Principal Software Reverse Engineer

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

Job summary

STR in Arlington, VA is seeking a Principal Software Reverse Engineer with a passion for research and vulnerability analysis of cyber-physical systems. This on-site role is part of a multidisciplinary team delivering cutting-edge technologies with national security impact.

You will lead investigations across Windows/Linux binaries and embedded firmware, develop automated analysis tools, and contribute to technical marketing and proposals. A TS clearance and U.S. citizenship are required.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required; U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/Cybersecurity plus 15+ years experience.
• Experience leading technical teams on reverse engineering and exploitation programs.
• Experience with binary analysis of software/firmware.
• Experience with disassembly tools (IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra).
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python.
• Deep understanding of reverse engineering fundamentals.
• Experience in vulnerability research and analysis.
• Knowledge of weaponizing vulnerabilities into exploits.

Responsibilities

• Reverse engineer complex software or firmware targets across Windows/Linux and embedded systems.
• Develop automated reverse engineering and binary analysis tools.
• Lead multi-discipline teams to develop cybersecurity solutions.
• Perform vulnerability weaponization, exploit and payload development.
• Contribute to technical marketing and proposals.
• Document and present research.
• Solve real-world problems impacting national security.

Skills

Reverse engineering

Vulnerability research

Team leadership

C/C++

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/Cybersecurity

Tools

IDA Pro

Binary Ninja

Ghidra

Job description

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. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work at the nexus of computers and real-world physical systems. We believe that 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.

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.
• Bachelors 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
• Disassembler/decompiler module development
• 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

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. 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.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe!

Visit us at www.str.us for more info.

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.