Offensive Cyber Engineer

Cryptic Vector; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Company-paid medical insurance

100% Company-paid dental and vision

Competitive salary and bonus

25% 401k company contribution

Generous PTO and parental/bereavement/

Job summary

Cryptic Vector in the United States is seeking an Offensive Cyber Engineer to perform reverse engineering and vulnerability research on software and firmware, turning binaries into actionable intelligence and building robust exploits. You will deconstruct code, identify exploitable flaws, and craft post-exploitation capabilities that endure real-world pressure.

This role demands deep technical fluency, creative problem-solving, and the ability to work with cross-functional teams across hardware

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/EE or related field.
• Strong programming in C, Assembly, and Python.
• Extensive experience with reverse engineering tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, and Wireshark.
• Proficiency with x86 architecture and hex editors.
• Ability to interface with hardware and decode hardware signals.
• Willingness to obtain/maintain TS clearance.

Responsibilities

• Reverse Engineering (RE) of software/firmware, Vulnerability Research (VR), exploit development/productization.
• Deconstruct and analyze software/firmware to understand structure and behavior.
• Design/develop post-exploitation effects in software/firmware that withstand scrutiny.
• Design/develop secure, reliable software-based communication solutions.
• Design/develop stealth solutions.
• Use industry-standard tools for reverse engineering.
• Develop scripts and tools in C, Assembly, Rust, and Python.
• Collaborate with hardware teams to interact with physical devices.
• Write unit/functional/end-to-end tests.
• Prepare reports documenting findings and implications.
• Work with cross-functional teams to share insights.

Skills

C

Assembly

Python

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Wireshark

x86

Hardware interfacing

Problem solving

Attention to detail

TS clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Wireshark

Job description

Description

At Cryptic Vector, we are dedicated to mission success. We take the time to understand our customers' needs, delivering products that perform when our nation needs them most. We understand that properly supporting the most unique missions of the United States government requires the nation’s best. Our focus is on creating a culture where the best and brightest want to grow, learn, and stay. If coming up with out-of-the-box solutions is your specialty, then you’ll feel right at home at Cryptic Vector. We are solving the country’s most unique problems in an environment where problem solvers and hard workers thrive. We've replaced corporate red tape with transparency and servant leadership. Honestly, it’s hard not to love this culture!

Description

At Cryptic Vector, we are dedicated to mission success. We take the time to understand our customers' needs, delivering products that perform when our nation needs them most. We understand that properly supporting the most unique missions of the United States government requires the nation’s best. Our focus is on creating a culture where the best and brightest want to grow, learn, and stay. If coming up with out-of-the-box solutions is your specialty, then you’ll feel right at home at Cryptic Vector. We are solving the country’s most unique problems in an environment where problem solvers and hard workers thrive. We've replaced corporate red tape with transparency and servant leadership. Honestly, it’s hard not to love this culture!

Offensive Cyber Engineer

As an Offensive Cyber Engineer, you’ll dive deep into reverse engineering and vulnerability research on software and firmware, turning raw binaries into actionable intelligence and building exploits and capabilities that perform under real-world pressure. You will systematically deconstruct complex code to reveal its inner workings, uncover hidden behaviors, and identify exploitable flaws. You’ll also design and develop post-exploitation effects and implants that are robust, stealthy, and engineered to resist both forensic scrutiny and active countermeasures.

This is work that demands deep technical fluency, creative problem-solving, and the ability to build solutions that hold up when everything is on the line. If you’re motivated by conquering tough challenges and having your expertise translate into high-impact results, this role is for you!

Responsibilities

• Reverse Engineering (RE) of software/firmware, Vulnerability Research (VR), exploit development/productization
• Deconstruct and analyze software/firmware to understand its structure, functionality, and behavior
• Design/develop post-exploitation effects in software/firmware, which can withstand scrutiny and attack
• Design/develop secure, reliable, software-based communication solutions
• Design/develop stealth solutions
• Employ industry-standard tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, Wireshark, and Hex editors (e.g., Hex Workshop) to reverse engineer software components
• Develop scripts and tools in C, Assembly, Rust, and Python to automate and enhance reverse engineering processes
• Collaborate with hardware teams to understand and interact with physical devices. This includes connecting probes, using logic analyzers, and decoding signals on hardware
• Write unit tests, functional tests, and end-to-end tests
• Prepare detailed reports documenting the findings, methodologies, and potential implications of reverse engineering efforts
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to provide insights and technical expertise on reverse-engineered software/hardware

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Strong programming skills in C, Assembly, and Python
• Extensive experience with reverse engineering tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, and Wireshark
• Proficiency with x86 architecture, or other modern architecture, and Hex editors
• Ability to interface with hardware, including connecting probes to traces, using logic analyzers, and decoding hardware signals
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and creatively in analyzing software and hardware components
• Meticulous attention to detail, especially when dealing with complex codebases and hardware systems
• Priority will be given to candidates with an active Top Secret (TS) clearance. Ability to obtain and maintain a TS clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with embedded systems or IoT devices
• Familiarity with other assembly languages beyond x86 (e.g., ARM)
• Knowledge of network protocols and cybersecurity principles

Benefits & Perks

As an Employee First company, we offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package:

• 100% Company-paid medical insurance for employees
• 100% Company-paid dental and vision insurance
• Competitive salary and bonus
• 25% 401k company contribution
• Generous PTO, parental leave, bereavement leave, and volunteer time
• Flexible work hours
• Tuition reimbursement, training allowance, internal mobility opportunities
• Free beverages and snacks, Donut Fridays, monthly social events

This role requires use of technical data subject to U.S. Government contract restrictions, therefore this posting is only for U.S. Citizens.

Cryptic Vector is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.