Lead Vulnerability Researcher

Two Six Technologies
Arlington, VA
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have hands-on experience in firmware reverse engineering and leadership in technical teams.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with proven leadership in vulnerability research and firmware analysis experience
    — “Proven capability in leading technical task execution”
  • Individuals who have developed maintainable proof-of-concept exploits using C/C++ and Python
    — “Develop maintainable proof-of-concept exploits for discovered vulnerabilities”
  • Professionals with a background in wireless protocol analysis and embedded systems research
    — “Applied domain expertise in wireless protocol/RF signal analysis”

Things to consider

  • Top Secret clearance is mandatory, which may require additional time and effort to obtain
    — “Active U.S. Security Clearance at the Top Secret level”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience with leading teams and managing complex reverse engineering projects
    — “Lead the technical planning, task prioritization, and schedule management”
  • Demonstrate your ability to create custom binary analysis tools and exploit frameworks
    — “creating and refining custom binary analysis and disassembly tools”
  • Showcase your background in wireless and embedded systems with specific examples of analysis performed
    — “Reverse engineer wireless and embedded communications systems”
  • Emphasize your experience with Python and C/C++ in exploit development and firmware analysis
    — “Extensive experience with programming/scripting languages in C/C++, Python”
  • Include details about your work with firmware rehosting and emulation tools like QEMU
    — “firmware rehosting/emulation (QEMU)”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Leading technical planning and task execution
  • Developing maintainable proof-of-concept exploits
  • Creating and refining custom binary analysis and disassembly tools
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical EngineeringExtensive experience in software/firmware reverse engineering and vulnerability research

Skills & requirements

Required

C/c++PythonLinuxIDA ProBinary NinjaGhidraDevOps

Preferred

Binary Ninja APIGhidra Plugin FrameworkRTOSLinux EnvironmentsCryptographic SecuritySecure Boot MechanismsSide-channel AnalysisDefeating Modern Exploit Mitigations

Stack & domain

PythonC/c++LinuxIDA ProBinary NinjaGhidraLeadershipTechnical DirectionTask-level MentorshipCybersecurityReverse EngineeringVulnerability Research

About the role

Original posting from Two Six Technologies via Greenhouse

At Two Six Technologies, we build, deploy, and implement innovative products that solve the world’s most complex challenges today. Through unrivaled collaboration and unwavering trust, we push the boundaries of what’s possible to empower our team and support our customers in building a safer global future.

Overview Opportunity

Two Six Technologies is actively seeking a Lead Vulnerability Researcher to join our Communication Systems team in Arlington, Virginia. The team is composed of intellectual individuals, passionate about software and firmware reverse engineering to uncover vulnerabilities in wireless and embedded communications systems. The team is growing and looking for someone with a cybersecurity research background who has an understanding on how to lead task execution, discover security weaknesses, and develop innovative proof-of-concept exploits on complex, real-world targets. If you are actively using IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, Ghidra, Python, and C/C++, the team wants to talk to you!

What You Will Do

Lead the technical planning, task prioritization, and schedule management for a group of reverse engineering and vulnerability research assignments supporting mission-critical government programs.

Reverse engineer wireless and embedded communications systems to identify security weaknesses, assess their operational impact, and analyze firmware, software protections, and network protocols.

Develop maintainable proof-of-concept exploits for discovered vulnerabilities following DevOps best practices, while creating and refining custom binary analysis and disassembly tools.

Work autonomously with latitude for independent judgment, providing technical direction, guidance, and task-level mentorship to CNO developers and team members in a fast-paced environment.

Support business development and program growth by contributing ideas, technical solutions, and content to proposal development efforts.

What You Will Need (Basic Qualifications)

Bachelor’s (or higher) degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Extensive experience with programming/scripting languages in C/C++, Python, and Linux command-line environments, with a demonstrated track record of providing thorough solutions to a wide range of difficult technical problems.

Proven capability in leading technical task execution, managing schedule priorities, and providing technical direction and guidance to team members.

Extensive hands-on experience in software/firmware reverse engineering and vulnerability research using industry tools such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra.

Applied domain expertise in one or more core areas: firmware analysis (ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, RTOS), firmware rehosting/emulation (QEMU), fuzzing and exploit development, binary obfuscation/anti-analysis techniques, wireless protocol/RF signal analysis, or fault injection frameworks.

Nice to Have (Preferred)

Experience contributing technical content, solutions, and ideas to proposal and business development efforts.

Experience scripting with the Binary Ninja API or Ghidra plugin framework, and embedded software development in C/C++ for RTOS or Linux environments.

In-depth knowledge of cryptographic security, secure boot mechanisms, side-channel analysis, and defeating modern exploit mitigations (ASLR, DEP, Stack Canaries).

Hands-on experience working with hardware debugging tools (JTAG/SWD), software-defined radio (SDR) frameworks, digital signal processing, or client-facing technical demonstrations.

Clearance Requirement

Active U.S. Security Clearance at the Top Secret level with the ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI.

#LI-AM1

#LI-ONSITE

Two Six Technologies is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive compensation packages that reflect the value we place on our employees and their contributions. We believe in rewarding skills, experience, and performance. Our offerings include but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance and professional development.

The projected salary range listed for this position is annualized. This is a general guideline and not a guarantee of salary. Salary is one component of our total compensation package and the specific salary offered is determined by various factors, including, but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, geographic location, as well as contract specific affordability and organizational requirements.

Salary Range$154,257—$231,386 USD

Looking for other great opportunities? Check out Two Six Technologies Opportunities for all our Company’s current openings! 

Ready to make the first move towards growing your career? If so, check out the Two Six Technologies Candidate Journey!  This will give you step-by-step directions on applying, what to expect during the application process, information about our rich benefits and perks along with our most frequently asked questions.  If you are undecided and would like to learn more about us and how we are contributing to essential missions, check out our  Two Six Technologies News  page!  We share information about the tech world around us and how we are making an impact!  Still have questions, no worries!  You can reach us at Contact Two Six Technologies. We are happy to connect and cover the information needed to assist you in reaching your next career milestone.

Two Six Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type and protective hair styles (e.g., braids, twists, locs and twists)), color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and over), marital status, disability, genetic information, and protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information review the Two Six Technologies Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy and the EEO Poster. 

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request reasonable workplace accommodation for any part of our employment process, please send an email to accommodations@twosixtech.com. Information provided will be kept confidential and used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Additionally, please be advised that this business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices.

By submitting the following application, I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, the information provided is true and accurate.

Source: Two Six Technologies careers (Greenhouse)

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