Lead Vulnerability Researcher

About the role

At Two Six Technologies, we build, deploy, and implement innovative products that solve the world’s most complex challenges today. Through unrivaled collaboration and unwavering trust, we push the boundaries of what’s possible to empower our team and support our customers in building a safer global future. The Lead Vulnerability Researcher will join the Communication Systems team in Arlington, Virginia, working on software and firmware reverse engineering to uncover vulnerabilities in wireless and embedded communications systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical planning, task prioritization, and schedule management for a group of reverse engineering and vulnerability research assignments supporting mission-critical government programs.
• Reverse engineer wireless and embedded communications systems to identify security weaknesses, assess their operational impact, and analyze firmware, software protections, and network protocols.
• Develop maintainable proof-of-concept exploits for discovered vulnerabilities following DevOps best practices, while creating and refining custom binary analysis and disassembly tools.
• Work autonomously with latitude for independent judgment, providing technical direction, guidance, and task-level mentorship to CNO developers and team members in a fast-paced environment.
• Support business development and program growth by contributing ideas, technical solutions, and content to proposal development efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s (or higher) degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Extensive experience with programming/scripting languages in C/C++, Python, and Linux command-line environments, with a demonstrated track record of providing thorough solutions to a wide range of difficult technical problems.
• Proven capability in leading technical task execution, managing schedule priorities, and providing technical direction and guidance to team members.
• Extensive hands-on experience in software/firmware reverse engineering and vulnerability research using industry tools such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra.
• Applied domain expertise in one or more core areas: firmware analysis (ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, RTOS), firmware rehosting/emulation (QEMU), fuzzing and exploit development, binary obfuscation/anti-analysis techniques, wireless protocol/RF signal analysis, or fault injection frameworks.
• Active U.S. Security Clearance at the Top Secret level with the ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI.

Skills

• Experience contributing technical content, solutions, and ideas to proposal and business development efforts.
• Experience scripting with the Binary Ninja API or Ghidra plugin framework, and embedded software development in C/C++ for RTOS or Linux environments.
• In-depth knowledge of cryptographic security, secure boot mechanisms, side-channel analysis, and defeating modern exploit mitigations (ASLR, DEP, Stack Canaries).
• Hands-on experience working with hardware debugging tools (JTAG/SWD), software-defined radio (SDR) frameworks, digital signal processing, or client-facing technical demonstrations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid leave
• Tuition assistance
• Professional development

Pay

Salary Range $154,257 - $231,386 USD