Cyber Software Engineer

Relocation Assistance:
Relocation assistance may be available.

Clearance Required for Start:
Yes. Clearance Type:
Top Secret.

Travel:
Yes, 10% of the Time.

Senior Vulnerability Research Engineer – Northrop Grumman, Cincinnati (Xetron). The role focuses on offensive cyber operations, developing cyber hardware and software solutions for military and intelligence customers.

• Research vulnerabilities and perform reverse engineering on embedded systems.
• Plan and conduct vulnerability analysis on user and kernel mode drivers and interfaces.
• Develop, design, and implement proof of concepts based on research findings and documents.

• B.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field with 12 years of programming experience, OR M.S. with 10 years, OR Ph.D. with 7 years.
• Experience with a disassembler for vulnerability research (IDAPro, Ghidra, Binary Ninja, radare2, etc.).
• Experience programming in C or C++.
• Experience with fuzzing research techniques (AFL++, taint analysis, PIN, Dynamic Memory Instrumentation, etc.).
• US Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret clearance to start.

• Active Top‑Secret clearance.
• Experience finding and developing exploits.
• Experience with assembly languages (x86, x64, ARM, MIPS, etc.).
• Development of disassembler extensions for tools such as IDAPro or Ghidra.
• Low‑level debug tools such as gdb, Win Dbg, or Olly Dbg.
• Experience researching vulnerabilities on operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, etc.).
• Experience with emulation (Renode, QEMU, etc.).
• Reverse engineering hardware and software such as embedded systems (IoT) and mobile devices.
• Development of software to run in user mode or kernel mode.
• Application of creativity and vision requiring integration of related disciplines.
• Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst (CREA).

401(k) matching and personal growth opportunities.

Flexible work arrangement with options for a 9/80 or 4/10 schedule.

9/80 schedule: nine‑hour days Monday‑Thursday, alternate Fridays off.

4/10 schedule: four ten‑hour days Monday‑Thursday, Friday off.

Primary Level Salary Range: $ – $. The range is a general guideline; compensation may vary based on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills, and market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and long‑term incentives for higher leadership levels. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and company performance.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit  U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.