Principal Firmware Reverse Engineer 3 - (Reverse Engineering, Firmware, AI)

Akina, Inc.$232K — $283K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Hands-on experience with reverse engineering tools such as Ghidra or IDA Pro.
  • Strong understanding of low-level software concepts like assembly and binaries.
  • Experience developing software tools or scripts for analysis.
  • Proficient in at least one scripting or programming language used in reverse engineering.
  • Ability to prototype and refine experimental tooling.
  • Curiosity about AI/LLM and eagerness to learn on the job.

Responsibilities

  • Design and implement enhancements to support firmware and software reverse engineering.
  • Experiment with autonomous agents to aid development.
  • Integrate or enhance existing tools like Ghidra for better functionality.
  • Automate common tasks such as analysis and documentation.
  • Apply AI techniques to binary analysis and pattern recognition.
  • Collaborate with team members and customers for feedback on solutions.
  • Measure and document the effectiveness of tooling improvements.

Benefits

  • 24 days of PTO accrued annually and 11 federal holidays off.
  • 401k with 100% vesting on start date and 10% direct company contribution.
  • 100% healthcare coverage for employees and 50% for dependents.
  • Educational assistance for college classes and job-related training costs covered.
Full Job Description
Principal Firmware Reverse Engineer 3 - (Reverse Engineering, Firmware, AI)

Clearance: TS/SCI - Polygraph required
Position ID: 20-25-005-SWE3
Location: Annapolis Junction, Maryland

Description:

This Software Engineer will focus on improving the tools and workflows used by reverse engineers. The role involves enabling automation and AI-assisted capabilities for reverse engineering tasks, with a focus on binary analysis, disassembly, and workflow optimization for complex software and device platforms.
  • Design and implement tooling enhancements to support reverse engineering workflows for firmware, embedded systems, and application software.
  • Experiment with autonomous or semi-autonomous agents to assist with development workflows.
  • Extend or integrate reverse engineering tools such as Ghidra.
  • Develop automation for common reverse engineering tasks, including analysis and documentation.
  • Apply AI-assisted techniques to binary analysis, annotation, and pattern identification.
  • Collaborate with customers and teammates to gather feedback and iterate on solutions.
  • Measure and document the effectiveness of tooling improvements.

Position Required Skills:
  • Hands-on experience with reverse engineering tools such as Ghidra or IDA Pro.
  • Strong understanding of low-level software concepts (assembly, binaries, memory, calling conventions).
  • Experience developing software tools, scripts, or plugins to support analysis workflows.
  • Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language commonly used in RE workflows.
  • Ability to prototype, evaluate, and refine experimental tooling.
  • AI/LLM curious and ready to learn on-the-job; familiar with AI/LLM and interested in taking their skills to the next level.

Nice to Haves
  • Experience reverse engineering Linux-based network devices or embedded systems.
  • Experience reverse engineering network traffic and web applications.
  • Familiarity with firmware analysis, bootloaders, and networking protocols.
  • Experience applying automation or AI techniques to reverse engineering tasks.
  • Knowledge of Python or similar scripting languages used in RE tooling.
  • Knowledge of agentic AI frameworks or orchestration systems.

SWE3 Qualifications:

YOE Requirement: 12 yrs., B.S. in a technical discipline or 4 additional yrs. in place of B.S.

Salary Range: **$232k-$283k (Annually)

**The range displayed above is a likely salary range for this position. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possible contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Akina is a Woman Owned, Service Disabled, Veteran Owned, Small Business, looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join our team. We offer a generous compensation package that includes 24 days PTO accrued annually and 11 federal holidays. Our 401k is 100% vested on your start date and the company makes a direct contribution worth 10% of your salary. Akina covers 100% of healthcare costs for employees and 50% toward dependents. We offer educational assistance towards college classes and will cover costs associated with job related training and certifications.

www.akina-inc.com/careers

About Akina, Inc.

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Joining Akina, Inc. presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a leading team of professionals dedicated to pioneering innovation and leadership in the industry. Akina, Inc. stands out as a beacon of growth and diversity, offering a range of job opportunities that cater to ambitious individuals looking to make a significant impact.

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The culture at Akina, Inc. is built on a foundation of respect and inclusivity, ensuring a supportive workplace where ideas thrive and innovation flourishes. Employees enjoy a competitive package of benefits that underscores the company’s commitment to their well-being and professional growth.

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