Principal Vulnerability Researcher

Trusted Concepts, Inc.; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 181,000 - 289,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Tuition assistance

Professional development

Job summary

Two Six Technologies seeks a Principal Software Reverse Engineer to join the Trusted Electronics & Effects team in Arlington, VA. You will perform vulnerability research on complex embedded systems, develop automation tools, and lead technical projects with client-facing impact.

You’ll work with top-tier CNO developers and hardware engineers, mentoring peers and shaping program directions while delivering PoCs and products for national security challenges.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline
• Experience with reverse engineering and vulnerability research using IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra
• Strong background in C/C++ and Python on Linux for reverse engineering and vulnerability research
• Experience with firmware analysis (ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, RTOS) and emulation tools like QEMU

Responsibilities

• Perform vulnerability research on complex embedded systems
• Develop tools to automate tasks in reverse engineering
• Productize PoCs or hand off results to engineering teams
• Provide technical leadership and direction on research projects
• Mentor junior team members through code reviews and guidance

Skills

C/C++ programming

Python scripting

Reverse engineering

Linux command-line

Low-level programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Computer/ Electrical 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 Of Opportunity
Join the Trusted Electronics & Effects team of Two Six Technologies, a team of dedicated hackers in Arlington, Virginia, where you’ll immerse yourself in cutting‑edge vulnerability research on a wide range of unique embedded systems. Working side by side with top‑tier CNO developers and hardware engineers, you’ll discover vulnerabilities and create proof of concepts on embedded systems. Our fast‑growing roster of government customers relies on us to deliver advanced security solutions, and we’re looking for a Principal Software Reverse Engineer to help us continue pushing boundaries. If you’re passionate about building tools that make a tangible impact on national security, we want you on our team.
Responsibilities Include

• Perform vulnerability research on complex embedded systems
• Take on complex technical problems for which there is often no known answer
• Develop tools and techniques to assist/automate tasks that traditionally require significant manual reverse engineering effort
• Follow‑on development to productize results/PoCs or handoff to developers for productization
• Provide technical leadership and direction on novel research projects, and interface directly with clients/key stakeholders to present findings and determine program direction
• Mentor and develop junior team members through knowledge‑sharing, code reviews, and hands‑on guidance, fostering their growth
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent practical experience in security research, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, or exploit development may substitute for a degree
• Extensive experience developing, debugging, and scripting in C/C++ and Python within Linux command‑line environments, with a strong emphasis on low‑level programming, memory management, and system interaction for reverse engineering and vulnerability research
• Experience with reverse engineering and vulnerability research, using tools such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra
• Expertise in one or more of the following:
  • Firmware analysis (ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, RTOS)
  • Firmware rehosting using emulation tools such as QEMU
  • Fuzzing and exploit development
  • Binary obfuscation and anti‑analysis techniques
  • Wireless protocols and radio signal analysis
  • File system forensics and fault injection frameworks.
• Experience leading a team of engineers and researchers

Nice If You Have

• Experience in a client‑facing technical role
• Experience reverse engineering binary payloads from multiple architectures (ARM, MIPS, TI, x86, x64)
• Experience reverse engineering data payloads at rest (custom file formats) and in flight (live data captures)
• Experience with invasive and non‑invasive hardware analysis, including PCB/component identification and hardware manipulation
• Hands‑on experience debugging embedded systems using JTAG, UART, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
  

Clearance Requirements

• Active Top Secret clearance with eligibility/willingness to obtain a Top Secret/SCI clearance. Prefer active TS/SCI with Poly

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.
The projected salary range listed for this position is annualized. This is a general guideline and not a guarantee of salary. Salary is one component of our total compensation package and the specific salary offered is determined by various factors, including, but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, geographic location, as well as contract specific affordability and organizational requirements.
Salary Range
$180,779 - $289,014 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 Affine reative Action 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.