Senior Cyber Tool and Capability Developer

Dormont Manufacturing Co; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 82,300 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance programs

Employee clubs

Discounts to local museums

Job summary

Draper is actively seeking a Senior Cyber Software Engineer to support cybersecurity, ML, and cyber tool development across domains serving national interests. You will lead design and development of software tools, perform static and dynamic analysis on firmware and software, and mentor teammates in a multi‑disciplinary environment.

The role covers embedded and non‑embedded systems, and requires strong skills in C/C++, Python, Go, Rust, and modern security analysis tools.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s in computer science, computer engineering, or related field.
• 5–10 years experience in Cybersecurity or related field is required.
• Experience with secure coding practices and vulnerability research.
• Proficiency with programming languages: C, C++, Python, GoLang, Rust.
• Experience in building high‑quality code and helping others to meet coding standards.

Responsibilities

• Assess hardware and software for security vulnerabilities using various technologies.
• Develop software that meets behavior and security requirements for tailored applications.
• Integrate software capabilities with other tasks or groups to improve performance.
• Create new tools and systems to detect and exploit vulnerabilities and system weaknesses.
• Document nominal application and system functionality, and changes.
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction and adapt to changes.

Skills

C/C++

Python

GoLang

Rust

Team collaboration

Mentoring

Problem solving

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s in computer science, computer engineering, or related field

Tools

Ghidra

IDA

Binary Ninja

Radare

Angr

GDB

WinDBG

QEMU

LLVM

Job description

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross‑fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary

Draper is actively seeking a Senior Cyber Software Engineer to support current and future cybersecurity, machine learning, and cyber tool development projects across a variety of domains supporting the United States of America’s national interest. Due to the variety of USG organizational needs, our technical efforts and opportunities vary from conventional cyber operations enablement tooling to embedded vulnerability research and exploit development on a wide range of devices and systems. We are looking for enthusiastic and ambitious individuals to join and lead our growing set of programs and innovate for the greater good of our Nation’s security. As a part of the Draper Cyber Software team, you will drive the design and development of software tools and capabilities, perform static and dynamic analysis on diverse firmware and software, and share your expertise with others via mentoring and technical leadership opportunities. You will be a part of a multi‑disciplinary team with expertise in a wide array of technologies and skills such as embedded systems, compiler theory, threat intelligence, fuzzing, binary analysis, and vulnerability research.

Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assess hardware and software for security vulnerabilities using a breadth of technologies and techniques.
• Develop software that meets behavior and security requirements for tailored applications.
• Integrate software capabilities with other tasks or groups to improve performance or behavior requirements.
• Create new tools and systems to detect and exploit vulnerabilities and system weaknesses.
• Document nominal application and system functionality, in addition to implemented changes.
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction – contribute to requirements, development, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and apply analysis techniques across a range of technical disciplines.
• Identify program/system‑level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities

• Curiosity‑driven approach to solving complex, customer‑driven problems as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi‑disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non‑technical personnel.
• Be a team player able to work in a fast‑paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.

Education

Requires a bachelor’s in computer science, computer engineering, or related field.

Experience

5‑10 years experience in Cybersecurity or related field is required.

Software Development and Program/Binary Analysis

• Proficiency in developing custom low‑level software tools and integrating those tools into complex (both embedded and non‑embedded) systems.
• Proficiency with contemporary program analysis methodologies and techniques (static and dynamic). Relevant tools include Ghidra, Ida, Binary Ninja, Radare, Angr, debuggers (GDB, WinDBG), emulation tools (Qemu), fuzzers (AFL++) etc.
• Experience with techniques that prevent reverse engineering and employ obfuscation or diversification.
• Proven background in researching and exploiting software vulnerabilities.
• Knowledge of secure coding practices and mitigation techniques against software attack vectors.
• Proficient using programming languages and their build systems such as: C, C++, Python, GoLang, Rust.
• Experience in compiler toolchain development such as building custom LLVM passes. Experience with leveraging the different stages of compilation i.e. intermediate representation.
• Experience in building high‑quality code and helping others to meet those same coding standards.

System and Architecture

• Proficiency with the core workings of operating systems (user mode, kernel mode, boot processes), especially in Windows, GNU/Linux, or RTOS contexts.
• Experience leveraging a variety of computing architectures and their associated assembly languages (e.g. x86, ARM, RISCV, etc.).

Leadership and Business Development

• Past experience in task leadership. Able to task delegate and plan individual task timelines.
• Effective using different communication styles depending on team needs. Experience communicating during difficult situations.
• Experience with presenting technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience participating in proposal writing and business winning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in building reverse engineering automation tools and analysis frameworks.
• Experience in leveraging machine learning (where appropriate) to automate cyber software tool development and program analysis.
• History of business winning; proven experience leading proposals that resulted in new business.
• Background in R&D and exploring novel, cutting‑edge concepts that are high risk, high reward.

Location

This role is onsite in Cambridge, MA or Reston, VA. Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Having an existing TS/SCI is preferred.

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139‑3563

Compensation

The US base salary range for this full‑time position is $82,300.00 – $220,000.00.

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement’s approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Benefits

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work‑life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off‑site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities.

EEO Statement

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high‑performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [e-mail].