ACTION Institute Software Engineer (Santa Barbara)

About This Job

ACTION Institute Software Engineer Computer Science

Summary of Job Details

The ACTION Institute is a recently established NSF AI Institute spearheaded by the Computer Science Department at UC Santa Barbara, in collaboration with eleven other U.S. universities such as Purdue University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and UC Berkeley. Under the leadership of Professor Giovanni Vigna, ACTION operates at the convergence of artificial intelligence and computer security, focusing on the creation of tools and methodologies for designing, constructing, and verifying secure and reliable software systems. The institute organizes the yearly iCTF, a cybersecurity competition that attracts hundreds of Capture the Flag teams globally. With over twenty faculty members, more than forty graduate students, and a multi-campus computational framework, the ACTION Institute constitutes a sophisticated organization.

The Software Engineer will be tasked with designing and implementing a testbed infrastructure to facilitate the institute\'s diverse research initiatives, along with providing a wide array of support services for ACTION personnel. Principal responsibilities include: 1) Developing and architecting a globally accessible testing environment; and 2) Assisting in the maintenance, development, and customization of various research projects across the institute, which involves creating, testing, and documenting software. This role is crucial to the success of the institute\'s ongoing research. The engineer will analyze and resolve a wide range of complex issues, determining effective solutions under time-sensitive conditions. Guided by laboratory faculty, the individual will contribute to setting technical infrastructure goals and priorities, defining tasks to align with current research objectives. Additional duties involve identifying and procuring necessary hardware and software for the institute, operating within an allocated budget. The position may also include supporting selected computer security exercises.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor\'s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Hands-on experience with cloud computing platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud.
• Proficiency with Kubernetes.
• Experience in Linux server administration.
• Familiarity with configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.
• Experience with Git, Jenkins, and other continuous integration systems.
• Substantial experience in identifying and utilizing code libraries and open-source resources.
• Understanding of secure software development practices.
• Advanced capabilities in software design, modification, implementation, and deployment, including object-oriented programming principles.
• Ability to comprehend the requirements of a research group and assess how existing computing infrastructure can meet those needs.
• Proven skill in developing system implementation and conversion plans, as well as establishing feedback mechanisms.
• Proficiency in common programming languages and tools, including Python, C/C++, Java, Javascript, and SQL.
• Competence in writing scripts to automate routine tasks.
• Demonstrated experience with software repositories.
• Demonstrated skills in software testing and test planning.
• Ability to convey technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical staff at various organizational levels.
• Self-motivated, with the capacity to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Effective learning skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Special Conditions of Employment

This is a Career position with a fixed end date contingent on funding. The role is supported by an extramural research grant anticipated to conclude in April 2026, though there is potential for extension through April 2028 and possibly beyond. Evening and weekend work may be required based on institute needs. A satisfactory criminal history background check is mandatory. UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment.

Days/Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Application review begins: 11/21/25

Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu

Job #82341