Cyber Systems Exploitation Researcher

The Cyber System Assessments Group performs software and hardware reverse engineering, vulnerability research and discovery, and system exploitation. We develop and prototype cutting-edge capabilities for our operational partners in the U.S. government. We look for, find, and demonstrate cyber vulnerabilities so that vulnerabilities in U.S. systems can be corrected, and so that vulnerabilities in other systems are better understood.  Top U.S. Government leadership relies on us for our expert guidance, and our technical role with our U.S. Government sponsors is considered essential to the success of their missions.

Job Overview MIT Lincoln Laboratory Level 5 Technical Staff provide critical multi-domain or new domain innovative research to the Laboratory’s national security mission. They prototype solutions for state-of-the art technology and engage across the program lifecycle, leading projects or major technical work streams in partnership with project and team leaders. As a successful Level 5 Technical Staff candidate, you will lead projects or major technical work streams requiring deep expertise and sound judgment, with the ability to successfully navigate technical complexity.

You will perform independent research to solve complex problems, manage programs and/or lead teams on extraordinary technology prototype efforts, and develop creative new ideas and approaches that support critical mission needs. As a successful Level 5 Technical Staff, you will have deep technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to lead through ambiguity. You will, with ease, effectively connect your technical depth with the Laboratory’s broader program objectives.

Working across multi-disciplinary teams and sponsor-driven efforts, you will efficiently help develop and execute programs, create briefings and reports, and often interface with sponsors. In this role, you are a technical leader, mentoring others, and continuously improving practices within an applicable Group or mission area. You will also guide and mentor Associate Technical Staff, Assistant Technical Staff, and other technical support personnel.

Additional Job Overview Details When you join our team as a Cyber System Exploitation Researcher, you'll be leading the development of cyber security tools and techniques.  You'll be reverse engineering and exploiting software and hardware systems important to U.S. government operations and critical to the defense of our nation. Your main areas of research will include cyber tool prototyping and technical analysis of offensive or defensive cyber tools and systems, automated vulnerability discovery, reverse engineering, software protection mechanisms, static analysis, and dynamic instrumentation.

Once you’re on our team, you will communicate your research to non-domain experts through your writing, public presentations, and hand-on training sessions.

Job Duties & Responsibilities Leads projects or major work streams involving multi-disciplinary design, development, data analysis, programming, prototyping, integration, testing, or transition activities. Applies extensive technical expertise to solve significantly complex problems while effectively evaluating alternative approaches, trade-offs, risks, and mission-driven implications. Within assigned projects or mission areas, consistently influences the technical approach towards mission research, systems/ subsystems, architecture design and integration.

Structures and manages execution of ambiguous work, concisely translating project objectives into actionable technical plans based on nuanced policies and procedures. Mentors others within the Group by consistently reviewing work and providing constructive feedback, offering technical guidance,…