Security Researcher

LLNL; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Referral bonus $1500

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking a Security Researcher to support red teaming and defense of critical infrastructure systems and Federal networks. You will advance cyber capabilities, threat analysis, and mitigation strategies for operational technology and industrial control systems in the STAR organization of GS-CAD.

This position offers opportunities at SES.2 or SES.3 levels, with responsibilities expanding at the higher level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with significant focus in cybersecurity, computer science, or related field.
• Broad experience performing program analysis of source code, binaries, or firmware.
• Proficient analytical and problem-solving skills for complex cybersecurity challenges.

Responsibilities

• Provide solutions to cyber research projects using automated methods to identify vulnerabilities in software, firmware, and OT systems.
• Contribute to red team operations, penetration testing, and adversarial simulation capabilities.
• Analyze software, firmware, and malware to identify weaknesses and attack vectors, developing repeatable workflows.

Skills

Cybersecurity research

Red team operations

Malware analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or related field

Tools

IDA Pro

Static analysis tools

Dynamic analysis tools

Job description

• Category: Information Technology/Computing
• Job Code 2: SES.3 Science & Engineering MTS 3
• Employee Referral Bonus: $1500
• Job Code 1: SES.2 Science & Engineering MTS 2
• Pre-Employment Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
• Pre-Placement Medical Exam: Not applicable
• Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
• Position Type: Flexible Term or Career Indefinite

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Security Researcher to support efforts to develop techniques and tools for red teaming in support of the defense of critical infrastructure systems and Federal networks. You will contribute to moderately complex to complex security research and red teaming projects, developing and applying innovative methods to emulate cyber-adversary behavior and help develop tools used to defend critical U.S. infrastructure and networks. Your expertise will support the advancement of cyber capabilities, threat analysis, and mitigation strategies for operational technology and industrial control systems. This position is programmatically in the Strategic Threat Analysis and Response (STAR) organization and administratively in the Global Security Computing Applications Division (GS-CAD) within the Computing Directorate.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Provide solutions to cyber research projects using creative and automated methods to identify vulnerabilities in software, firmware, and operational technology systems.
• Contribute to technical requirements for red team operations, penetration testing, and adversarial simulation capabilities at LLNL.
• Under limited direction, analyze software, firmware, and malware to identify weaknesses, malicious behavior, and potential attack vectors, developing repeatable workflows to support red team engagements.
• Contribute to source code, binary, and firmware analysis to identify vulnerabilities and support the development of proof-of-concept exploits and mitigations.
• Participate in the design, implementation and techniques for vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and adversary emulation to improve understanding and mitigation of threats to operational technology.
• Monitor emerging threats and opportunities to enhance cyber defense and red team capabilities.
• Collaborate with sponsors and stakeholders to support program growth opportunities, research proposals, and alignment with mission objectives.
• Contribute to the development and execution of innovative approaches to meet sponsor and project needs in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
• Collaborate with team members and contribute technical expertise to project and program activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Guide the completion of complex technical projects and contribute to research direction, project planning, and technical strategy.
• Provide solutions to challenging cybersecurity complex problems and translate concepts into practical tools or software.
• Collaborate in the development of technical approaches, requirements, and project goals to address evolving Laboratory and sponsor needs.
• Engage with project teams external stakeholders to advance cybersecurity research and capabilities.

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree with significant focus in cybersecurity, computer science, information technology, computer engineering, or related technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Broad experience performing program analysis of source code, binaries, or firmware.
• Broad experience in the use of hardware or software debuggers, static disassemblers and decompilers (such as IDA Pro), common binary file formats, dynamic analysis tools, software bills of materials, and/or network analysis tools.
• Broad experience communicating technical information across multi-disciplinary teams and to non-cyber experts and collaborating effectively in a team environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies in red teaming and penetration testing.
• Proficient analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to develop creative solutions to moderately complex to complex problems.
• Ability to effectively manage concurrent technical tasks with competing priorities, along with the demonstrated ability to approach difficult problems with enthusiasm and creativity and to effectively change focus when necessary.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information to multi-disciplinary teams and non-cyber experts.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Advanced experience contributing to complex cybersecurity research projects and applying technical methods to solve challenging problems.
• Ability to work independently on assigned technical tasks while managing competing priorities and adapting to changing requirements.
• Advanced experience communicating technical concepts, collaborating across disciplines, and supporting project planning or research proposals.
• Advanced knowledge of one or more specialized areas, such as instruction set architectures, reverse engineering, firmware analysis and extraction, or operational technology implementation.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s or PhD with significant focus in cybersecurity, computer science, information technology, computer engineering, or a related technical field.
• Knowledge of one or more of the following computer science disciplines: embedded systems, scientific data analysis, machine learning, systems programming, software engineering, formal verification methods, and high-performance computing.
• Experience with industrial control systems software and hardware.
• Experience contributing to research proposals, sponsor engagements, or funding opportunities.
• Experience working in the Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, a utility, manufacturing, or hardware/software company, or a cybersecurity firm.

Pay Range

Pay Range

$146,340 - $222,564Annually

$146,340 - $185,544 Annually at the SES.2 level

$175,530 - $222,564Annually at the SES.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite or At Will appointment. Lab employees and external candidates may be considered for this position.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

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