering the opportunity to see your technical work translate into real-world impact on critical security challenges. Working here means contributing to mission-driven research that shapes government decisions on emerging threats.

About This Role

This role involves developing and securing AI and biosecurity systems specifically for national security applications, requiring you to build robust systems with complete ownership of sensitive data infrastructure. You'll be addressing emerging threats in high-stakes environments where security failures could have significant consequences. The impact comes from directly contributing to RAND's mission of improving policy and decision-making through technical solutions to complex security challenges.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve designing secure architectures for AI systems addressing specific biosecurity threats, collaborating with policy researchers to understand requirements, and implementing cloud-based monitoring for sensitive data pipelines. You'd balance hands-on technical work with documentation and communication to ensure your solutions align with RAND's research objectives and security standards.

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🎯 Who RAND Corporation Is Looking For

  • Has hands-on experience securing AI systems (not just developing them) and understands biosecurity applications in national security contexts
  • Demonstrates experience with end-to-end ownership of sensitive data infrastructure in regulated or high-security environments
  • Can articulate how they've implemented security-first approaches in complex system design, particularly in cloud environments
  • Shows evidence of translating technical concepts to diverse stakeholders, likely through policy briefs, research papers, or cross-functional collaboration

📝 Tips for Applying to RAND Corporation

1

Highlight specific projects where you secured AI systems or biosecurity applications, emphasizing the national security or policy implications

2

Demonstrate your understanding of RAND's research-to-pipeline approach by connecting your technical experience to policy impact

3

Showcase experience with sensitive data handling in regulated environments (government, healthcare, defense) rather than just commercial data

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize autonomous ownership of critical infrastructure rather than just team contributions

5

Reference RAND's specific research areas in AI security or biosecurity to show you've done your homework on their current work

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Connect your experience directly to national security applications of AI/biosecurity, not just general tech security', "Demonstrate understanding of RAND's unique position as a policy-influencing research organization", 'Provide concrete examples of end-to-end ownership of sensitive systems in high-stakes environments', 'Show how your communication skills have bridged technical and policy audiences in previous roles']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → RAND's recent publications on AI security and biosecurity (check their research reports)
  • → The Center on AI, Security, and Technology's specific projects and focus areas
  • → RAND's government clients and how their research influences policy
  • → Current national security challenges related to AI and biotechnology that RAND addresses
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Scenario-based questions about securing AI systems against specific national security threats
2 Deep dive into your experience with sensitive data infrastructure and compliance requirements
3 Discussion of how you'd approach a research-to-implementation project at RAND
4 Questions about modern cloud security practices in government or high-security contexts
5 Case study on communicating technical security concepts to non-technical policy makers
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on commercial AI/security experience without connecting to national security or policy contexts
  • Treating this as a generic cloud security role rather than a research-informed engineering position
  • Failing to demonstrate experience with the unique compliance and sensitivity requirements of government or defense-related work

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

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Good luck with your application to RAND Corporation!

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