Internship – Reverse Engineer – Systems Exploitation

Are you a creative and inventive engineer who loves to understand how things work? Are you interested in reverse engineering and exploiting software and hardware devices? We are seeking motivated developers, computer scientists, computer engineers, and cyber researchers who are passionate about advancing the field of cybersecurity! The Systems Exploitation team performs vulnerability research, develops novel cyber capabilities, and pioneers groundbreaking approaches to defeat sophisticated security protections.

As an intern in the Systems Exploitation group, you may...

• Exploit hardware, firmware, and software
• Reverse engineer embedded systems
• Collaborate with teammates to identify vulnerabilities or security weaknesses stemming from publicly disclosed information or previously unknown vulnerabilities
• Aid in the development of proof-of-concept capabilities or extend existing capabilities
• Explore techniques for automating binary analysis and reverse engineering
• Learn from experts in software development, reverse engineering, and vulnerability analysis

Interns typically work as part of a larger team and are given tasking scoped to match the duration of their stay. At the end of the internship, each intern prepares a short presentation highlighting their work and project contributions.

You meet our minimum qualifications if you are...

• Pursing a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Proficient with programming languages such as C, C++, Python, Rust
• Familiar with reverse engineering tools, software debuggers, and/or static analysis tools (Ghidra, IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, Windbg, gdb, etc)
• Comfortable with Linux/Unix operating systems
• Familiar with one or more assembly languages (x86/x64, ARM, MIPS, etc.)
• Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and ultimately a final TS/SCI Clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You will go above and beyond if you are also familiar with…

• Basic exploitation techniques such as buffer overflows and command injections
• Experience with Capture the Flag exercises and/or hackathons
• Windows, Linux, Android, and/or iOS internals
• Cross compiling tool chains for embedded devices
• Experience with hardware design or development (e.g., digital circuits, FPGAs, or embedded systems)
• Familiarity with hardware interfaces and protocols such as IC, SPI, and JTAG
• Experience working with RF systems (e.g., wireless communications, software-defined radio, or RF debugging tools)
• Symbolic execution engines such as angr

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area.

Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for…