Position Title: Senior Vulnerability Researcher
Salary: $156,000 – $234,000 + Performance Bonus
Locations: St. Petersburg, FL; Melbourne, FL; or San Antonio, TX
Setup: Onsite
Relocation Package: Yes (~$5,000 sign-on bonus available)
About the Opportunity
Are you a security researcher who wants to focus entirely on deep technical challenges rather than climbing a corporate management ladder? Our client is looking for a Senior Security Researcher to independently explore, reverse engineer, and exploit complex systems—from kernels and hypervisors to embedded platforms and modern application stacks.
This isn't theoretical research. In this role, you will analyze real-world attack surfaces with full autonomy to drive your own work, directly impacting critical national security missions. Our client’s cyber division is their fastest-growing unit, meaning you'll join a scaling team backed by extensive resources, cutting-edge programs, and room to shape technical direction.
What You’ll Do
Lead VR Efforts: Drive advanced vulnerability research across operating systems, kernels, firmware, hypervisors, embedded platforms, and complex application stacks.
Deconstruct Ambiguity: Independently scope underexplored attack surfaces, moving research from an initial hypothesis through to validated findings with minimal guidance.
Deep Reverse Engineering: Perform comprehensive reverse engineering and in-memory analysis of compiled binaries across multiple architectures (x86/x64, ARM, PowerPC).
Develop Exploits: Design and execute novel exploitation techniques and evaluate mitigations, identifying real-world weaknesses in modern defense mechanisms.
Build Technical Tools: Analyze undocumented or partially documented system behavior, extending internal interfaces and tooling to support research goals.
Collaborate & Mentor: Shape technical direction, review complex work with fellow senior researchers, and foster a strong research culture through knowledge sharing and mentorship.
What We're Looking For
Experience: 5+ years of hands-on vulnerability research and exploit development experience.
Technical Depth: Proven ability to independently explore and exploit complex systems (kernels, firmware, hypervisors, embedded platforms).
Clearance:Active US Top Secret security clearance is required (with the ability to upgrade to TS/SCI SAP). Due to clearance requirements, US Citizenship is mandatory.
Analytical Skills: A track record of producing high-impact findings that influence security decisions and translating low-level technical findings into actionable insights.
Why You Should Join
Stay Technical: Our client explicitly supports your path as a technical authority. "Let your geek flag fly" is a literal core value here—shape research direction and mentor others without being pushed into people management.
Strong Support, Zero Hovering: Benefit from a dedicated senior engineer coach and direct access to the VR Lead and Engineering Director within a tight-knit, 80-person cyber team.
Excellent Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks of PTO, relocation assistance (~$5K sign-on bonus), and a annual performance Christmas bonus worth 12% of your salary (prorated at 1% per month worked in your first year).
A Fast-Moving Process: No months-long interview gauntlet. Expect a streamlined two-round process with offers extended within two business days of completion.