Senior Vulnerability Research Engineer - Zero-Day Research

Nightwing; Maryland; On-site; USD 122,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401k

Paid time off

Insurance

Job summary

Nightwing is seeking a Principal Senior Vulnerability Research Engineer to use advanced systems to identify zero‑day vulnerabilities and analyze programmatic behaviors within a national security context at our Maryland site.

You will develop, test, and debug software, research new vulnerability techniques, and work with a team applying cutting-edge tools (IDA Pro, Ghidra, GDB) while navigating OS internals and exploit mitigations. TS/SCI CI poly preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires 12 years and a bachelor's degree or 10 years and a master's degree in computer science or related field.
• Solid understanding of software development with knowledge in C, C++, or Python.
• Experience with program analysis, reverse engineering, and debugging tools (e.g., angr, BAP, IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, gdb, Ghidra, windbg).
• Knowledge of Windows or Linux.
• Knowledge of Assembly (x86/x64).
• Clearance Requirements: TS/SCI CI Poly Preferred.
• Understanding of OS Internals (any major OS).
• Experience with exploit development, Hack The Box, etc...
• Experience reading or writing assembly.
• Understanding of network protocols, application layer, be able to read/write socket code
• Understanding of exploit mitigations such as DEP and ASLR
• Relevant Certifications (Not Required): OSCP, oscE, OSWP, OSEP, OSWE, OSED, OSEE, GPEN, GWAPT, GXPN, CISSP

Responsibilities

• Use advanced systems to find zero-day vulnerabilities.
• Analyze, design, and identify programmatic behaviors.
• Develop, test, and debug software applications.
• Research data and provide new design ideas for vulnerability techniques.
• Understand terminologies like debugging and fuzzing and applying it into your work.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Program analysis

Reverse engineering

Debugging tools

Windows or Linux

Assembly

OS internals

Exploit development

Networking protocols

DEP/ASLR

Security certifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Master's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Angr

BAP

IDA Pro

Binary Ninja

Ghidra

GDB

WinDbg

Job description

Nightwing is seeking a Principal Senior Vulnerability Research Engineer to use advanced systems to identify zero‑day vulnerabilities and analyze programmatic behaviors within a national security context at our Maryland site.

You will develop, test, and debug software, research new vulnerability techniques, and work with a team applying cutting-edge tools (IDA Pro, Ghidra, GDB) while navigating OS internals and exploit mitigations. TS/SCI CI poly preferred.