Reverse Engineer

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in Canberra seeks a Senior Reverse Engineer to join a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team. You will perform holistic hardware and software teardowns, assess capabilities, and deliver projects with partners and providers.

You will apply innovative reverse engineering techniques, including AI-assisted methods, to advance vulnerability research and build critical capabilities.

Qualifications

• Hardware reverse engineering capabilities and embedded devices
• Software reverse engineering with static and dynamic analysis
• Experience in vulnerability research and related security testing
• Knowledge of operating system internals (Linux, iOS, Android, RTOS)
• Ability to develop and use AI-assisted tooling for reverse engineering

Responsibilities

• Undertake teardowns of hardware and related software.
• Deliver projects with partners and commercial providers.
• Integrate capabilities into standard frameworks and maintain relationships.
• Lead development of novel reverse engineering techniques for vulnerability research.
• Engage with industry and develop junior staff.

Skills

Hardware reverse engineering

Software reverse engineering

Vulnerability research

Penetration testing

Digital forensics

Network protocol analysis

RF knowledge (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)

OS internals (Linux, iOS, Android, RT0

Software development

AI for reverse engineering

Effective communication

Stakeholder relations

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in Software/Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Cyber Security

1-3 years for ITE2 or 4-6 years for SITEC experience

GIAC/OSCP or similar qualifications desirable

Experience in intelligence/military/law enforcement (desirable)

Job description

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation – Canberra ACT

The Organisation

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. ASIO’s people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset. To be successful, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient.

We seek to reflect the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. We are culturally and linguistically diverse, language skills enhance our collective ability to protect Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value.

At a time when Australia’s security environment is dynamic, diverse and degrading, our work is more important than ever. Join the mission and make a difference every day.

The Opportunity

ASIO builds novel technical solutions to solve complex technical challenges. Our solutions ensure we have the platforms, tools and capabilities available to keep Australia safe. We are seeking talented technologists with experience in hardware and software reverse engineering to build our next generation of capability.

This work is dynamic, with staff working across multiple hardware and software platforms and frameworks.

In this role, you will need to be able to solve problems while working in a multi-disciplined team environment. You will work closely with partners and commercial providers to ensure a shared understanding of capability through a continuous feedback cycle.

ASIO looks for candidates who are curious, resilient and enjoy problem solving. To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate curiosity and innovation to build novel solutions, be willing to continuously grow, and refine your skills to keep up with the pace of technical change.

A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies which have the same or similar requirements to this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.

The key duties of the position include:

Responsibilities

As a Reverse Engineer in ASIO, you will:

• Undertake holistic assessments and teardowns of hardware and associated software.
• Assist in delivery of projects in conjunction with partners and commercial providers.
• Integrate capabilities into standard frameworks.
• Assist in building and maintaining highly effective relationships with partners and commercial providers.
• Work in a team environment ensuring a shared understanding of capability and current work status with co-workers.

As a Senior Reverse Engineer at the SITEC level, in addition to the above you will:

• Lead the development and application of novel reverse engineering techniques to inform vulnerability research approaches. This includes opportunities to integrate approved and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Lead selected strategic industry outreach programs ensuring a shared understanding of ASIO’s needs.
• Develop and upskill junior team members.

Eligibility

What you will bring

We are seeking candidates with one or more of the following capabilities:

• Hardware reverse engineering skills and/or experience in developing embedded devices.
• Software reverse engineering skills, including both static and dynamic analysis.
• Experience in vulnerability research, penetration testing and digital forensics.
• Experience in network protocol analysis particularly at the application layer as well as identifying custom protocols. Knowledge of RF including Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth as well as other related ISM protocols.
• Knowledge of operating system internals (Linux, iOS, Android and RTOS).
• Experience in software development including the ability to interpret software code and improve processes and capabilities.
• Knowledge of how AI technology can be used to augment reverse engineering work and the expertise to develop and utilise custom harnesses to enable this.
• Effective communication skills including the ability to present technical information in a clear, concise and articulate manner.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships with key stakeholders.

In addition to the above, as a Senior Reverse Engineer at the SITE C level, you will bring the following capabilities:

• Experience in training and developing junior staff.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with partners and support industry outreach programs.
• Ability to undertake project reviews to identify improvements and shape the strategic direction of future projects.

You are not required to address each capability separately in your application. Consider providing examples that illustrate multiple capabilities at once.

Refer to ASIO’s Core Capability Framework to understand what is expected at each level for each capability.

Skills and qualifications

Candidates are required to have the following qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualification such as Software/Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Cyber Security or similar.
• In lieu of a formal tertiary qualification, be able to demonstrate relevant experience within a technical specialist role: A minimum of 1-3 years’ experience for the ITE2 role and 4-6 years for the SITEC role.
• The following qualifications are desirable, but are not required:
• Relevant industry qualifications such as GIAC, OSCP or similar.
• 1-3 relevant years of experience within intelligence, military or law enforcement.

Eligibility

To be eligible to work at ASIO, you must be:

• an Australian citizen
• assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) security clearance.

Reasonable adjustments

Please let us know if you require any additional assistance or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace. This may include reasonable adjustments to assessment methodologies to enable full participation.

Notes

What we offer you

ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:

• A competitive salary, including a 7.5% allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) security clearance.
• Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%.
• A variety of leave options in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave, including stand down between Christmas and New Year.
• Flexible working arrangements. Please note due to our unique working environment, work from home options are not available.
• Study assistance, including financial support and study leave for tertiary education.
• Access to 7 staff-led diversity and inclusion networks.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Location

Canberra, ACT. Other locations may be considered according to the needs of the Organisation.

Relocation assistance is available if required.

We advertise positions nationally to reach the broadest audience. Please refer to the above location before applying.

Use of artificial intelligence in recruitment processes

ASIO does not use any form of artificial intelligence (AI) at any point in the recruitment process.

All applications are reviewed by a selection panel. We recognise some applicants may use AI technologies to draft applications or prepare for interviews. If you wish to use AI, we recommend doing this only for initial drafts and ensure that your application is personalised and accurately reflects your skills, experience and qualifications.

Additionally, be aware of the privacy policies of any AI tool you use. Be mindful of the information you are entering into AI tools (personal details, work history, etc) and how using it may link you to potential ASIO employment, noting that you are expected to be discrete and maintain confidentiality with your application.

If you are invited to attend interview, the use of AI tools and recording devices during interview is strictly prohibited. Should AI tools or recording services be detected, your application, and any future applications may be discontinued.

The recruitment selection process

Our selection process is rigorous and extensive. All employment decisions and selection processes at ASIO are based on merit principles and candidates must be prepared to undergo various selection stages. The stages may include application assessment, eligibility checks, online testing, skills-based assessment and interview.

We ask all applicants for their patience throughout the process.

Australian Workplace Equality Index

Employment is under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979. Conditions of service are similar to those applying in the Australian Public Service. We recognise entitlements accrued under the Public Service Act 1999 and provide for continuation of superannuation under the Commonwealth schemes. Salary packaging arrangements are also available.

Australian Workplace Equality Index

ASIO has achieved the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold Standard in 2024, 2025 and 2026, recognising ASIO’s inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was the first Australian intelligence agency to achieve this status.

For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.