Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

2027 Graduate - Reverse Engineer - Systems Exploitation

Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, or similar.
  • Skilled in vulnerability analysis and reverse engineering of software, hardware, and/or firmware.
  • Ability to acquire a Secret level security clearance by start date; eligibility for TS/SCI or higher.
  • Understanding of internals of major operating systems and related exploitation techniques (preferred).
  • Experience with assembly languages (x86/x64, Arm, PowerPC, MIPS, etc.) (preferred).
  • Familiarity with wire-level protocols and radio frequency communications (preferred).
  • Hands-on experience with debugging tools (gdb, WinDbg, OllyDbg) and reverse engineering tools (IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, Ghidra) (preferred).

Responsibilities

  • Conduct deep investigations of software, hardware, and firmware.
  • Perform vulnerability research to identify weaknesses in systems.
  • Develop novel cyber capabilities to counter advanced security measures.
  • Create innovative solutions for prototype and operational systems.
  • Present findings and ideas to technical staff, management, and government officials.
  • Engage in collaborative efforts with interdisciplinary teams at APL.
  • Participate in working groups, conferences, customer meetings, and proposal writing.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to collaborate with experts in multiple disciplines such as AI, biotechnology, and space exploration.
  • Encouragement for professional development through conferences and proposal writing participation.
  • Supportive team environment fostering diverse perspectives and knowledge sharing.
Full Job Description
Are you curious about how systems work, where they are vulnerable, and how they behave when they break?

Are you passionate about developing solutions to complex engineering challenges?

We are seeking motivated developers, computer scientists, computer engineers, and cyber researchers who are passionate about advancing the field of cybersecurity. Specifically, we are searching for candidates with interest and experience in software, hardware, and/or firmware reverse engineering. We work hard to build a team with a variety of perspectives and experiences to tackle cross-discipline problem sets.

The Systems Exploitation team performs vulnerability research, develops novel cyber capabilities, and pioneers groundbreaking approaches to defeat sophisticated security protections. As a member of our team, you will perform deep investigation of software, hardware, and firmware. You will build forward-thinking solutions for prototype and operational systems. You will gain experience and articulate your ideas in papers and presentations to technical staff, management, and government decision makers. We strongly encourage our team to take advantage of opportunities to participate in working groups, customer meetings, proposal writing, and conferences. As a multidisciplinary research center, APL also encourages collaboration across disciplines, giving you the opportunity to work alongside world-class experts in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space exploration, radio communications, and additive manufacturing.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, or similar.
  • Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of vulnerability analysis and reverse engineering of software, hardware, and/or firmware.
  • Are able to acquire a Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain TS/SCI level clearance or higher. 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 our minimum requirements if you...
  • Understand the internals of major operating systems, exploitation techniques, and exploit mitigations.
  • Have experience reading or writing assembly (x86/x64, Arm, PowerPC, MIPS, or others).
  • Understand wire-level protocols and radio frequency communications.
  • Have used debuggers such as gdb, WinDbg, or OllyDbg, and you have worked with reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra.
  • Enjoy crafting and prototyping hardware, including PCB design and leveraging on-chip instrumentation standards such as JTAG.
  • Hold a TS/SCI clearance with full-scope polygraph.
  • Have prior experience working with government agencies or in a government agency setting.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually

About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a research and development organization that provides solutions to national security and scientific challenges. The laboratory was founded in 1942 and is located in Laurel, Maryland. APL is a division of the Johns Hopkins University and is a not-for-profit organization. The laboratory has expertise in a variety of areas, including space exploration, national security, and healthcare.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
Size
7,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1942

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