Vulnerability Researcher II

Researchinnovations.Com; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Health insurance

Paid time off

401k with company match

Paid parental leave

Wellness programs

Job summary

Research Innovations Inc. seeks a Security Researcher to independently explore and exploit complex systems, from kernels to embedded platforms, for defense tech advancement. You will join a mission-driven, autonomous team delivering practical security insights with real-world impact.

This role requires an active US Top Secret clearance and the ability to upgrade to TS/SCI, with hands-on work across hardware, firmware, and software security domains.

Qualifications

• Active US Top Secret clearance with ability to upgrade to TS/SCI.
• Hands-on reverse engineering and vulnerability analysis experience.
• Experience with embedded systems and hardware interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Conduct reverse engineering and vulnerability analysis on applications, OS components, and embedded systems.
• Identify attack surfaces, analyze in-memory behavior, and document findings.
• Create simple proof-of-concept exploits or scripts to validate vulnerabilities.
• Support research on mobile devices, firmware, and embedded platforms.
• Collaborate closely with teammates, participate in design discussions, and contribute to tooling.
• Communicate results clearly to peers and improve documentation.
• Build a strong foundation in memory layout, CPU architectures (x86/ARM/MIPS), OS internals, or compiler behavior.
• Demonstrate curiosity and a growth mindset through self-driven learning or personal projects.

Skills

Reverse engineering

Python

C

OS internals

Embedded systems

Malware analysis

Security concepts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

IDA

Ghidra

Binary Ninja

Debuggers

Wireshark

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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 and 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.

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.