Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Reverse Engineer / Cyber Capabilities Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab$100K — $245K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar field
  • 1+ year of relevant professional experience
  • Familiar with software debuggers and static analysis tools like Ghidra, IDA, Binary Ninja
  • Proficient in one or more programming languages
  • Experience in reading/writing assembly
  • Understanding of Unix/Linux operating systems and embedded systems toolchains
  • Possess an active Secret-level security clearance, with ability to attain Top Secret clearance

Responsibilities

  • Reverse engineer mission-relevant systems to uncover vulnerabilities and create exploits
  • Collaborate in specialized labs for foreign materiel and embedded systems
  • Work with experts in missile defense, space, and maritime systems
  • Partner with government agencies to develop offensive cyber capabilities
  • Explore automation techniques for reverse engineering
  • Propose innovative technical approaches and research directions
  • Contribute to a culture of continuous learning and teamwork

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on national security challenges
  • Access to state-of-the-art labs and resources
  • Collaboration with leading experts in various fields
  • Possibility for professional growth and technical leadership
  • Supportive environment for continuous learning and mentorship
Full Job Description
Description

Ready to take your reverse engineering skills to the next level? Our elite team of reverse engineers is growing, and we're looking for engineers who are excited to dive deep into complex embedded systems, discover vulnerabilities, and build offensive cyber capabilities that solve real-world national security challenges.

Our team specializes in software and hardware reverse engineering, vulnerability research, and offensive cyber capability development. We believe the best solutions start with curious minds, multi-disciplinary expertise, and technical ingenuity. If you're eager to grow alongside world-class experts while tackling problems that others consider impossible, we'd love to have you join our team at APL!

As a member of our group, you will...
  • Reverse engineer mission-relevant systems, discover vulnerabilities, and develop innovative exploits
  • Collaborate with teammates in custom laboratories purpose-built for foreign materiel, telecommunications infrastructure, and other embedded systems
  • Work alongside APL experts in domains such as missile defense, space, and maritime systems to understand the operational significance of your reverse engineering discoveries
  • Partner directly with government sponsors across multiple agencies to build mission-aligned offensive cyber capabilities
  • Explore novel techniques for automating reverse engineering and exploit development
  • Shape the future of our work by proposing new technical approaches and pioneering new research directions
  • Contribute to a culture of continuous learning by sharing your perspective, learning from others, and helping teammates grow

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or another field relevant to the duties as described above
  • At least 1 year of relevant professional experience
  • Are skilled with software debuggers and static analysis tools such as Ghidra, IDA, and Binary Ninja
  • Are proficient with one or more programming languages
  • Have experience reading and writing assembly
  • Understand Unix/Linux operating systems and embedded systems development toolchains
  • Love solving puzzles and have experience persevering through technical challenges
  • Possess an active Secret level security clearance, are able to obtain a Top Secret clearance by your start date, and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI + polygraph 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'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Previously held dynamic technical leadership roles and have demonstrated mentoring experience
  • Have experience applying AI systems to reverse engineering, vulnerability research, or exploit development
  • Have knowledge of advanced vulnerability discovery tools
  • Have experience with hardware debugging interfaces, code security mechanisms and their weaknesses, hardware diagnostic tools, and signal/protocol analysis
  • Possess an active TS/SCI clearance with full scope polygraph

Minimum Rate

$100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$245,000 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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