Staff Security Research Engineer

Proofpoint; Illinois; Remote; USD 162,000 - 239,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cybersecurity firm is seeking a Security Research Engineer to develop innovative software solutions for detecting threats. You will work collaboratively in a remote environment and utilize skills in threat research, Python programming, and network analysis. If you enjoy tackling challenges presented by threat actors and developing countermeasures, this position is ideal for you. This role offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Flexible work environment

Comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• Ability to write production-grade Python code with observability.
• Experience analyzing TLS and HTTP protocols.
• Passion for understanding threat actor techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop software using Python.
• Maintain UI for threat researchers.
• Analyze JavaScript for browser fingerprinting.

Skills

Threat research

Python programming

Web browser automation

Network traffic analysis

Docker

Tools

Chrome WebDriver

IDA Pro

Ghidra

Job description

About Us:

We are the leader in human-centric cybersecurity. Half a million customers, including 87 of the Fortune 100, rely on Proofpoint to protect their organizations. We’re driven by a mission to stay ahead of bad actors and safeguard the digital world. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

How We Work:

At Proofpoint, you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity, guided by our BRAVE core values: Bold in how we dream and innovate, Responsive to feedback, challenges, and opportunities, Accountable for results and best-in-class outcomes, Visionary in future-focused problem-solving, Exceptional in execution and impact.

Corporate Overview

Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity company protecting organizations’ greatest assets and biggest risks: vulnerabilities in people. With an integrated suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint helps companies around the world stop targeted threats, safeguard their data, and make their users more resilient against cyber-attacks. Leading organizations of all sizes, including more than half of the Fortune 1000, rely on Proofpoint for people-centric security and compliance solutions mitigating their most critical risks across email, the cloud, social media, and the web. We are singularly devoted to helping our customers protect their greatest assets and biggest security risk: their people. That’s why we’re a leader in next-generation cybersecurity. Protection Starts with People.

Staff Security Research Engineer

Your day-to-day

• Design and develop software using a variety of languages, primarily Python, with little external guidance, while providing technical leadership to guide other software engineers on the team
• Modify existing web-based UI for internal tools to maintain and extend the sandbox submission and report UI for Proofpoint threat researchers to use
• Write C or C++ for low level interactions with the OS as needed
• Develop and maintain web browser interaction capabilities using Chrome WebDriver
• Analyze and reverse engineer JavaScript that fingerprints web browser artifacts to identify sandbox web browsers or instrumentation, and innovate solutions to defeat those checks
• Familiarity with analyzing web front-end and the Document Object Model (DOM)
• Develop and maintain software for processing network traffic, including TLS decryption and processing PCAP files
• Work closely with threat analysts and detection engineers who research threat actors and write detection rules which run on the systems you develop
• As needed, create new detection languages and systems that allow threat researchers to develop detection rules
• Add features to existing threat detection languages to allow greater flexibility by threat researchers to automate interactions with websites and detect threat patterns
• Make use of AI Large Language Models as appropriate to enhance threat detection pipelines, produce samples to test evasion countermeasures, and make sound decisions about when applying AI is a benefit vs. a detriment to achieving goals
• Design and develop automation pipelines to turn manual tasks into automated scripts
• Stay abreast of a constantly evolving threat landscape
• Understand the latest tactics, techniques, and procedures used by threat actors to bypass detection environments, especially URL sandbox fingerprinting, detection, and evasion techniques used by threat actors
• As needed, provide expert assistance and support to threat researchers and analysts as they analyze phishing websites, threat detection evasion techniques, and security research or red team demonstrations of new evasion techniques
• As needed to support sandbox countermeasure development, reverse engineering malware executable files for Windows (note: primary malware reverse engineering responsibilities rest on other job roles and are not expected regularly for this role).
• Apply critical thinking skills to identify the most efficient and effective way to mitigate threats and evasions
• Work effectively as part of a remote team using chat, video chat and conference calls
• Work with other engineering teams, defining requirements, for continuous improvement of critical detection capabilities

What you bring to the team

As a Security Research Engineer on Proofpoint’s Threat Research team, you’ll be part of an amazing, collaborative, industry-leading team focused on tracking threat actors, malware, phishing, and TTPs and responding to the quickly changing threat landscape with innovative software that detects and prevents threats from reaching Proofpoint customers. If you enjoy keeping abreast of and analyzing attacker techniques, malware and phishing campaigns, and using that knowledge to counteract those threats with innovative software solutions, then this is the role for you.

• A passion for threat research and a well-rounded yet deep understanding of the security threat landscape and actor TTPs, especially understanding how to develop countermeasures for threat actor evasions and sandbox detection techniques
• Ability to write production-grade, reliable Python code with instrumentation that supports observability and monitoring of performance and errors is required
• Experience developing software using Docker containers is required
• Experience developing web browser automation is required
• Experience analyzing network traffic for threat detection and a solid understanding of TLS, HTTP, and other network protocols used by malware is required
• Willing and able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a distributed team of industry-leading security researchers
• Ability to perform the above in a fully remote work environment

The following skills and experience are nice to have, but candidates lacking them should still apply:

• Experience with C and C++ is a plus
• Experience developing Windows API hooks and knowing how to research undocumented Windows API internal functions is a plus
• Experience writing malware behavior signatures
• Some experience analyzing malware using a debugger, and willingness to learn is a plus
• Experience with statically reverse engineering malware using IDA Pro, Ghidra, Binary Ninja, or other reverse engineering tools is a plus, although being an expert is not required
• Ability to accurately interpret the forensic output of dynamic analysis (sandbox) environments
• Experience with a variety of publicly-available malware sandboxes (for example: Cuckoo, Joe Sandbox, Any Run, Triage, etc.)

Additional Information

• Travel: 1% - 10% (flexible) mainly for team collaboration or security conferences
• Location: Canada (Remote), US (Remote), Argentina (Remote), UK (Remote), Ireland (Remote), Germany (Remote), France (Remote), Switzerland (Remote)
• Must be able to work during business hours local to your time-zone

Why Proofpoint

As a customer focused and driven-to-win organization with leading edge products, there are many exciting reasons to join the Proofpoint team. We believe in hiring the best the brightest and cultivating a culture of collaboration and appreciation. As we continue to grow and expand globally, we understand that hiring the right people and developing great teams is key to our success. We are a multi-national company with locations in many countries, with each location contributing to Proofpoint’s amazing culture. We are committed to pay transparency and equitable compensation. #LI-AN1

Why Proofpoint? At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love working with us:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits
• Learning & Development: We are committed to the growth and development of our team members, offering a range of programs including leadership and professional development workshops, stretch project assignments, and mentoring opportunities to help employees reach their full potential.
• Flexible work environment: Remote options, hybrid schedules, flexible hours, etc.
• Annual wellness and community outreach days
• Always on recognition for your contributions
• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

Our Culture:

Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to [e-mail]. How to Apply Interested? Submit your application here https://www.proofpoint.com/us/company/careers. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Consistent with Proofpoint values and applicable law, we provide information to promote pay transparency and equity. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee. This role may be eligible for variable compensation and/or equity. We offer a competitive benefits package, including flexible time off, a comprehensive well-being program with two paid Wellbeing Days and two paid Volunteer Days per year, plus a three-week Work from Anywhere option.

Base Pay Ranges

SF Bay Area, New York City Metro Area: Base Pay Range: 194,475.00 - 285,230.00 USD

California (excludes SF Bay Area), Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington DC Metro, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Alaska: Base Pay Range: 162,375.00 - 238,150.00 USD

All other cities and states excluding those listed above: Base Pay Range: 148,425.00 - 217,690.00 USD