Hiring nowDefence and national security AI assurance

National Security AI Analyst

Also called AI Security Policy Analyst

A National Security AI Analyst assesses AI capability and risk evidence for authorised security needs. They give the company clear, defensible judgements about what a system can do, while keeping sensitive sources protected.

What they do

The analyst gathers and tests evidence on what AI systems can and cannot do, and where they could cause harm. They read evaluation results, run authorised simulations and use secure analytics to check claims against data. They separate what is known from what is inferred. They write assessments for technical and non-technical readers, state their confidence and say what would change their view. They work with security engineers, evaluators and policy colleagues, and they handle sensitive material under the rules that apply to it.

What a strong hire delivers

In the first months, a strong hire produces a first assessment that decision makers can act on, with sources, assumptions and uncertainty stated plainly. They set up a repeatable way to judge evidence quality. They build working links with engineering, assurance and policy teams. They also put clear handling habits in place so sensitive sources stay protected throughout the work.

How you can tell they are good

Ask them to walk through an assessment they wrote, with sensitive details removed. Listen for how they weighed weak evidence, how they stated uncertainty and what they left out on purpose. Ask how they would test a surprising capability claim. Worry if they sound certain about everything, cannot explain their sources, or treat handling rules as someone else's job.

Why it is hard to fill

The mix is unusual. Companies need security analysis, technical understanding of AI and discipline with sensitive material, and few people hold all three. Titles vary widely, so searching by title misses good people. Many candidates are strong on policy but thin on technical evidence, or the reverse. Clearance and eligibility requirements narrow the pool further, and the best people are often settled in their current roles.

Where to find them

Look at defence systems engineers, security and intelligence analysts, simulation and modelling specialists, and safety assurance practitioners. Many sit in defence contractors, government-adjacent technical teams, research groups and security consultancies. Some come from AI evaluation or red teaming teams at model providers. Policy analysts with real technical grounding are another source, especially those who have worked on risk frameworks.

Indicative pay

Not enough published evidence yet to give a fair range for this role, which is common for work this new. We benchmark it for you as part of a search.

Interview questions for a National Security AI Analyst

  1. Describe an assessment you wrote where the evidence was incomplete. How did you present it?

    A strong answer shows clear separation of fact and inference, stated confidence and named gaps. They explain how the reader used it. Worry if they claim certainty, hide weak sources or cannot say what would change their conclusion.

  2. How do you judge the quality of evidence about an AI system's capabilities?

    Look for attention to source reliability, test design, repeatability and relevance to the real need. Good candidates ask what was measured and how. Worry if they trust vendor claims or headline benchmark scores without scrutiny.

4 more questions, with what a strong answer covers, are in the Role Kit.

Job description you can post

We are hiring a National Security AI Analyst to assess AI capability and risk evidence for authorised security needs. You will turn technical findings into clear, honest assessments that decision makers can rely on, while protecting sensitive sources and following the rules that govern our work.

What you will do

  • Analyse evidence on AI system capabilities and risks for authorised security needs
  • Write technical and intelligence assessments that state confidence and uncertainty
  • Run and review authorised simulations and secure analytics
  • Work with security engineers, evaluators and policy colleagues
  • Judge the quality and relevance of evidence from internal and external sources
  • Handle sensitive material and sources according to the applicable rules

What you will bring

  • Demonstrated security analysis or technical assessment work
  • Experience evaluating models or AI systems, or comparable assurance work
  • Clear writing that separates fact, inference and judgement
  • Experience handling sensitive information responsibly
  • Working knowledge of security engineering and AI risk management
  • Ability to explain technical findings to non-technical readers

Nice to have

  • Experience with simulation or digital twins
  • Background in defence systems or safety assurance
  • Existing eligibility for security clearance

Free to use and adapt. If it saves you time, a link back to this page is appreciated.

Skills that matter

  • AI risk managementAdvancedIdentify, assess, treat and monitor AI risks
  • Model evaluationAdvancedMeasure capability and failure modes credibly
  • Security engineeringWorkingProtect systems, identities and sensitive assets
  • Simulation and digital twinsWorkingBuild useful virtual representations of environments

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How we wrote this

Role definitions are our own editorial work, checked against occupational classifications, standards, research and employer pages. Titles vary by company, and this is a description of the work, not a job advert.

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