Cybersecurity Reverse Engineer

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$110,700 - $170,556 Annually

$110,700 - $142,128 Annually for the SES.1 level

$132,810 - $170,556 Annually for the SES.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have multiple openings for Cybersecurity Reverse Engineers with an emphasis on software assurance. You will contribute to research projects in the area of cybersecurity for critical infrastructure systems and civilian networks. You will leverage LLNL’s software assurance capabilities to enhance the security of software and firmware that resides in our critical networks and industrial control systems devices. These positions are programmatically in Global Security’s Energy and Homeland Security (E) Program and administratively in the Global Security Computing Applications Division (GS-CAD) within the Computing Directorate.

This position will be filled at either SES.1 or SES.2 level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will

• Perform static and dynamic analysis of binaries, firmware and source code to find inefficiencies and bugs.
• Collaborate on the development and implementation of new tools for automated software assurance analysis.
• Reverse engineer software, firmware and malware binaries.
• Interpret results of software analysis and ensure validity and security of software and software updates.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Participate on multidisciplinary teams in the areas of software assurance for critical infrastructure cyber security, information security, and network security. Continue building LLNL’s software assurance capability.
• Suggest program development opportunities by co-authoring proposals and proposing ideas that will address sponsor needs, as well as identify program growth opportunities for existing customers that show an understanding of the customer space and needs.
• Present results across multi-discipline projects.

• Ability to maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Software engineering experience in C, C++, or Python.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in program analysis of source code, binaries, or firmware.
• Experience with hardware or software debuggers and/or with static disassemblers and decompilers.
• Ability to effectively manage concurrent technical tasks with contending priorities, as well as approach difficult problems with enthusiasm and creativity to change focus when necessary.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate comprehensive knowledge effectively across multi-disciplinary teams and to non-cyber experts and the interpersonal skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Broad software engineering experience and advanced knowledge of and experience with software assurance.
• Knowledge of instruction set architectures, such as ARM, x86/x64, PowerPC and/or MIPS.
• Ability to work independently while effectively managing concurrent technical tasks with competing priorities.
• Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written skills necessary to collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information, and provide advice to management.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Understanding of and/or experience with formal verification methods; experience with firmware extraction from devices; and/or industrial control systems software and hardware.
• Knowledge of one or more of the following Computer Science disciplines: parallel programming, embedded systems, high performance computing, scientific data analysis, machine learning, systems programming, software engineering, and big data technologies.

#LI-Hybrid

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values 
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.