Principal Software Reverse Engineer

STR; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 204,000 - 284,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Arlington, VA is seeking a Principal Software Reverse Engineer. The role involves reverse engineering software and firmware, leading technical teams, and developing innovative cybersecurity solutions. Candidates require a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a minimum of 15 years relevant experience, as well as an Active Top Secret clearance. This position offers a salary range of $204,000 - $284,000 and requires onsite work. Join a team dedicated to impact national security through advanced technologies.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience relevant to reverse engineering.
• Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance required.
• Experience with binary analysis of software/firmware.

Responsibilities

• Reverse engineer software and firmware targets.
• Develop and apply automated reverse engineering tools.
• Perform vulnerability weaponization and exploit development.

Skills

Reverse engineering Software

Vulnerability analysis

Team leadership

Binary analysis tools

Programming in C/C++

Knowledge of Assembly Languages

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

MS or PhD with relevant experience

Tools

IDA Pro

Binary Ninja

Ghidra

Job description

Job Summary

Principal Software Reverse Engineer

STR is hiring a Principal Software Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. This opportunity will be part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers dedicated to developing cutting‑edge technologies with significant and immediate impact on our national security. We believe each employee has a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives that are essential to providing our customers with innovative solutions. The skills listed below are representative of those needed for this role but are not the only acceptable set. If you see an overlap with your skills, go ahead and apply!

Work must be performed onsite and Active Top Secret (TS) Clearance required.

What you’ll do

• Reverse engineering complex software or firmware targets, ranging from typical Windows/Linux binaries to embedded firmware running non‑traditional computer architectures and operating systems
• Developing and applying automated reverse engineering and binary analysis tools to characterize protocols, interfaces, and functionality of target systems
• Developing innovative cybersecurity solutions
• Leading multi‑discipline teams to tackle challenging problems from a wide variety of technologies to develop innovative cybersecurity solutions
• Performing vulnerability weaponization, exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets
• Technical marketing to existing and potential customers
• Technical proposal development (idea generation, writing, reviewing, editing)
• Documenting, demonstrating, and presenting research
• Solving real world problems that have an impact on national security

Who you are

• This position requires an Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by the U.S. Government.
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity or related field plus a minimum of 15 years relevant experience (MS or PhD with equivalent work experience may also be considered)
• Substantial experience leading technical teams on advanced reverse engineering and exploitation programs
• Experience with binary analysis of software/firmware
• Experience with disassembly tools, such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra
• Proficiency in multiple Assembly Languages: x86, ARM, etc.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages: C/C++, Python, etc.
• Deep understanding of reverse engineering fundamentals
• Experience in Vulnerability research and analysis
• Knowledge of weaponizing discovered vulnerabilities into exploits

Nice to haves

• Implant or software patch development
• Familiarity with binary emulation or vulnerability research, including tools such as QEMU or AFL++
• Experience with DSP architectures, such as Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, NXP, or Analog Devices.
• Knowledge of operating system internals including memory/process/thread management
• Embedded systems or firmware analysis
• Experience development custom emulation tools to enable dynamic analysis
• Experience analyzing and reconstructing code/data flow
• Automated reverse engineering or software analysis tool development
• Experience debugging software without source code
• Knowledge of binary file structures and formats
• Experience analyzing protocols or message structures
• Knowledge of anti‑reverse engineering techniques
• Knowledge of intrusion detection and anti‑malware systems and techniques

Pay Information

Full‑Time Salary Range: $204,000 - $284,000

About Us

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA; Arlington, VA; Dayton, OH; Melbourne, FL; and Carlsbad, CA. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in cyber, next‑generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

Equal Opportunity Employer

STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at [e-mail] and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.