Senior Reverse Engineer & Vulnerability Research Leader

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL); Laurel (NE); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a senior reverse engineering engineer to join our mission-focused team working on embedded systems and national security problems.

You will reverse engineer mission-relevant systems, uncover vulnerabilities, and develop inventive exploits, collaborating with government sponsors and lab colleagues. A strong background in security research, leadership, and mentoring is preferred; TS/SCI clearance is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline aligned to the role.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong proficiency with debuggers and static analysis tools such as Ghidra, IDA, and Binary Ninja.
• Fluency in one or more programming languages.
• Hands-on experience reading and writing assembly code.
• Solid understanding of Unix/Linux operating systems and embedded systems development toolchains.
• Active TS/SCI clearance and ability to obtain TS/SCI with polygraph clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Reverse engineer mission-relevant systems, uncover vulnerabilities, and develop inventive exploits.
• Collaborate with teammates in custom laboratories built for foreign materiel, telecommunications infrastructure, and other embedded platforms.
• Work with APL specialists in missile defense, space, and maritime systems to understand operational impact of findings.
• Partner with government sponsors across multiple agencies to develop mission-aligned offensive cyber capabilities.
• Investigate new methods to automate reverse engineering and exploit development.
• Propose innovative technical approaches and new research paths to shape work direction.
• Mentor early-career team members in reverse engineering craft and discipline.

Skills

Debugger & static analysis tools

Programming languages

Reading/writing assembly

Unix/Linux & embedded toolchains

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's/Master's degree in CS/EE/CE

Tools

Ghidra

IDA

Binary Ninja

Job description

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a senior reverse engineering engineer to join our mission-focused team working on embedded systems and national security problems.

You will reverse engineer mission-relevant systems, uncover vulnerabilities, and develop inventive exploits, collaborating with government sponsors and lab colleagues. A strong background in security research, leadership, and mentoring is preferred; TS/SCI clearance is highly valued.