Senior Cyber Tool and Capability Developer

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees tackle national challenges with solutions spanning military defense, space exploration, and biomedical engineering. Our multidisciplinary teams collaborate to drive innovation. For more information about Draper, visit

Draper is actively seeking a Senior Cyber Software Engineer to support cybersecurity, machine learning, and cyber tool development projects across multiple domains supporting the national interest. The role involves design and development of software tools and capabilities, static and dynamic analysis on firmware and software, and mentorship and technical leadership within the Draper Cyber Software team. You will work with a multidisciplinary team applying expertise in embedded systems, compiler theory, threat intelligence, fuzzing, binary analysis, and vulnerability research.

• Assess hardware and software for security vulnerabilities using a breadth of technologies and techniques.
• Develop software that meets behavior and security requirements for tailored applications.
• Integrate software capabilities with other tasks or groups to improve performance or behavior requirements.
• Create new tools and systems to detect and exploit vulnerabilities and system weaknesses.
• Document nominal application and system functionality, in addition to implemented changes.
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction; contribute to requirements development, propose ways forward, and adapt to changes in requirements.
• Provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes across technical disciplines.
• Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Mentor less experienced engineers and provide constructive feedback.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Effective collaboration and communication with program team members, leadership, and non-technical personnel.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple tasks.

Requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or related field.

5-10 years of experience in cybersecurity or related field is required.

• Proficiency in developing custom low-level software tools and integrating them into embedded and non-embedded systems.
• Experience with static and dynamic program analysis tools (e.g., Ghidra, Ida, Binary Ninja, Radare, Angr) and debugging/emulation tools (GDB, winDBG, Qemu).
• Experience with obfuscation or diversification to deter reverse engineering.
• Background in researching and exploiting software vulnerabilities and knowledge of secure coding practices and mitigations.
• Proficiency in C, C++, Python, Go, Rust; experience with compiler tool chains and LLVM passes.
• Experience building high-quality code and mentoring others to coding standards.

• Understanding of operating systems (user/kernel mode, boot processes) in Windows, GNU/Linux, or RTOS contexts.
• Experience with multiple architectures (x86, ARM, RISCV, etc.).

• Experience leading tasks and delegating work; effective planning and communication in diverse situations.
• Ability to present technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience participating in proposal writing and business development.
• Experience with building proposals that result in new business is a plus.

• Experience building reverse engineering automation tools and analysis frameworks.
• Experience applying machine learning to automate cyber software tool development and program analysis.
• History of business winning with successful proposals; background in R&D exploring novel, high-risk concepts.

This role is onsite in Cambridge, MA or Reston, VA. Applicants may be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance; having an existing TS/SCI is preferred.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $82,300.00 - $. Salaries depend on role, level, and location, with variations by location and other factors. Draper provides work-life balance programs, employee clubs, workshops, off-site events, and discounts to local cultural activities. For more information, apply at

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper provides access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request accommodation, contact