Vulnerability Researcher

Apple Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 139,500 - 258,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Discounted products and free services

Tuition reimbursement

Discretionary bonuses or commission payments

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Seattle, Washington, is seeking experts passionate about security to join their Security Engineering & Architecture team. The role involves conducting vulnerability research, analyzing, and exploiting vulnerabilities in Apple's software and hardware across all products.

The ideal candidate has a proven background in vulnerability research, strong analytical skills, and effective problem-solving abilities. Apple offers a competitive salary ranging from $139,500 to $258,100, alongside comprehensive benefits and opportunities for employee stock participation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in vulnerability research and binary exploitation.
• Excellent understanding of common vulnerability classes and exploitation techniques.
• Creative & effective problem‑solving and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct vulnerability research on Apple software, firmware, and hardware.
• Analyze and exploit vulnerabilities in various systems.
• Collaborate with teams and vendors across Apple’s product range.

Skills

Vulnerability research

Binary exploitation

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Strong communication skills

Tools

IDA Pro

Ghidra

C

C++

Python

Swift

Objective-C

Job description

Seattle, Washington, United States Software and Services

Apple's Security Engineering & Architecture organization is responsible for the security of all Apple products. Passionate about safeguarding our users, we believe that the best defense requires a great offense. When it comes to securing more than a billion devices running the world's most sophisticated operating systems, that means finding vulnerabilities first. Can you make a difference on this scale? Join our extraordinary team of security researchers and help protect all Apple users.

Description

Our team is dedicated to safeguarding Apple products, encompassing everything from the microarchitecture to applications like Safari, Mail, and Messages. Our responsibilities include evaluating the security of iOS and macOS (kernel and user‑land), boot ROMs, firmware, and hardware. By collaborating with a diverse range of teams and vendors, your influence will be felt across Apple’s products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

As a team member, your primary role will involve conducting vulnerability research on Apple software, firmware, and hardware components. Analyzing and exploiting vulnerabilities is a crucial aspect of this position. This role demands individuals with robust technical skills and a genuine passion for securing systems by demonstrating their vulnerabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Proven experience in vulnerability research and binary exploitation
• Excellent understanding of common vulnerability classes and exploitation techniques
• Creative & effective problem‑solving and analytical skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent knowledge of the security architecture of at least one complex operating system.
• Knowledge of macOS/iOS is nice‑to‑have, but not required.
• Experience with reverse‑engineering tools (IDA Pro, Ghidra, etc.) and techniques
• Familiarity with tool development, using programming languages such as C, C++, Python, Swift, Objective‑C

Compensation & Benefits

The base pay range for this role is between $139,500 and $258,100, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

You’ll also receive benefits including comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Accessibility

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.