Lead Offensive Security Researcher – iOS Platforms

ClearanceJobs; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ClearanceJobs is seeking a Team Lead, Offensive Security Researcher for iOS Platforms. You will manage a top-notch offensive security research team, guiding research initiatives and mentoring engineers to enhance mobile platform security.

Strong leadership and expertise in iOS vulnerability analysis are crucial. This role involves direct research on iOS, developing exploits, and ensuring alignment with security advancements. Candidates should have extensive knowledge of modern Apple platforms and a history of impactful security research.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading or mentoring teams focused on offensive security.
• Extensive hands-on background in iOS security research.
• Strong programming and debugging skills using C, C++, assembly.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team of offensive security engineers.
• Direct advanced vulnerability research targeting iOS.
• Support recruiting efforts by participating in technical interviews.

Skills

Offensive security leadership

iOS security research

Reverse engineering

C/C++ programming

Communication skills

Tools

Reverse engineering frameworks

Job description

This position will require Domestic and International travel, probably averaging 2-3 trips per quarter

Team Lead, Offensive Security Researcher – iOS Platforms

We are seeking a highly experienced technical leader to manage an elite offensive security research team focused on advanced iOS vulnerability analysis and exploit research. This role will guide long-term research initiatives, mentor highly skilled engineers, and help drive innovation in mobile platform security across modern Apple devices and software ecosystems.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team of offensive security engineers and researchers, supporting technical development, collaboration, and overall team effectiveness.
• Deliver regular status updates to leadership regarding technical progress, project milestones, operational challenges, and resource needs.
• Promote a research-focused culture emphasizing documentation, knowledge transfer, internal presentations, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Organize recurring technical discussions to explore new attack surfaces, tooling enhancements, exploitation techniques, and research priorities.
• Mentor junior researchers and newly hired team members through onboarding, technical coaching, and career development.
• Support recruiting efforts by participating in technical interviews and candidate assessments.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback aligned with team and organizational objectives.
• Assist in managing operational budgets related to training, travel, and industry conference participation.
• Coordinate with leadership and partner organizations to ensure research goals align with broader strategic priorities.

Technical Responsibilities

• Direct advanced vulnerability research targeting iOS, mobile operating systems, kernel subsystems, and low-level platform components.
• Oversee reverse engineering efforts, exploit prototype development, and analysis of modern platform protections.
• Define technical priorities balancing ongoing research programs with exploration of emerging attack vectors and technologies.
• Ensure research methodologies remain aligned with evolving offensive techniques, mitigation strategies, and platform security advancements.
• Encourage publication and presentation of impactful technical findings, methodologies, and security research outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience leading or mentoring teams focused on offensive security, exploit development, or vulnerability research.
• Extensive hands-on background in iOS security research and exploitation involving modern Apple hardware and software platforms.
• Strong understanding of contemporary iOS security protections and mitigation technologies, including PAC, SPTM, MIE, and related mechanisms.
• Advanced expertise in reverse engineering, vulnerability discovery, and exploit development within iOS or comparable low-level operating system environments.
• Strong programming and debugging skills using C, C++, assembly, and related low-level development tools.
• Experience with professional-grade reverse engineering and binary analysis frameworks.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership abilities.
• Demonstrated record of meaningful security research contributions such as CVEs, technical publications, advisories, or conference presentations.