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Exploit Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Reverse Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$134K - $184K/yr

Performing vulnerability weaponization, exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets * Documenting, demonstrating, and presenting research

Background in Cybersecurity : penetration testing, exploit development, reverse engineering. * Knowledge of Socio-technical risk : harassment/disinfo probing, abuse analysis, conversational AI ...

Background in Cybersecurity : penetration testing, exploit development, reverse engineering. * Expertise in socio-technical risk: harassment/disinfo probing, abuse analysis, conversational AI testing.

... development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets • Documenting, demonstrating, and presenting research • Solving real world problems that have an impact on national ...

... exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets • Technical marketing to existing and potential customers • Technical proposal development ...

Senior Reverse Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

... development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets • Documenting, demonstrating, and presenting research • Solving real world problems that have an impact on national ...

... exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets • Technical marketing to existing and potential customers • Technical proposal development ...

Performing vulnerability weaponization, exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets * Technical marketing to existing and potential customers

Develop safeguards to prevent misuse of AI systems in exploit development or unintended security bypass scenarios. * Perform security reviews and penetration testing of AI-driven software components ...

Develop safeguards to prevent misuse of AI systems in exploit development or unintended security bypass scenarios. * Perform security reviews and penetration testing of AI-driven software components ...

Performing vulnerability weaponization, exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets * Documenting, demonstrating, and presenting research

Senior Reverse Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$134K - $184K/yr

Performing vulnerability weaponization, exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets * Documenting, demonstrating, and presenting research

Performing vulnerability weaponization, exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets * Technical marketing to existing and potential customers

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Exploit Development information

See California salary details

$18

$37

$75

How much do exploit development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for exploit development in California is $37.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.62 and $53.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Exploit Development job?

An Exploit Development job involves researching software, hardware, or network vulnerabilities and creating proof-of-concept exploits to demonstrate security weaknesses. Professionals in this role analyze security flaws, write exploits, and sometimes assist in patch development. They often work in cybersecurity firms, government agencies, or red teams conducting penetration testing. Strong knowledge of low-level programming, reverse engineering, and debugging tools is essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Exploit Development position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Exploit Development, you need advanced knowledge of computer systems, programming languages (such as C, C++, Python, or Assembly), and a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with reverse engineering tools (like IDA Pro, Ghidra, or OllyDbg), debuggers, and certifications such as OSCE or OSEP are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex technical findings clearly are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are essential to responsibly discover and analyze security vulnerabilities, develop proof-of-concept exploits, and contribute to organizational or client security enhancements.

What are some of the primary challenges encountered in an Exploit Development role?

Exploit Development professionals often face the challenge of staying ahead of rapidly evolving security defenses and continuously learning new attack techniques and mitigation strategies. The work can require intense focus and patience, as reverse engineering and identifying vulnerabilities in complex systems may take considerable time and persistence. Additionally, strict adherence to ethical guidelines and clear communication with cross-functional security and engineering teams is critical for responsibly handling discovered vulnerabilities. Diligence, adaptability, and ongoing professional development are key to navigating the technical and ethical complexities of this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Exploit Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Exploit Development jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Exploit Development jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Exploit Development jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Exploit Development job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% As Needed, and 93% Part Time. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,192 per year, or $37.1 per hour.
Product Security Research Engineer

Product Security Research Engineer

CYNET SYSTEMS

San Jose, CA • On-site

$96 - $101/hr

Contractor

Posted 12 days ago

Be an early applicant


Job description

Job Overview:

Pay Range: $96.12/hr - $101.12/hr

Requirement/Must Have:

  • 6-9 years of experience in Product Security Engineering, Vulnerability Research, or Offensive Security, with a focus on deconstructing complex software systems.
  • A talent for 'Attack Path Thinking', with the ability to identify how a minor logic flaw could lead to a major compromise.
  • A strong understanding of software vulnerabilities (logic flaws, memory corruption, auth bypasses) and how they manifest in cloud-native and hybrid-cloud environments.
  • Experience or a strong interest in using AI-driven tools to scale security engineering and automate the Client of sophisticated vulnerability patterns.
  • An ability to work as a peer with Architects and Developers, using technical data and research to build consensus on remediation paths.

Responsibilities:

  • Partner with Security Architects to identify and technically validate potential exploit sequences.
  • Engineer proofs-of-concept to demonstrate how individual vulnerabilities can be linked to create significant product exposure.
  • Perform deep-dive technical research to determine the exact 'blast radius' of a vulnerability.
  • Identify which products and versions are impacted and what specific data or services are at risk.
  • Translate offensive research into preventative measures, providing Engineering teams with the technical evidence and architectural guidance needed to implement robust, long-term mitigations.
  • Explore and implement AI-driven automation to enhance Client and analysis capabilities.
  • Use emerging technologies to scale the identification of complex vulnerability patterns across the stack.
  • Serve as a senior technical subject matter expert during high-stakes triage, helping stakeholders understand the practical reality of threat through evidence-based technical analysis and exploit modeling.

Nice to Have:

  • Experience with reverse engineering or high-level exploit development in a research-focused environment.
  • Familiarity with 'Graph-based' security analysis (mapping relationships between assets, permissions, and vulnerabilities).
  • Contributions to the security community, such as tool development, technical whitepapers, or responsibility disclosed CVEs.
  • Experience in a distributed engineering environment where technical evidence is the primary driver of security prioritization.
 
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in the Washington, DC metro area, Cynet Systems Inc. is a leading staffing and recruiting powerhouse. Proudly recognized as a nationally and locally certified diversity firm, Cynet delivers agile, scalable talent solutions across industries. With an active footprint in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, we support thousands of consultants through our expansive, high-performing recruitment engine operating across North America and Asia—ensuring speed, quality, and consistency in every hire.

Cynet Systems logo

About Cynet Systems

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cynet Systems Inc is a staffing and recruiting corporation nestled in Ashburn, VA, USA. Established in 2010, the company operates within the Information Technology and Services sector, specializing in providing effective workforce solutions to different business needs, including IT consulting, direct hire, and contract staffing services. Through the years, Cynet Systems has built an impressive portfolio, going beyond borders and expanding its operations internationally in Canada and India. Rooted in its core values of teamwork, leadership, and commitment, Cynet Systems helps businesses unlock their full potential by providing versatile and competent professionals that perfectly align with their needs. Fueled by their unwavering mission to deliver top-tier talent to businesses worldwide, Cynet Systems garnered various recognitions including SIA's fastest-growing staffing firms and Best Place to Work in Virginia for 2019.

Industry

It services

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sterling, VA, US

Year founded

2010

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