Responsibilities Include
Conducting vulnerability research and reverse engineering of commercial drones, embedded firmware, flight controllers, and supporting software
Identifying, analyzing, and validating software and hardware vulnerabilities, including developing proof-of-concept exploits
Performing static and dynamic analysis of embedded firmware, binaries, and communications protocols
Investigating command and control, telemetry, navigation, and other interfaces to identify security-relevant behaviors and attack surfaces
Discovering interesting edge cases, undocumented functionality, and exploitable conditions (including designing experiments specifically targeted at teasing these out)
Designing and assembling hardware and software test harnesses for lab-based experimentation, debugging, and vulnerability validation
Developing and adapting tools for firmware analysis, fuzzing, debugging, instrumentation, and automated vulnerability discovery
Researching system security mechanisms, including authentication, encryption, secure boot, firmware updates, and hardware protections
Scripting/automating reverse engineering, testing, and experimental activities where possible
Developing and demonstrating proof-of-concept capabilities in controlled laboratory environments
Critically analyzing, interpreting, documenting, and communicating technical findings and experimental results
Minimum Qualifications
Active TS/SCI security clearance
Ability to work onsite at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience
Demonstrated experience with software or firmware reverse engineering, particularly embedded systems
Experience identifying, analyzing, and validating software vulnerabilities, including developing proof-of-concept exploits
Strong programming and scripting experience in Python and/or C/C++
Experience with reverse engineering and debugging tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, GDB, or equivalent
Familiarity with embedded processor architectures, assembly language, memory management, and low-level software analysis
Knowledge of common software vulnerability classes, memory corruption, input validation weaknesses, and vulnerability research techniques
Experience analyzing unfamiliar software or hardware systems to understand functionality, identify attack surfaces, and develop original research approaches
Ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot complex problems, and communicate technical findings
Nice-to-have Qualifications
Experience with vulnerability research or reverse engineering of commercial drones, unmanned aircraft systems, or other complex embedded platforms
Experience with binary exploitation, exploit development, fuzzing, and vulnerability discovery automation
Familiarity with ARM, RISC-V, or other embedded processor architectures
Experience with embedded Linux, real-time operating systems (RTOS), bootloaders, and firmware update mechanisms
Experience with firmware extraction, flash memory analysis, and hardware-assisted reverse engineering
Familiarity with hardware debugging interfaces such as JTAG, SWD, UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN
Experience with hardware instrumentation, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and software-defined radios
Knowledge of wireless communications, RF analysis, digital signal processing, and proprietary communications protocols
Familiarity with drone communications protocols, including MAVLink, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and proprietary command and control links
Familiarity with GNSS, inertial navigation, sensor fusion, and flight control systems
Experience reverse engineering mobile applications, ground control stations, or cloud-connected embedded systems
Experience with MATLAB, GNU Radio, or similar signal processing and modeling tools
Experience with analog and digital circuit design, physical prototyping, and lab-based experimental test harnesses
Experience supporting U.S. Government or Department of Defense research and development programs
Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI Required
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting
October 26, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range
Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
