Cleared Vulnerability Research Engineer

Job Summary

This role is focused on end-to-end exploit development for real-world targets. The specialist will design, develop, and validate novel vulnerability discovery and exploitation capabilities against complex software and systems. Work is conducted at the operating system, binary, and micro-architectural levels, with a strong emphasis on creating new technical capabilities. Success in this position requires the ability to independently translate an under-defined mission objective into a concrete, technically novel capability and the comfort of operating with minimal supervision, incomplete problem definitions, and delayed feedback.

Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Design, develop, and validate novel vulnerability discovery and exploitation capabilities.
• Conduct expert reverse engineering of binaries (x86-64, ARM64, etc.) using industry-standard tools.
• Identify and exploit real-world vulnerabilities such as Use-after-free, Type confusion, Integer truncation, and Buffer overflow.
• Demonstrate ability to discover new, novel vulnerabilities in complex systems.
• Rapidly understand current vulnerability research and apply findings to identify new instances of vulnerability classes.
• Employ both manual analysis and automated techniques (e.g., fuzzing) for vulnerability discovery.
• Code and debug complex functions in C, Python, and Assembly (x86-64, ARM, etc.).
• Independently manage and execute research objectives, including scoping, research, experimentation, validation, and iteration.
• Travel to customer sites as required.
• Perform on-site for extended periods of time.

Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exploit Development:
  • Expertise in reverse engineering of binaries (x86-64, ARM64, etc) using tools such as Binary Ninja, Ghidra, or IDA Pro.
  • Precise understanding of stack and heap objects and exploit-relevant vulnerabilities (e.g., Use-after-free, Type confusion, Integer truncation, Buffer overflow).
• Vulnerability Discovery:
  • Demonstrated ability to discover new vulnerabilities, not just exploit known ones.
  • Experience with both manual analysis and automated techniques (e.g., fuzzing).
• Languages:
  • Ability to code and debug C, Python, and Assembly (x86-64, ARM, etc).
• Research Ownership & Autonomy:
  • Ability to independently translate an under defined mission objective into a concrete, technically novel capability.
  • Comfort operating with minimal supervision.
• Clearance & Logistics:
  • TS/SCI clearance required (inactive SCI acceptable if SCI-clearable).
  • Ability to travel to customer sites as required.