Junior Vulnerability Researcher (Cloud & Containers)

caci; Florham Park (NJ); On-site; USD 79,400 - 162,700; Full time

Job summary

CACI in Florham Park, New Jersey is seeking a Junior Vulnerability Researcher skilled in systems-level engineering with a focus on cloud security.

The candidate will be involved in vulnerability research, analyzing cloud environments, and developing tools to improve national cybersecurity infrastructure. Minimum 3–5 years of related experience required.

The proposed salary range is $79,400 - $162,700, aligning with qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of professional experience in vulnerability research or systems-level software development.
• Proficient in container orchestration (Kubernetes) and OCI runtime specification.
• Hands-on experience with debugging and packet analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Execute research into OCI runtimes and Linux kernel primitives to identify vulnerabilities.
• Develop and maintain custom fuzzing harnesses for security testing.
• Generate detailed technical reports for discovered vulnerabilities.

Skills

Vulnerability research

Python3

Go

C/C++

Reverse engineering

Linux kernel internals

Kubernetes

Education

Top Secret clearance

Relevant certifications

Tools

IDA Pro

Ghidra

Binary Ninja

GDB

Wireshark

Job description

Junior Vulnerability Researcher (Cloud & Containers)

We are seeking a Vulnerability Researcher with a strong background in systems‑level engineering and a passion for cloud security. This role is for a practitioner who has moved beyond the basics and is ready to take ownership of research tasks within the DNA of the cloud. You will apply your knowledge of container internals and binary analysis to hunt for escapes and logic flaws in Kubernetes environments. You will work as part of a high‑performing team, executing complex vulnerability research and developing automated tools to secure national cybersecurity infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Execute research into OCI runtimes (runc, crun) and Linux kernel primitives (namespaces, cgroups) to identify breakout and privilege escalation paths.
• Perform static and dynamic analysis on compiled binaries (Go, Rust, or C++) to map logic and identify potential security vulnerabilities.
• Develop and maintain custom fuzzing harnesses (e.g., AFL++, libFuzzer) to stress‑test gRPC interfaces and microservice components.
• Use symbolic and concolic execution tools (e.g., Angr, Manticore) to automate the discovery of complex execution paths.
• Analyze containerized environments and system initialization logic to identify and document potential attack surfaces.
• Write custom Python3 scripts to automate research workflows, including firmware unpacking and memory analysis.
• Generate detailed technical reports and documentation for discovered vulnerabilities and research methodology.

Qualifications

Required

• An active Top Secret clearance.
• 3–5 years of professional experience in vulnerability research, reverse engineering, or systems‑level software development.
• Proficiency in Go, Rust, or C/C++ and strong scripting skills in Python3.
• Experience with disassembly and decompilation tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, or Binary Ninja.
• Working knowledge of Linux kernel internals, specifically regarding container isolation (namespaces/cgroups).
• Hands‑on experience with debugging tools like GDB and packet analysis tools like Wireshark.
• Familiarity with container orchestration (Kubernetes) and the OCI runtime specification.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent technical research and document complex findings.

Desired

• An active SCI clearance.
• Previous experience with fuzzing frameworks and vulnerability discovery in distributed systems.
• Understanding of x86 or ARM assembly language.
• Experience with cloud provider security (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Relevant security certifications or a history of participation in advanced CTF competitions.

Pay Range

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. The proposed salary range for this position is: $79,400 - $162,700.

CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.