Vulnerability Researcher, Senior (TS/SCI w/Poly)
Job Description
At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.
Job Description:
Ready for a challenge that will keep you on the edge of cybersecurity? Are you an experienced vulnerability researcher and reverse engineer who thrives in a fast-paced environment working with a collaborative team?
If so, then apply today and be part of a team that supports the United States Cyber Command (USCC), where you will have a significant impact on the mission. Join our team of best-in-industry cyber warriors dedicated to providing superior service in support of national defense objectives.
What You'll Be Doing:
Conduct advanced vulnerability research and reverse engineering on target software and hardware systems to identify exploitable weaknesses for cyberspace capability development.
Perform technical analysis of target platforms, including discovery of zero-day vulnerabilities through fuzzing and code analysis.
Reverse engineer software applications, firmware, and hardware components using disassemblers, debuggers, and binary analysis tools.
Perform vulnerability discovery through automated fuzzing, manual code review, and dynamic/static analysis techniques.
Develop proof-of-concept exploits to validate vulnerability findings and assess operational utility.
Analyze target system architectures, protocols, and security mechanisms to identify attack surfaces and weakness patterns.
Document vulnerability technical details, exploitation methodology, and recommended capability development approaches.
Provide technical intelligence briefs to capability developers on target system weaknesses and exploitation pathways.
Collaborate with capability development teams to translate vulnerability research into operational tools.
Maintain awareness of public vulnerability disclosures, exploit techniques, and adversary tradecraft relevant to target systems.
Conduct limited TDY travel as mission requires.
Minimum Qualifications:
Active TS/SCI with Poly
Bachelor’s degree in related technical field and 8+ years of related professional experience - or - Master's degree and 5+ years of related professional experience
3+ years conducting vulnerability research, reverse engineering, or exploit development
Expert proficiency with disassemblers/decompilers (IDA Pro, Ghidra, Binary Ninja)
Strong understanding of x86/x64/ARM assembly language and processor architectures
Practical experience with debuggers (WinDbg, GDB, LLDB) and dynamic analysis tools
Demonstrated capability discovering vulnerabilities in compiled software (C/C++/Rust applications)
Understanding of common vulnerability classes (memory corruption, logic flaws, race conditions)
Proficiency with fuzzing frameworks (AFL, libFuzzer, Honggfuzz) and corpus management
Strong scripting skills (Python, Ruby, or similar) for automation and analysis
Experience documenting technical research for both technical and operational audiences
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with Windows kernel/driver reverse engineering
Firmware analysis and embedded systems reverse engineering
Network protocol analysis and vulnerability research
Experience with UEFI/BIOS or bootloader security analysis
Published vulnerability research (CVEs, conference presentations, blog posts)
Familiarity with symbolic execution and taint analysis tools
Understanding of offensive cyberspace operations workflows
Security Clearance Requirement:
An active Top Secret SCI w/Polygraph security clearance is required for this position.This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.Salary Range: $125,100.00 - $225,200.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.