Lead Vulnerability Researcher

Two Six Technologies; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

Two Six Technologies is seeking a Lead Vulnerability Researcher to join the Communication Systems team in Arlington, Virginia. The role focuses on reverse engineering wireless and embedded systems to uncover vulnerabilities and develop PoC exploits, using IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, and Ghidra.

Responsibilities include leading task execution, mentoring teammates, and contributing to proposals while supporting mission-critical government programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s (or higher) degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Extensive experience with programming/scripting languages in C/C++, Python, and Linux command-line environments, with a demonstrated track record of providing thorough solutions to a wide range of difficult technical problems.
• Proven capability in leading technical task execution, managing schedule priorities, and providing technical direction and guidance to team members.
• Extensive hands-on experience in software/firmware reverse engineering and vulnerability research using industry tools such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra.
• Applied domain expertise in one or more core areas: firmware analysis (ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, RTOS), firmware rehosting/emulation (QEMU), fuzzing and exploit development, binary obfuscation/anti-analysis techniques, wireless protocol/RF signal analysis, or fault injection frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical planning, task prioritization, and schedule management for a group of reverse engineering and vulnerability research assignments for government programs.
• Reverse engineer wireless and embedded systems to identify security weaknesses and analyze firmware and network protocols.
• Develop maintainable proof-of-concept exploits for discovered vulnerabilities following DevOps practices and refine tooling.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to CNO developers and team members in a fast-paced environment.
• Support business development by contributing ideas and technical content to proposals.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Linux

Reverse engineering

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

IDA Pro

Binary Ninja

Ghidra

QEMU

Job description

At Two Six Technologies, we build, deploy, and implement innovative products that solve the world’s most complex challenges today. Through unrivaled collaboration and unwavering trust, we push the boundaries of what’s possible to empower our team and support our customers in building a safer global future.

Overview Opportunity

Two Six Technologies is actively seeking a Lead Vulnerability Researcher to join our Communication Systems team in Arlington, Virginia. The team is composed of intellectual individuals, passionate about software and firmware reverse engineering to uncover vulnerabilities in wireless and embedded communications systems. The team is growing and looking for someone with a cybersecurity research background who has an understanding on how to lead task execution, discover security weaknesses, and develop innovative proof-of-concept exploits on complex, real-world targets. If you are actively using IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, Ghidra, Python, and C/C++, the team wants to talk to you!

What You Will Do

• Lead the technical planning, task prioritization, and schedule management for a group of reverse engineering and vulnerability research assignments supporting mission-critical government programs.
• Reverse engineer wireless and embedded communications systems to identify security weaknesses, assess their operational impact, and analyze firmware, software protections, and network protocols.
• Develop maintainable proof-of-concept exploits for discovered vulnerabilities following DevOps best practices, while creating and refining custom binary analysis and disassembly tools.
• Work autonomously with latitude for independent judgment, providing technical direction, guidance, and task-level mentorship to CNO developers and team members in a fast-paced environment.
• Support business development and program growth by contributing ideas, technical solutions, and content to proposal development efforts.

What You Will Need (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s (or higher) degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Extensive experience with programming/scripting languages in C/C++, Python, and Linux command-line environments, with a demonstrated track record of providing thorough solutions to a wide range of difficult technical problems.
• Proven capability in leading technical task execution, managing schedule priorities, and providing technical direction and guidance to team members.
• Extensive hands-on experience in software/firmware reverse engineering and vulnerability research using industry tools such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra.
• Applied domain expertise in one or more core areas: firmware analysis (ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, RTOS), firmware rehosting/emulation (QEMU), fuzzing and exploit development, binary obfuscation/anti-analysis techniques, wireless protocol/RF signal analysis, or fault injection frameworks.

Nice To Have (Preferred)

• Experience contributing technical content, solutions, and ideas to proposal and business development efforts.
• Experience scripting with the Binary Ninja API or Ghidra plugin framework, and embedded software development in C/C++ for RTOS or Linux environments.
• In-depth knowledge of cryptographic security, secure boot mechanisms, side-channel analysis, and defeating modern exploit mitigations (ASLR, DEP, Stack Canaries).
• Hands-on experience working with hardware debugging tools (JTAG/SWD), software-defined radio (SDR) frameworks, digital signal processing, or client-facing technical demonstrations.

Clearance Requirement

• Active U.S. Security Clearance at the Top Secret level with the ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI.

Two Six Technologies is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive compensation packages that reflect the value we place on our employees and their contributions. We believe in rewarding skills, experience, and performance. Our offerings include but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance and professional development.

Salary Range

$154,257 - $231,386 USD

Two Six Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type and protective hair styles (e.g., braids, twists, locs and twists)), color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and over), marital status, disability, genetic information, and protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information review the Two Six Technologies Equal Employment Opportunity and Affiliation policy and the EEO Poster.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request reasonable workplace accommodation for any part of our employment process, please send an email to [e-mail]. Information provided will be kept confidential and used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Additionally, please be advised that this business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices.