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Principal Security ML Research Engineer
elasticUnited StatesJuly 29, 2026
Skills
cybersecuritydeep-learningelasticsearchllmmachine-learningproduct-managementpytorchscikit-learnscrumtensorflow
Job Description
<div class="content-intro"><p>Elastic, the Search AI Company, enables everyone to find the answers they need in real time, using all their data, at scale — unleashing the potential of businesses and people. The Elastic Search AI Platform, used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500, brings together the precision of search and the intelligence of AI to enable everyone to accelerate the results that matter. By taking advantage of all structured and unstructured data — securing and protecting private information more effectively — Elastic’s complete, cloud-based solutions for search, security, and observability help organizations deliver on the promise of AI.</p></div><h3><strong>What is The Role</strong></h3>
<div class="p" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="45fji-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="45fji-0-0"><span data-offset-key="45fji-0-0"><span data-text="true">As a Principal Security ML Research Engineer on the Threat Research and Detection Engineering team, you'll play a key role in enhancing the Elastic Security threat protections by developing advanced AI and machine learning solutions. In this position, you will address real-world cyber threats. You will use innovative ML detection techniques and effective workflows. You will also work with a diverse team that focuses on research and community involvement. If you’re a skilled professional ready to shape the future of security analytics, this role invites you to make a tangible impact in the field.</span></span></div>
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<h3 class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="35rfq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="35rfq-0-0"><span data-text="true">What You Will Be Doing</span></span></h3>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-reset public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="ajunn-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ajunn-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ajunn-0-0"><span data-text="true">Design innovative ML architectures that enhance threat detection and response capabilities. Prototype advanced AI agent workflows to streamline incident investigation processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project specifications and ensure models are optimized for real-world performance and accuracy.</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="4uuat-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4uuat-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4uuat-0-0"><span data-text="true">Develop machine learning models aimed at detecting behavioral anomalies in security telemetry. Create techniques for profiling threat actors to better understand and predict their behaviors. Collaborate with stakeholders to refine security use cases, ensuring the applicability of ML models.</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="170pc-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="170pc-0-0"><span data-offset-key="170pc-0-0"><span data-text="true">Build evaluation frameworks to assess ML model performance metrics while developing benchmarking pipelines to test for accuracy and latency. Implement guardrails that minimize false-positive rates in detection systems. Measure the endurance of models against adversarial attacks and prompt injections, and conduct regular audits of model robustness to report findings to stakeholders.</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="4jfni-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4jfni-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4jfni-0-0"><span data-text="true">Mentor senior engineers in machine learning best practices and security methodologies to elevate the team's expertise. Collaborate closely with Product Management to ensure that security research aligns with product roadmaps. Foster well-developed relationships with engineering teams to guarantee the seamless implementation of machine learning solutions.</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="3p92b-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3p92b-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3p92b-0-0"><span data-text="true">Produce technical blogs that showcase your innovative findings in security machine learning. Author white papers that tackle emerging threats and detection strategies. Present insights at industry conferences to share advancements in security ML, and engage with the security research community to promote collaboration and information sharing.</span></span></div>
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<h3 class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e6idm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e6idm-0-0"><span data-text="true">What You Bring</span></span></h3>
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<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5r4tj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5r4tj-0-0"><span data-text="true">Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or 5+ years designing and implementing security machine learning models</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="1l9ml-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1l9ml-0-0"><span id="popover-trigger-:rq:" class="chakra-text css-bcri66"><span data-offset-key="1l9ml-0-0"><span data-text="true">Experience with vector search technology for data retrieval, Retrieval-Augmented Generation techniques, working knowledge of deep learning, clustering, and graph algorithms, and experience training models using scikit-learn, xgboost, PyTorch/Tensorflow</span></span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="f9epd-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="f9epd-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f9epd-0-0"><span data-text="true">Knowledge of behavioral anomaly detection in security telemetry and expertise in profiling threat actor behaviors using machine learning</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="bg5su-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bg5su-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bg5su-0-0"><span data-text="true">Ability to develop evaluation frameworks for ML model performance metrics and experience with benchmarking pipelines for testing accuracy and latency</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="bk89h-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bk89h-0-0"><span id="popover-trigger-:rs:" class="chakra-text css-bcri66"><span data-offset-key="bk89h-0-0"><span data-text="true">Experience developing industry-leading scalable machine learning models that significantly improved threat detection while ensuring minimal false-positive rates</span></span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="1k8ti-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1k8ti-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1k8ti-0-0"><span data-text="true">Published research in reputable security and machine learning journals or presented findings at major security conferences and workshops</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="51epd-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="51epd-0-0"><span data-offset-key="51epd-0-0"><span data-text="true">Proficiency in modern AI/ML frameworks and hands-on experience integrating LLM APIs into production applications</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="fb5s9-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fb5s9-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fb5s9-0-0"><span data-text="true">You possess the ability to comfortably rotate across projects, collaborate across functions and teams, and seamlessly adapt to evolving team structures.</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="ctjko-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ctjko-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ctjko-0-0"><span data-text="true">Proven ability to seamlessly transition between different projects, codebases, or scrum teams based on dynamic business priorities.</span></span></div>
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<li class="public-DraftStyleDefault-unorderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-listLTR" data-block="true" data-editor="8ivk" data-offset-key="1c96a-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1c96a-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1c96a-0-0"><span data-text="true">You work autonomously and can drive decisions and results in a distributed team by leveraging asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication.</span></span></div>
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</ul><div class="content-conclusion"><h2><strong>Additional Information - We Take Care of Our People</strong></h2>
<p>As a distributed company, diversity drives our identity. Whether you’re looking to launch a new career or grow an existing one, Elastic is the type of company where you can balance great work with great life. Your age is only a number. It doesn’t matter if you’re just out of college or your children are; we need you for what you can do.</p>
<p>We strive to have parity of benefits across regions and while regulations differ from place to place, we believe taking care of our people is the right thing to do.</p>
<ul>
<li>Competitive pay based on the work you do here and not your previous salary</li>
<li>Health coverage for you and your family in many locations</li>
<li>Ability to craft your calendar with flexible locations and schedules for many roles</li>
<li>Generous number of vacation days each year</li>
<li>Increase your impact - We match up to $2000 (or local currency equivalent) for financial donations and service</li>
<li>Up to 40 hours each year to use toward volunteer projects you love</li>
<li>Embracing parenthood with minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave</li>
</ul>
<p>Different people approach problems differently. We need that. Elastic is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation.</p>
<p>We welcome individuals with disabilities and strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all individuals. To request an accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email <a href="mailto:candidate_accessibility@elastic.co" target="_blank">candidate_accessibility@elastic.co</a><span class="gmail_default">.</span> We will reply to your request within 24 business hours of submission.</p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws, view posters linked below:</span> <a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf" target="_blank">Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)</a> <span style="color: #000000;">Poster;</span><span style="color: #000000;"> <a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf" target="_blank">Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision</a> Poster; </span><a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppabw.pdf" target="_blank">Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)</a> <span style="color: #000000;">Poster and <a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights.pdf" target="_blank">Know Your Rights</a> (Poster)</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Elasticsearch develops and distributes technology and information that is subject to U.S. and other countries’ export controls and licensing requirements for individuals who are located in or are nationals of the following sanctioned countries and regions: Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Russia, including the Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia (The Crimea region of Ukraine, The Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), The Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), Kherson or Zaporizhzhia). If you are located in or are a national of one of the listed countries or regions, an export license may be required as a condition of your employment in this role. Please note that national origin and/or nationality do not affect eligibility for employment with Elastic.</span></p>
<p>Please see <a href="https://www.elastic.co/legal/applicant-privacy-statement" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.elastic.co/legal/applicant-privacy-statement&source=gmail&ust=1611068262479000&usg=AFQjCNG3orAPk5sJIr9WVm0ZDxYw82c5DA">here</a> for our Privacy Statement.</p></div>
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