Vulnerability Researcher II

Socket.dev; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

flexible work schedules

Health insurance coverage

401k with a company match

paid time off

paid parental leave

access to wellness programs

Job summary

Research Innovations Inc. in St. Petersburg, FL; Melbourne, FL; and San Antonio, TX is seeking a Security Researcher to independently explore and exploit complex systems, from kernels to embedded platforms, with a Top Secret/SCI clearance.

This full-time role focuses on defense-relevant research with autonomy and real-world impact. Ideal candidates bring strong low-level skills, experience with reverse engineering and vulnerability discovery, and familiarity with tools like IDA, Ghidra, and

Qualifications

• Built a foundation in memory layout, CPU architecture basics (x86/ARM), OS internals.
• Completed coursework, projects, internships, or entry-level work involving reverse engineering or vulnerability discovery.
• Used tools such as IDA, Ghidra, Binary Ninja, or debuggers during academic or practical exercises.

Responsibilities

• Conduct reverse engineering and vulnerability analysis on applications, OS components, and embedded systems with guidance from senior researchers.
• Assist in identifying attack surfaces, analyzing in-memory behavior, and documenting findings.
• Create simple proof-of-concept exploits or scripts to validate discovered vulnerabilities.
• Support research on mobile devices, firmware, and embedded platforms.
• Collaborate closely with teammates, participate in design discussions, and contribute to shared tooling.
• Communicate results clearly to peers and improve documentation.

Skills

Python

C

Reverse engineering

Binary analysis

Vulnerability discovery

Tools

IDA

Ghidra

Binary Ninja

Debuggers

Job description

Position Title: Security Researcher
Location: St. Petersburg, FL | Melbourne, FL | San Antonio, TX
Clearance Requirement: Top Secret/SCI
Employment type: Full Time

Research Innovations Inc. (RII) is redefining defense technology. We combine mission-driven impact with cutting-edge research and a culture that values autonomy, creativity, and technical excellence.

We are seeking security researchers to independently explore and exploit complex systems, from kernels to embedded platforms, to solve the unsolvable. This role combines deep technical problem-solving with real-world impact on defense and homeland security systems.

Get s#it done.

This position requires an Active US Top Secret security clearance, and the ability to upgrade to TS/SCI Special Access Program access

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Conducting reverse engineering and vulnerability analysis on applications, OS components, and embedded systems with guidance from senior researchers.
• Assisting in identifying attack surfaces, analyzing in-memory behavior, and documenting findings.
• Creating simple proof-of-concept exploits or scripts to validate discovered vulnerabilities.
• Supporting research on mobile devices, firmware, and embedded platforms.
• Collaborating closely with teammates, participating in design discussions, and contributing to shared tooling.
• Communicating results clearly to peers and improving documentation.

WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

• Built a strong foundation in low-level systems concepts: memory layout, CPU architecture basics (x86/ARM/MIPS), OS internals, or compiler behavior.
• Completed coursework, projects, internships, or entry-level work involving reverse engineering, binary analysis, or vulnerability discovery.
• Used tools such as IDA, Ghidra, Binary Ninja, or debuggers during academic or practical exercises.
• Written code in Python and at least one compiled language (preferably C).
• Gained familiarity with security fundamentals such as exploit mitigations (ASLR, DEP/NX, stack canaries), cryptographic concepts, and protocol behavior (TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS).
• Demonstrated curiosity and a growth mindset through self-driven learning or personal research projects.

EVEN BETTER

• Experience with malware analysis, symbolic execution, or automated VR pipelines.
• Exposure to mobile OS security (iOS, Android) or RTOS environments.
• Familiarity with software protection/anti-reversing techniques.
• Background with hardware interfaces, embedded boards, or radio/wireless protocols.

REFERRALS

Know someone who would make a great Vulnerability Researcher?

Refer them at www.researchinnovations.com/external-referrals!

At RII, we believe that diversity in our workforce is critical to our success. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. We work to help your intellectual passions and creativity thrive.

It’s one of our core values: Let your geek flag fly.

We also offer all employees comprehensive benefits including:

• flexible work schedules
• health insurance coverage
• paid time off
• 401k with a company match
• paid parental leave
• access to wellness programs
• much more

You get this all from day one, and all paid for by RII.

It’s all part of another of our core values: Stay human.

It’s why our comfortable and colorful offices such as our headquarters, include a community game room, pantry, massage chair, and an escape room, among other amenities.

It’s why we have community ambassadors and regular community events.

• community game room
• pantry
• massage chair
• an escape room
• among other amenities

Research Innovations, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, disability status, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal or local law.