Senior Security Researcher

Mid-Senior Level | Full-time
Information Technology/Computing | Livermore, CA | 10/26/2026
Reference #: REF
9037X
Job Code: SES.
3 Science & Engineering MTS 3 / SES.
4 Science & Engineering MTS 4
Organization: Computing
Position Type: Flexible Term or Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for a Senior Security Researcher to lead efforts to develop techniques and tools for red teaming in support of the defense of critical infrastructure systems and Federal networks. You will lead and support a range of highly complex security research and red teaming projects, developing and deploying innovative methods to emulate cyber-adversary behavior to help develop tools used to defend critical U.S. infrastructure and networks.

Your expertise will drive the evolution of advanced cyber capabilities, threat analysis, and mitigation strategies for operational technology and industrial control systems. This position is programmatically in the Strategic Threat Analysis and Response (STAR) organization and administratively in the Global Security Computing Applications Division (GS-CAD) within the Computing Directorate.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Guide and support advanced cyber research projects leveraging creative and automated methods to identify vulnerabilities in software, firmware, and operational technology systems.
• Collaborate in the development of technical requirements for red team operations, penetration testing, and adversarial simulation capabilities at LLNL.
• Analyze and assess novel software, firmware, and malware to uncover weaknesses, malicious behavior, and potential attack vectors, creating repeatable workflows to support future red team engagements.
• Conduct in-depth source code, binary, and firmware analysis to identify exploitable vulnerabilities and develop proof‑of‑concept exploits and mitigations.
• Participate in the design and implementation of new tools and techniques for vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and adversary emulation to advance the understanding and mitigation of threats to operational technology.
• Identify emerging threats and opportunities for enhancing cyber defense and red team capabilities, helping shape the technical direction of LLNL’s cybersecurity initiatives.
• Engage with sponsors and stakeholders to develop new program growth opportunities, contribute to research proposals, and ensure alignment with mission objectives.
• Drive and execute innovative ideas and approaches to meet sponsor and project needs in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
• Mentor and collaborate with team members, utilizing your technical expertise to attract and retain projects, programs, and funding.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.
4 level

• Dire…