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Binary Exploitation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Piper Companies

Software Reverse Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

Responsibilities: • Conduct software exploitation against applications, middleware, malware, operating systems (OS) user interface, OS drivers/runtimes, firmware, and other binary data. • Perform ...

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

... system exploitation. We develop and prototype cutting-edge capabilities for our operational ... Binary Translation * Compiler Construction * Anti-debugging/Anti-instrumentation Techniques

Dark Wolf Solutions

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · Hybrid

$130K - $145K/yr

Strong analytical skills and experience in firmware, binary exploitation, and embedded systems testing * Advanced knowledge of Software Defined Radio (SDR) and protocol reverse engineering * Active ...

Dark Wolf Solutions

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$130K - $145K/yr

Strong analytical skills and experience in firmware, binary exploitation, and embedded systems testing * Advanced knowledge of Software Defined Radio (SDR) and protocol reverse engineering * Active ...

Dark Wolf Solutions

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$130K - $145K/yr

Strong analytical skills and experience in firmware, binary exploitation, and embedded systems testing * Advanced knowledge of Software Defined Radio (SDR) and protocol reverse engineering * Active ...

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All JobsBinary Exploitation Jobs

Binary Exploitation information

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$52

How much do binary exploitation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for binary exploitation in the United States is $26.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $28.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Binary Exploitation Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Binary Exploitation Specialist, you need deep knowledge of operating systems, computer architecture, low-level programming (such as C and Assembly), and experience with reverse engineering, often supported by a degree in computer science or cybersecurity. Familiarity with tools like GDB, IDA Pro, Radare2, and certifications such as OSCP or GREM is highly valuable. Analytical thinking, persistence, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills for identifying vulnerabilities and devising novel exploits. These skills are vital for effectively discovering security flaws, developing mitigations, and protecting systems from real-world attacks.

What is the difference between Binary Exploitation vs Reverse Engineer?

AspectBinary ExploitationReverse Engineer
Required CredentialsKnowledge of vulnerabilities, exploit development, programming (C, Assembly)Understanding of software architecture, assembly, debugging skills
Work EnvironmentSecurity labs, penetration testing, CTF competitionsSoftware analysis, malware analysis, debugging environments
Industry UsageCybersecurity, penetration testing, bug bounty programsMalware analysis, software development, security research

Binary Exploitation and Reverse Engineering share overlapping skills like programming and understanding of low-level systems. However, Binary Exploitation focuses on identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities to gain control over systems, while Reverse Engineering involves analyzing software to understand its inner workings without necessarily exploiting it. Both roles are vital in cybersecurity but serve different purposes within security assessments and research.

What is binary exploitation?

Binary exploitation is a field within cybersecurity focused on finding and leveraging vulnerabilities in compiled software binaries to alter their intended behavior. This often involves analyzing how programs manage memory, handle user input, or interact with the operating system to identify flaws such as buffer overflows or use-after-free errors. Attackers use these techniques to gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, or escalate privileges. Professionals in this field use a combination of reverse engineering, programming, and security analysis skills.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in binary exploitation roles?

Professionals in binary exploitation often encounter challenges such as reverse engineering complex binaries, bypassing modern security mechanisms like ASLR and DEP, and staying updated with evolving exploit mitigation techniques. The work can involve significant problem-solving and persistence, as each target binary may require unique approaches. Additionally, collaboration with security researchers and developers is common, especially when disclosing vulnerabilities or working to patch exploited systems.
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Binary Exploitation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Binary Exploitation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $55,723 per year, or $26.8 per hour.
Cyber Systems Exploitation Researcher

Cyber Systems Exploitation Researcher

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Lexington, MA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

The Cyber System Assessments Group performs software and hardware reverse engineering, vulnerability research and discovery, and system exploitation. We develop and prototype cutting-edge capabilities for our operational partners in the U.S. government. We look for, find, and demonstrate cyber vulnerabilities so that vulnerabilities in U.S. systems can be corrected, and so that vulnerabilities in other systems are better understood. Top U.S. Government leadership relies on us for our expert guidance, and our technical role with our U.S. Government sponsors is considered essential to the success of their missions.
Position Description
When you join our team as a Cyber System Exploitation Researcher, you'll be contributing to the development of cyber security tools and techniques. You'll be reverse engineering and exploiting software and hardware systems important to U.S. government operations and critical to the defense of our nation. Your main areas of research will include cyber tool prototyping and technical analysis of offensive or defensive cyber tools and systems, automated vulnerability discovery, reverse engineering, software protection mechanisms, static analysis, and dynamic instrumentation. Once you're on our team, you will communicate your research to non-domain experts through your writing, public presentations, and hand-on training sessions.
Requirements:
  • MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related discipline or BS and 3+ years of directly related experience
  • Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain a Secret level DoD security clearance. Additionally, must be eligible and willing to apply for a Top Secret SCI level DoD security clearance and be able to maintain this clearance level once obtained.

Desired Technical Skills: (Familiarity and Expertise in some)
  • Version Control Systems (Git)
  • Dissassemblers/Decompilers (Ghidra, IDAPro)
  • Debuggers (WinDbg, GDB)
  • Programming Languages (C/C++, Python)
  • Infrastructure/Container Provisioning/Orchestration Systems (Ansible, Kubernetes, Docker)
  • Network Protocol Analysis (Wireshark, Tcpdump)
  • Emulator/Virtualization Technologies (VMWare, QEMU)
  • Operating System Internals
  • Reverse Engineering of Embedded Systems Firmware, Malicious Code, Mobile Applications, and More
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Statistics and Metrics
  • SAT/SMT Solvers
  • Symbolic Execution
  • Data-flow Analysis for Compiled Binaries
  • Binary Intermediate Representations
  • Binary Translation
  • Compiler Construction
  • Anti-debugging/Anti-instrumentation Techniques
  • Network and Host Security Products

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $116,400 - $140,000
Experienced Hiring Range: $116,400 - $182,200
Disclaimer: MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides a typical hiring range as a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to offer for this position at the time of posting. The final salary offered to a selected candidate will depend on various factors, including-but not limited to-the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, skills and education/training, internal equity considerations and applicable legal requirements. This range reflects base salary only and does not include additional forms of compensation or benefits.
At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include:
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
  • MIT-funded pension
  • Matching 401K
  • Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
  • Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
  • Mentorship programs
  • A range of work-life balance options
  • ... and much more!

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.
Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.
Requisition ID: 43042

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