Staff Cyber Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 177,000 - 265,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Flexible schedule

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Senior Vulnerability Research Engineer at Northrop Grumman in Cincinnati focuses on offensive cyber operations, developing cyber hardware and software solutions for military and intelligence customers.

The role requires deep expertise in vulnerability research, reverse engineering, and software development with C/C++.

Qualifications

• B.S./M.S./Ph.D. in a related field with extensive programming experience.
• Experience with vulnerability research tools and reverse engineering.
• Proficiency in C or C++ programming.

Responsibilities

• Research vulnerabilities and perform reverse engineering on embedded systems.
• Plan and conduct vulnerability analysis on user and kernel mode drivers and interfaces.
• Develop, design, and implement proof of concepts based on research findings and documents.

Skills

Vulnerability research

Reverse engineering

C/C++ programming

Disassembler tools

Fuzzing techniques

Embedded systems

OS research

Windows/Linux knowledge

Education

B.S. in Computer Science/Engineering or related field

M.S. in related field

Ph.D. in related field

Tools

IDAPro

Ghidra

BinaryNinja

radare2

gdb

WinDbg

OllyDbg

Job description

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance may be available.

Clearance Required for Start: Yes. Clearance Type: Top Secret.

Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time.

Senior Vulnerability Research Engineer – Northrop Grumman, Cincinnati (Xetron). The role focuses on offensive cyber operations, developing cyber hardware and software solutions for military and intelligence customers.

Essential Functions

• Research vulnerabilities and perform reverse engineering on embedded systems.
• Plan and conduct vulnerability analysis on user and kernel mode drivers and interfaces.
• Develop, design, and implement proof of concepts based on research findings and documents.

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field with 12 years of programming experience, OR M.S. with 10 years, OR Ph.D. with 7 years.
• Experience with a disassembler for vulnerability research (IDAPro, Ghidra, BinaryNinja, radare2, etc.).
• Experience programming in C or C++.
• Experience with fuzzing research techniques (AFL++, taint analysis, PIN, Dynamic Memory Instrumentation, etc.).
• US Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret clearance to start.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Top‑Secret clearance.
• Experience finding and developing exploits.
• Experience with assembly languages (x86, x64, ARM, MIPS, etc.).
• Development of disassembler extensions for tools such as IDAPro or Ghidra.
• Low‑level debug tools such as gdb, WinDbg, or OllyDbg.
• Experience researching vulnerabilities on operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, etc.).
• Experience with emulation (Renode, QEMU, etc.).
• Reverse engineering hardware and software such as embedded systems (IoT) and mobile devices.
• Development of software to run in user mode or kernel mode.
• Application of creativity and vision requiring integration of related disciplines.
• Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst (CREA).

Benefits

401(k) matching and personal growth opportunities.

Flexible work arrangement with options for a 9/80 or 4/10 schedule.

9/80 schedule: nine‑hour days Monday‑Thursday, alternate Fridays off.

4/10 schedule: four ten‑hour days Monday‑Thursday, Friday off.

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 – $265,600.00. The range is a general guideline; compensation may vary based on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills, and market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and long‑term incentives for higher leadership levels. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and company performance.

EEO Statement

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.