Embedded Reverse Engineer/Vulnerability Researcher (Early Career)

Battelle; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid-60/40 in-office/remote

Compressed work schedule

Paid time off

Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Battelle is seeking an Early Career Embedded Systems Reverse Engineer/ Vulnerability Researcher to work in Columbus, OH. You will reverse engineer embedded hardware, analyze firmware, and identify vulnerabilities as part of a collaborative cyber research team.

Ideal candidates have 0–2 years of related experience (or a Master’s degree) in CS/CE/EE, with skills in C/C++/Rust, scripting languages, and tools like Ghidra/IDA Pro. A DoD clearance or eligibility is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 0–2 years experience or Master’s degree in a related field.
• Familiarity with digital and analog components used in embedded devices.
• Experience coding in C/C++/Rust and scripting languages.
• Experience with reverse engineering tools like Ghidra, IDA Pro, BinaryNinja.
• Basic debugging techniques and tools such as GDB and JTAG/SWD.
• Familiarity with hardware registers, peripherals, memory maps and datasheets.
• Ability to work in a small team and learn new tech quickly.
• Strong curiosity about internal system operation and US DoD eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Reverse engineer embedded hardware to understand operation and vulnerabilities.
• Develop tools and support workflows for cyber research.
• Collaborate with researchers to solve complex problems.
• contribute to government and industrial cybersecurity projects.

Skills

Digital/Analog basics

C/C++/Rust

Scripting languages

Reverse engineering tools

Debugging techniques

Hardware registers & interfaces

Team collaboration

Curiosity about systems

US citizenship & DoD clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/EE or related

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Ghidra

IDA Pro

BinaryNinja

GDB

JTAG

SWD

Job description

About Battelle

Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Summary

Do you have a passion for understanding how things work, and ultimately, how they break? Do you enjoy working close to the hardware and understanding how embedded systems actually operate? Are you curious about how firmware works all the way down to the silicon? Do you enjoy working with a team to discover vulnerabilities in increasingly complex devices? Battelle’s Misson Focused Tools group is currently seeking Early Career Embedded Systems Reverse Engineer/Vulnerability Researchers to support our Cyber research team in our Columbus, OH office location.

Responsibilities

As an Early Career Embedded Systems RE/VR, you will work hands-on with hardware to reverse engineer embedded systems and understand how they operate. In a given day you will work with a close-knit team of researchers to solve complex problems and achieve real world effects. Your role will focus on hardware hacking, extracting and reverse engineering firmware, identifying vulnerabilities, developing tools, and supporting research workflows that help our teams better understand embedded devices.

“From Silicon to Systems” – We are an elite, multi-disciplinary team bringing together the brightest minds from physics, chemistry, material science, computer science, electrical engineering, and mathematics to develop unique embedded security solutions for government and industrial customers.

Battelle has been trusted by elite government clients to solve some of the world’s hardest security problems. We work in small agile teams to push the bounds of computing technology. Our high-powered labs include specialized hardware, tools, and techniques that enable our engineers to push the cutting edge of cyber solutions.

We encourage new ideas with our large Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program, where engineers work on projects they are passionate about. Inventors and innovators are rewarded through a generous IP compensation program. Our group works collaboratively with many parts of Battelle’s larger organization on projects ranging from genomics to robotics.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field of study and (0-2) years of experience, OR Master’s degree in a relevant field, OR an equivalent combination of education/experience in a relevant field
• Familiarity with digital and analog components (resistors, capacitors, timers, ICs, etc.)
• Experience coding in a low-level language (C, C++, Rust) and a scripting language (Python, Perl, Ruby, etc.)
• Experience with a reverse engineering tools (Ghidra, IDA Pro, BinaryNinja, etc.)
• Basic understanding of debugging techniques and tools (GDB, JTAG, SWD, etc.)
• Familiarity with hardware registers, peripherals, memory maps, and reading datasheets
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team environment while continuing to learn new technologies
• Strong curiosity about how systems work internally
• Must be a US Citizen with the ability and willingness to obtain a DoD Secret or higher clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Holds an active DoD Secret or higher clearance
• Familiarity with assembly language (ARM, x86/x64, PowerPC, or other 8/32/64-bit architectures)
• Exposure to bare-metal and embedded RTOS environments
• Experience using laboratory equipment (multimeter, logic analyzer, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, etc.)
• Understanding of embedded interfaces (UART, SPI, CAN, I2C, USB, etc.)
• Understanding of wireless protocols (BLE, Zigbee, Wi‑Fi, etc.)
• Participation in security research, CTFs, or hardware/firmware projects
• Familiarity with fault injection techniques to alter execution flow in ICs
• Experience with soldering surface mount components and wiring connectors

Compensation Data

Battelle is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role is $75,000 - $105,000 per year, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off—giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients’ requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers