Senior Embedded Security Consultant - Cheltenham

IOActive, Inc.; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel opportunities

Competitive compensation

Job summary

IOActive, Inc. seeks an Embedded Device Security Consultant to join our Cheltenham security lab. You will perform high‑end security evaluations on embedded devices for global clients, bringing deep expertise in C, assembly, cryptography, and hardware hacking.

The role requires strong English communication and the ability to work with multinational teams. Travel opportunities are possible, and IOActive offers competitive compensation and a dynamic, startup‑like culture with a focus on

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of embedded security and attack methodologies.
• Experience evaluating embedded devices for multinational clients.
• Strong understanding of cryptography, authentication, and secure coding.

Responsibilities

• Investigate logical attack scenarios from code review and test results.
• Develop advanced attacks against embedded products.
• Create tools to support project goals.
• Communicate vulnerabilities to technical and non‑technical staff.
• Research new attack vectors and exploitation techniques.
• Promote IOActive Labs through blogs and papers.
• Assist business development by scoping engagements.

Skills

Threat modeling

JTAG debugging

C code review

Embedded OS drivers

Sandbox policy

Crypto reviews

Android/Java

ARM assembly

Git/GitHub

Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth

Firmware reverse engineering

Hardware hacking

Penetration testing

Security fundamentals

Tools

Lang/Protocols

Job description

OUR MISSION UNITES US

“Making the world a safer and more secure place.”

It’s our mission, plain and simple. It drives everything we do – from research to client work to community involvement. And it unifies our global team into an elite force with integrity, fierce passion, and relentless creativity that doesn’t just “push the envelope” or “think outside the box.” We shred the envelope, crush the box, and we have fun doing it. We are always looking for people who share our mission to join us.

This is not a Remote position. This position is expected to report for work at our security lab in Cheltenham, United Kingdom.

About IOActive

IOActive, a trusted partner for Global 1000 enterprises, provides research-fueled security services across all industries. Our cutting‑edge cybersecurity teams provide highly specialized technical and programmatic services including full‑stack penetration testing, program efficacy assessments, and hardware hacking. IOActive brings a unique attacker’s perspective to every engagement to maximize cybersecurity investments and improve the security posture and operational resiliency of our clients. Founded in 1998, IOActive is headquartered in Seattle with global operations, including state‑of‑the‑art hardware hacking labs in Seattle, WA, Madrid, Spain and Cheltenham, UK.

Who You Are

Embedded Device Security Consultants are responsible for performing high‑end security evaluations and research for our clients, focused on a range of embedded devices. In this role, you will work with other team members to deliver high‑quality results to IOActive’s clients throughout the world.

Our consultants maintain a high level of expertise regarding known threats and technical advances in embedded security. This position requires expert knowledge in areas such as C, Java, assembly languages, open platforms, and cryptography.

The Embedded Device Security Consultant will undertake advanced level security evaluation tasks and duties in order to meet customer requirements and project deadlines.

What You’ll Do

• Investigate possible logical attack scenarios by interpreting the code review findings, orienting the attack paths, and analyzing the test results
• Develop sophisticated, state‑of‑the‑art attacks that integrate the latest attack methods against embedded products
• Create tools to assist in project goals
• Communicate complex vulnerabilities to both technical and non‑technical client staff
• Perform research on new attack vectors, discover new vulnerabilities, create new exploitation techniques
• Evangelize IOActive Labs through blogs, white papers, presentations, etc.
• Support business development efforts through the scoping of engagements

What You Bring

Required Technical Skills

• Rapid identification of attack surfaces and entry points using implicit threat modeling techniques
• Ability to connect and use JTAG/on‑chip Debuggers
• Low‑level C code review
• FreeRTOS, Android, Linux kernel drivers, protocol parsing
• Sandbox policy review: SELinux/SE Android, seccomp, Linux name spaces, Minijail/Firejail
• Crypto implementation code reviews, specifically for secure boot and code signing
• Java, especially Android app side
• ARM 32‑ and 64‑bit assembly
• Extensive Git/GitHub experience
• Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth
• Reverse engineering, specifically firmware
• Hardware/embedded system hacking
• Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing
• Knowledge of security‑related topics, such as authentication, entitlements, identity management, data protection, data leakage prevention, validation checking, encryption, hashing, principle of least privilege, software attack methodologies, secure data transfer, secure data storage

Consulting Skills + Experience

• Ability to work independently under deadline
• Rigorous attention to detail and strong analytic skills
• Ability to write test plans based upon initial impressions and discussions with the team
• Comfortable navigating large codebases with minimal guidance
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Comfortable working as part of a multinational and multidisciplinary team
• Logical and structured approach to projects
• 3‑5 years or more of relevant work experience in a high‑paced, enterprise consulting environment

What We Offer

A chance to work with an industry leader in cyber security

Access to world‑class technical teams and research

A high‑energy, collaborative team that values innovation

Opportunities for travel

Competitive compensation and performance‑based incentives

Why IOActive

We have over 25 years of experience that is established and stable; yet high‑growth with the energy, passion and dynamic work environment of a startup. We are renowned for our innovation and thought leadership within our high‑profile, cutting‑edge space. We’re one of “the good guys” doing crazy cool stuff to threaten bad guys in a critically important business, social and political arena. Our work is great fun with great importance. Above all else, we value our people and our customers. Relationships matter.

IOActive is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. IOActive makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.