Principal Cybersecurity Researcher

Two Six Technologies

$180K — $289K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced cybersecurity research expertise from a similar technical position.
  • Expertise in low-level programming (C/C++, Assembly) and industry-standard reverse engineering tools.
  • Proven track record in vulnerability research and proof-of-concept exploit development.
  • Extensive experience mentoring and training less experienced staff in technical fields.
  • Demonstrated leadership in complex projects pertaining to reverse engineering or R&D for National Security.
  • Strong capability in delivering clear technical documentation and proposals for diverse audiences.
  • Client-facing experience with solid communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead project planning and execution in reverse engineering and vulnerability research.
  • Solve complex technical challenges and guide team members with mentorship and training.
  • Author detailed technical documentation and white papers to present research findings.
  • Define technical strategies that meet customer needs and support business development.
  • Coordinate tasks and ensure project deliverables align with customer objectives.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
  • Life and disability insurance options.
  • Retirement benefits to help secure your future.
  • Paid leave for work-life balance.
  • Tuition assistance for further education and professional development.
Full Job Description
Two Six Technologies is actively seeking a Principal Cybersecurity Researcher to join our team in Arlington, Virginia. The team is composed of intelligent individuals, passionate about reverse engineering, vulnerability research, and low-level programming. The team is growing and looking for someone with an advanced technical background that has an understanding on how to solve complex challenges and inspire creativity to address a wide range of difficult problems. If you are actively using reverse engineering and vulnerability research tools and frameworks, the team wants to talk to you!

What you will do:
  • Lead the technical planning and execution of projects in reverse engineering and vulnerability research, including task coordination, deliverables, and alignment with customer objectives.
  • Solve complex technical challenges requiring creativity and resourcefulness while providing technical guidance, mentorship, and training to project and functional staff.
  • Author detailed technical documentation, proposal sections, and white papers to communicate research findings and technical solutions to internal teams, stakeholders, and external audiences.
  • Provide direction and develop differentiated technical approaches to ensure customer satisfaction and support ongoing business development opportunities.

What you will need (basic qualifications):
  • Demonstrated expertise in advanced cybersecurity research concepts typically acquired in a similar technical role.
  • Expert-level proficiency in two or more of the following: low-level programming (C/C++, Assembly) and the use of industry-standard disassemblers and decompilers, binary re-hosting frameworks to enable dynamic analysis, and building custom greybox/blackbox fuzzing harnesses.
  • Proven experience in vulnerability research, including attack surface triage, identifying vulnerabilities, and developing proof-of-concept exploits to demonstrate security impact.
  • Extensive experience in technical mentorship and training, with a history of providing thorough solutions to complex problems and guiding less experienced team members.
  • Experience leading complex technical projects in reverse engineering/vulnerability research or R&D for National Security customers.
  • Experience delivering high-quality technical documentation, such as vulnerability research and findings, industry white papers, and competitive proposals, that distills complex cybersecurity concepts for diverse audiences.
  • Experience in a client-facing technical role, demonstrating strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Nice to have (preferred):
  • Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical specialty area.
  • Experience leading technical sections for multi-million-dollar proposals or contributing white papers to support business capture efforts.
  • Experience with embedded systems reverse engineering (e.g., ARM/MIPS architectures, RTOS, bare-metal environments) or cryptographic design principles.
  • Experience with custom fuzzing harness development, binary re-hosting, or accelerated RE/VR tooling.
  • Recognized participation in the external technical community (e.g., presentations, panels, or professional associations).

Security Clearance:
  • Active Top Secret clearance and willingness to obtain and maintain an SCI clearance.

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Two Six Technologies is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive compensation packages that reflect the value we place on our employees and their contributions. We believe in rewarding skills, experience, and performance. Our offerings include but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance and professional development.

The projected salary range listed for this position is annualized. This is a general guideline and not a guarantee of salary. Salary is one component of our total compensation package and the specific salary offered is determined by various factors, including, but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, geographic location, as well as contract specific affordability and organizational requirements.

Salary Range

$180,779-$289,014 USD

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