Senior Cybersecurity Research Scientist

About the Role

Cyber Research Scientist – Maximus supports applied cybersecurity research across the DoW market, advancing innovative tools, techniques, and mitigation strategies to counter emerging cyber threats. The role focuses on researching emerging cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and defensive techniques to inform mission planning, prototype development, and operational risk mitigation in classified environments. This position is contingent upon award.

Responsibilities

• Research emerging cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation techniques relevant to DoW missions.
• Develop security tools, techniques, and proof‑of‑concept solutions.
• Conduct malware analysis, vulnerability, and reverse‑engineering research.
• Perform threat modeling and assess mitigation strategies.
• Produce technical reports, research artifacts, and briefings to support operational decision making.

Internal Job Profile Code: TCS053, T5, Band 8.

Requirements

• Active Top Secret / SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance.
• M.S. in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related technical field.
• 7+ years of cybersecurity research experience.
• Peer‑reviewed cybersecurity research publications or conference presentations.
• Experience with reverse engineering tools (e.g., Ghidra, IDA Pro, Binary Ninja).
• Experience with malware analysis frameworks and sandbox environments.
• Experience with vulnerability research and exploit analysis tooling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related technical field.
• Experience supporting DoW or national security cyber research efforts.
• Advanced expertise in reverse engineering, exploit development, or post‑exploitation research.
• Prior experience working within classified cyber research or innovation units.

Pay

Minimum Salary $140,000.00; Maximum Salary $180,000.00. Compensation includes base salary plus short‑ and long‑term incentives, program‑specific awards, and a comprehensive total‑compensation package.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Paid holidays and paid time off.
• Short‑ and long‑term incentive programs.
• Program‑specific awards.