Reverse Engineer and AI Workflow Developer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks experienced reverse engineers and AI-enabled developers to investigate complex systems and design agentic AI workflows for engineers and analysts. You will build AI infrastructure, evaluate models, and help shape how AI integrates into challenging national security efforts with cross-disciplinary collaboration.

As a member of our team, you will implement AI-enabled analyses, test and document capabilities, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in reverse engineering, software development, cyber analysis, AI-enabled software development, or related field.
• Experience reverse engineering software/firmware using tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, debuggers, disassemblers, or similar.
• Understand OS fundamentals, computer architecture, software internals, and low-level system behavior.
• Software development experience in Python, C/C++, Rust, or similar languages.
• Hands-on experience using LLMs or generative AI technologies to solve software engineering, analysis, automation, or research problems.
• Understand fundamentals of modern LLM-based systems, including prompting, context management, tool use, structured outputs, retrieval, and agentic workflows.
• Outstanding communicator in both written and verbal forms.
• Citizenship and ability to acquire Secret level security clearance, with potential TS/SCI in future.

Responsibilities

• Reverse engineer software, firmware, and hardware to understand architecture, interfaces, and behavior.
• Develop AI-enabled workflows that augment reverse-engineering and cyber analysis tasks.
• Design AI agents to interface with tools, environments, documentation, and data sources.
• Build and maintain AI development infrastructure, including MCP services, tool integrations, and retrieval systems.
• Evaluate AI models, agent architectures, prompts, and workflows for reliability and applicability to mission problems.
• Operationalize proof-of-concept capabilities in sponsor and laboratory environments.

Skills

Reverse engineering

Python

C/C++

Rust

LLMs / Generative AI

Communication

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE/Data Science/AI

Master’s degree (preferred)

PhD (preferred)

Tools

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Binary Ninja

Debuggers

Disassemblers

Job description

Description

Are you passionate about reverse engineering complex software, firmware, and hardware?

Do you enjoy developing agentic AI workflows and building the infrastructure that turns emerging AI capabilities into practical tools for engineers and analysts?

If so, we want you to join our team! We are seeking experienced reverse engineers and developers who are excited to combine deep technical analysis with emerging AI technologies. You will investigate complex systems, develop novel capabilities, and design AI-enabled workflows that help analysts understand systems faster and more effectively.

We work in a dynamic, mission-driven environment where our efforts have real-world impact. Collaboration is at the heart of our culture, and we value multidisciplinary perspectives, curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning. You will have opportunities to evaluate and explore new AI models and tools, develop reusable AI infrastructure, and help shape how AI is incorporated into challenging national security efforts!

As a member of our team, you will...

• Reverse engineer software, firmware, and hardware to understand system architecture, functionality, interfaces, and behavior
• Develop and apply agentic AI workflows that augment and accelerate reverse-engineering and cyber analysis tasks, combining traditional reverse-engineering techniques with AI-assisted analysis, code generation, data extraction, tool execution, and technical reasoning
• Design AI agents to interface with tools, development environments, documentation and specifications, and other data sources to accomplish complex analyses
• Build, configure, and maintain AI development infrastructure, including model interfaces, agent frameworks, tool integrations, model context protocol (MCP) services, retrieval systems, and supporting automation
• Evaluate AI models, agent architectures, prompting strategies, tools, and workflows to understand their capabilities, limitations, reliability, and applicability to mission problems
• Operationalize proof-of-concept capabilities by thoroughly testing, documenting, packaging, and integrating them into sponsor and laboratory environments

Qualifications

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or another discipline relevant to the duties as described above
• Have at least 2 years of experience in reverse engineering, software development, cyber analysis, AI-enabled software development, or a related technical field
• Have experience reverse engineering software or firmware using tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, debuggers, disassemblers, or similar
• Understand operating system fundamentals, computer architecture, software internals, and low-level system behavior
• Have software development experience in languages such as Python, C/C++, Rust, or similar languages
• Have hands-on experience using LLMs or generative AI technologies to solve software engineering, analysis, automation, or research problems
• Understand the fundamentals of modern LLM-based systems, including prompting, context management, tool use, structured outputs, retrieval, and agentic workflows
• Are an outstanding communicator in both written and verbal forms
• Are able to acquire a Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have a Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field
• Have 8+ years of experience in reverse engineering, cyber capability development, software engineering, or related technical work
• Have experience with AI agent frameworks, coding agents, model context protocol (MCP), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), vector databases, or related AI infrastructure
• Have experience integrating LLMs with engineering tools, reverse-engineering platforms, debuggers, compilers, source-code repositories, or other program-analysis capabilities
• Have experience reverse engineering embedded systems, communications devices, radios, cellular systems, or other complex hardware/software platforms
• Hold an active TS/SCI security clearance

About Us

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

Why Work at APL?

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$245,000 Annually