2027 Graduate - Reverse Engineer - Systems Exploitation

Description

Are you driven to understand how complex systems really work and what happens when you push them beyond how they were intended to operate?

Do you enjoy taking things apart, solving difficult technical puzzles, and discovering vulnerabilities others have overlooked?

We are seeking motivated developers, computer scientists, computer engineers, and cyber researchers to join our team and tackle some of the nation’s most challenging cybersecurity problems.

We perform deep reverse engineering and vulnerability research across software, firmware, hardware, and embedded systems. We discover vulnerabilities, develop novel offensive cyber capabilities, and pioneer new approaches for overcoming sophisticated security protections. Our work spans a wide variety of technologies and problem sets, and we thrive on challenges where the answer is not obvious and the path forward must be invented.

Whether you already have significant reverse engineering experience or are looking to grow your skills alongside experts in the field, you will have opportunities to dig deeply into complex systems and see your technical discoveries translate into real-world impact.

Qualifications

• You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
• Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, or similar.
• Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of vulnerability analysis and reverse engineering of software, hardware, and/or firmware.
• Are able to acquire a Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain TS/SCI level clearance or higher. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
• You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
• Understand the internals of major operating systems, exploitation techniques, and exploit mitigations.
• Have experience reading or writing assembly (x86/x64, Arm, PowerPC, MIPS, or others).
• Understand wire-level protocols and radio frequency communications.
• Have used debuggers such as gdb, WinDbg, or OllyDbg, and you have worked with reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra.
• Enjoy crafting and prototyping hardware, including PCB design and leveraging on-chip instrumentation standards such as JTAG.
• Hold a TS/SCI clearance with full-scope polygraph.
• Have prior experience working with government agencies or in a government agency setting.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact

Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation.

Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually

Responsibilities

• Are you driven to understand how complex systems really work and what happens when you push them beyond how they were intended to operate?
• Do you enjoy taking things apart, solving difficult technical puzzles, and discovering vulnerabilities others have overlooked?

We are seeking motivated developers, computer scientists, computer engineers, and cyber researchers to join our team and tackle some of the nation’s most challenging cybersecurity problems.

We perform deep reverse engineering and vulnerability research across software, firmware, hardware, and embedded systems. We discover vulnerabilities, develop novel offensive cyber capabilities, and pioneer new approaches for overcoming sophisticated security protections. Our work spans a wide variety of technologies and problem sets, and we thrive on challenges where the answer is not obvious and the path forward must be invented.

Whether you already have significant reverse engineering experience or are looking to grow your skills alongside experts in the field, you will have opportunities to dig deeply into complex systems and see your technical discoveries translate into real-world impact.

Qualifications

• You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
• Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, or similar.
• Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of vulnerability analysis and reverse engineering of software, hardware, and/or firmware.
• Are able to acquire a Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain TS/SCI level clearance or higher. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
• You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
• Understand the internals of major operating systems, exploitation techniques, and exploit mitigations.
• Have experience reading or writing assembly (x86/x64, Arm, PowerPC, MIPS, or others).
• Understand wire-level protocols and radio frequency communications.
• Have used debuggers such as gdb, WinDbg, or OllyDbg, and you have worked with reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra.
• Enjoy crafting and prototyping hardware, including PCB design and leveraging on-chip instrumentation standards such as JTAG.
• Hold a TS/SCI clearance with full-scope polygraph.
• Have prior experience working with government agencies or in a government agency setting.