Senior Security Researcher

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 267,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, CA, seeks a Senior Security Researcher to lead red teaming efforts, develop tools for advanced cyber defense, and emulate cyber-adversary behavior to protect critical infrastructure and federal networks.

You will guide complex security research, collaborate on technical requirements, analyze binaries and firmware, and mentor team members within the STAR/GS-CAD organizations.

Qualifications

• DOE Q clearance required and U.S. citizenship
• Significant experience leading program analysis of source code, binaries, or firmware
• Experience with red teaming, adversarial simulation, and penetration testing
• Ability to develop repeatable workflows for red team engagements
• Strong written and verbal communication across multidisciplinary teams

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage advanced cyber research projects and red teaming activities
• Develop technical requirements for red team operations and adversarial simulations
• Analyze software, firmware, and malware to identify weaknesses and attack vectors
• Perform source code, binary, and firmware analysis to uncover exploitable vulnerabilities
• Design and implement new tools for vulnerability assessment and adversary emulation
• Identify emerging threats and shape LLNL cybersecurity initiatives
• Engage sponsors to develop new programs and secure funding
• Mentor team members and help win projects and funding
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Red team leadership

Code/binary analysis

Firmware analysis

Adversarial simulation

Analytical problem solving

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity/CS

Advanced degree in cybersecurity (desirable)

Tools

IDA Pro

Dynamic analysis tools

Job description

Mid-Senior Level | Full-time
Information Technology/Computing | Livermore, CA | 10/26/2026
Reference #: REF9037X
Job Code: SES.3 Science & Engineering MTS 3 / SES.4 Science & Engineering MTS 4
Organization: Computing
Position Type: Flexible Term or Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable

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 Senior Security Researcher to lead efforts to develop techniques and tools for red teaming in support of the defense of critical infrastructure systems and Federal networks. You will lead and support a range of highly complex security research and red teaming projects, developing and deploying innovative methods to emulate cyber-adversary behavior to help develop tools used to defend critical U.S. infrastructure and networks. Your expertise will drive the evolution of advanced 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

• Guide and support advanced cyber research projects leveraging creative and automated methods to identify vulnerabilities in software, firmware, and operational technology systems.
• Collaborate in the development of technical requirements for red team operations, penetration testing, and adversarial simulation capabilities at LLNL.
• Analyze and assess novel software, firmware, and malware to uncover weaknesses, malicious behavior, and potential attack vectors, creating repeatable workflows to support future red team engagements.
• Conduct in-depth source code, binary, and firmware analysis to identify exploitable vulnerabilities and develop proof‑of‑concept exploits and mitigations.
• Participate in the design and implementation of new tools and techniques for vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and adversary emulation to advance the understanding and mitigation of threats to operational technology.
• Identify emerging threats and opportunities for enhancing cyber defense and red team capabilities, helping shape the technical direction of LLNL’s cybersecurity initiatives.
• Engage with sponsors and stakeholders to develop new program growth opportunities, contribute to research proposals, and ensure alignment with mission objectives.
• Drive and execute innovative ideas and approaches to meet sponsor and project needs in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
• Mentor and collaborate with team members, utilizing your technical expertise to attract and retain projects, programs, and funding.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Direct technical tasks for a portfolio of highly complex technical tasks and projects that consistently require the application of creativity and innovation; set broad research/project vision and strategy and influence technical direction for Laboratory, self and/or others wielding extensive influence with senior management and policy makers.
• Provide highly innovative solutions to abstract complex problems/ideas, convert them into usable algorithms/software modules, and provide solutions that require in-depth analysis of multiple factors and the creative use of established methods.
• Develop new ideas, modify approaches, and redefine requirements that significantly impact major Laboratory programs, set high-level goals, and contribute to the revolutionary advancement of knowledge.

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.
• Significant experience leading program analysis of source code, binaries, or firmware.
• 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.
• Significant experience communicating technical information across multi-disciplinary teams and to non‑cyber experts, advising senior management, and applying interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Advanced knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art technologies in red teaming and penetration testing.
• Advanced analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills to develop creative solutions 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.
• Advanced 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 and advise senior management and/or external sponsors and proficient interpersonal skills.

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Expert‑level experience and ability to plan the integration and implementation of new programs and/or operational best practices.
• Expert‑level project leadership experience and ability to apply, lead and develop cutting‑edge principles and research, working independently while effectively managing concurrent technical tasks with competing priorities.
• Substantial experience creating technical direction and vision, writing research proposals, and securing sponsor funding.
• Extensive experience in and knowledge of at least one of the following subject areas: Instruction set architectures, Reverse engineering intermediate languages, Firmware analysis and extraction, and/or Operational technology implementation.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree 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.
• Ability to secure sponsor funding through winning proposals and sponsor relationships.
• Previous experience working Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, a utility, manufacturing, or hardware/software company, or a cybersecurity firm.

Pay Range

$175,530 - $267,060 Annually

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

$210,630 - $267,060 Annually at the SES.4 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.

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

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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