Senior Cyber Vulnerability Researcher – On-Site Lead

Dstl; England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Dstl is seeking a Senior Cyber Vulnerability Researcher to join a specialist team delivering world-class vulnerability research, reverse engineering and technical analysis in support of national security and defence outcomes.

You will apply advanced technical skills to analyse software, firmware and embedded systems, identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risks and providing expert advice that informs critical decision-making.

Qualifications

• Reverse engineering and vulnerability research across software, hardware and embedded systems.
• Apply static and dynamic analysis techniques to understand system functionality and identify vulnerabilities.
• Investigate emerging technologies, products and capabilities to understand technical risks, opportunities and mitigations.
• Provide authoritative technical advice and evidence-based assessments to customers and stakeholders.
• Develop and enhance tools, techniques and methodologies to improve vulnerability research capability and efficiency.
• Lead technical work packages and coordinate complex research activities, ensuring outputs meet standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct software reverse engineering, vulnerability research and technical assessments across software, hardware and embedded systems.
• Apply static and dynamic analysis techniques to understand system functionality and identify vulnerabilities.
• Investigate emerging technologies, products and capabilities to understand technical risks, opportunities and potential mitigations.
• Provide authoritative technical advice and evidence-based assessments to customers and stakeholders.
• Develop and enhance tools, techniques and methodologies to improve vulnerability research capability and efficiency.
• Lead technical work packages and coordinate complex research activities, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered to agreed standards and timescales.
• Produce clear technical reports, briefings and documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and partner organisations to solve complex technical challenges.
• Mentor and support the development of less experienced engineers and researchers, helping to build organisational capability.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Assembly language (ARM/x86)

Static & dynamic analysis

Vulnerability identification

Robust technical assessments

Team leadership

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

STEM degree (electronic engineering, embedded systems, computer science, physics, mathematics)

Tools

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Job description

Dstl is seeking a Senior Cyber Vulnerability Researcher to join a specialist team delivering world-class vulnerability research, reverse engineering and technical analysis in support of national security and defence outcomes.

You will apply advanced technical skills to analyse software, firmware and embedded systems, identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risks and providing expert advice that informs critical decision-making.