Hardware Reverse Engineer Security Clearance

Position: Hardware Reverse Engineer with Security Clearance
Job Title:

Hardware Reverse Engineer SME

Location:

Arlington, VA (On-Site) Clearance:
Active TS/SCI Required Company:
Quantum Science Solutions (QSS) Compensation:
Open Rate

Position Overview Quantum Science Solutions (QSS) is seeking a highly experienced Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Hardware Reverse Engineer to support mission-critical cyber incident response operations for Federal agencies and critical infrastructure organizations experiencing sophisticated cyberattacks. This role provides specialized expertise in hardware reverse engineering, embedded systems analysis, operational technology (OT), and industrial control systems (ICS) security to support forensic investigations, malware analysis, threat characterization, and remediation efforts.

The selected candidate will focus on the analytical and investigative aspects of hardware forensics, supporting investigations where adversaries have embedded malicious capabilities within firmware, hardware components, network-edge devices, and critical infrastructure systems. Working alongside incident responders, researchers, engineers, and cybersecurity professionals, this individual will help identify exploitation methods, uncover hardware-based threats, and develop defensive strategies to protect critical systems and infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities
• Conduct comprehensive hardware reverse engineering of Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control System (ICS) devices.
• Analyze compromised network-edge devices, embedded systems, and proprietary hardware targeted by advanced threat actors.
• Perform reverse engineering, failure analysis, vulnerability analysis, and hardware research to identify exploitation risks and system weaknesses.
• Identify, analyze, and extract deeply embedded malware from hardware and firmware components.
• Reverse engineer firmware and low-level software operating on embedded devices and specialized hardware platforms.
• Analyze proprietary communication protocols and embedded system functionality to understand adversary tactics and system vulnerabilities.
• Identify hardware backdoors, implants, malicious modifications, and indicators of compromise.
• Support forensic investigations in environments where traditional endpoint detection and response (EDR) visibility is unavailable or limited.
• Collaborate with research teams to leverage advanced analytical capabilities and emerging hardware analysis techniques.
• Utilize and enhance system emulation capabilities to support hardware analysis, malware research, and vulnerability assessments.
• Develop and document hardware forensic methodologies, exploitation techniques, defensive countermeasures, and standard operating procedures.
• Train cybersecurity analysts on hardware reverse engineering techniques, tools, and investigative methodologies.
• Provide expert consultation on hardware security, embedded systems vulnerabilities, and edge device protection strategies.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers and technical specialists on chip-off forensics and advanced hardware analysis activities.
• Provide reach-back technical support to operational analysts during active cyber investigations and incident response operations.
• Contribute to research initiatives focused on emerging hardware threats, embedded malware, and critical infrastructure security.
• Prepare technical reports, intelligence products, and stakeholder briefings documenting investigative findings and recommended mitigations. Mandatory Skills
• U.S. Citizenship
• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Ability to obtain DHS Suitability
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in hardware reverse engineering, embedded systems analysis, or related disciplines.
• Deep expertise with Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) hardware platforms and associated vulnerabilities.
• Strong experience analyzing novel, proprietary, or undocumented hardware systems.
• Extensive experience performing firmware reverse engineering and low-level software analysis.
• Proficiency with reverse engineering tools including: IDA Pro, Ghidra, Binary Ninja
• Deep understanding of embedded processor…