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Firmware Security Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Firmware Security Researcher, SEAR

Cupertino, CA · On-site

As a Firmware Security Researcher, you will work with cutting edge technology alongside some of the most creative, passionate, hardworking engineers in the industry; collaborating with teams from ...

Apple

Firmware Security Researcher, SEAR

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$129K - $225K/yr

As a Firmware Security Researcher, you will work with cutting edge technology alongside some of the most creative, passionate, hardworking engineers in the industry; collaborating with teams from ...

ARM

SoC Offensive Security Staff Engineer

Austin, TX

... firmware security analysis, and collaborating with development teams to uncover security weaknesses that traditional SDL processes may overlook. You will use practical security research methods ...

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Firmware Security Researcher information

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How much do firmware security researcher jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for firmware security researcher in the United States is $51.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.76 and $53.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a firmware security researcher?

Firmware Security Researchers are professionals who specialize in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security vulnerabilities within firmware, which is the low-level software that controls hardware devices. Their work involves reverse engineering firmware, conducting vulnerability assessments, and developing tools or techniques to protect embedded systems from cyber threats. They play a crucial role in securing devices such as computers, IoT gadgets, and industrial equipment, helping prevent unauthorized access and cyberattacks at the hardware level. Firmware Security Researchers often collaborate with hardware manufacturers, software developers, and cybersecurity teams to improve overall device security.

What are some common challenges firmware security researchers face when analyzing embedded systems?

Firmware Security Researchers often encounter challenges such as limited or undocumented hardware interfaces, proprietary code, and complex supply chains that obscure vulnerabilities. Accessing and extracting firmware from devices can require specialized tools and techniques, and reverse engineering is frequently necessary due to lack of source code. Collaboration with hardware engineers and other security professionals is essential to fully understand device architecture and to effectively identify and mitigate risks in embedded systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a firmware security researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Firmware Security Researcher, you need a deep understanding of embedded systems, low-level programming (such as C/C++ and assembly), and a background in computer science or electrical engineering. Familiarity with tools like IDA Pro, Ghidra, JTAG debuggers, and firmware analysis platforms, as well as relevant certifications such as OSCP or CISSP, is highly valuable. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective problem-solving are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities, analyzing complex firmware code, and ensuring the security of embedded devices in today's interconnected world.

What is the difference between Firmware Security Researcher vs Embedded Security Analyst?

AspectFirmware Security ResearcherEmbedded Security Analyst
CredentialsCybersecurity certifications, knowledge of firmware analysis toolsSecurity certifications, embedded systems knowledge
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, cybersecurity firms, tech companiesManufacturers, IoT companies, embedded device firms
Industry UsageFocus on firmware vulnerabilities and exploitsFocus on embedded system security and threat mitigation

The Firmware Security Researcher primarily investigates firmware vulnerabilities and exploits, often working in research labs or cybersecurity firms. In contrast, the Embedded Security Analyst focuses on securing embedded systems within manufacturing or IoT environments. Both roles require cybersecurity knowledge, but their focus areas and work settings differ.

What are popular job titles related to Firmware Security Researcher jobs?

For Firmware Security Researcher jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Firmware Security Researcher job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,000 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Firmware Security Researcher, SEAR

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Apple
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Appleexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 684 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

Embedded within Apple's Security Engineering & Architecture organization, our team's mission is to ensures secure runtime environments for our firmware, constrained, and isolated compute environments, so that we can protect sensitive user assets and prevent advanced attacks against our customers. We're looking for an outstanding Firmware Security Researcher to join our exceptional team whose focus is on securing the lowest level of our system to create secure and privacy preserving products that billions of users trust.
As a Firmware Security Researcher, you will work with cutting edge technology alongside some of the most creative, passionate, hardworking engineers in the industry; collaborating with teams from software, hardware, user privacy, design, and more. Your influence will be felt throughout Apple's extraordinary products, including: the iPhone, Apple Vision Pro, Mac and Apple TV. Our team challenge and learn from each other to go beyond the norm to find new, innovative ways of solving problems and making our software, hardware, and customers safer. Not many jobs can offer all of these things. Security engineering jobs at Apple do, and much more.
Description
The role of a Firmware Security Researcher is as diverse as it is essential, you will lead research and analysis in identifying vulnerabilities and trends across our platforms, invent new defensive technologies to eliminate entire classes of issues, and drive the delivery of security mitigations in collaboration with our partner engineering teams.
A typical day in the role may include:
* Evaluating security-critical aspects of our products, from system architecture to code review, from product features definition to circuit layout
* Providing security focused consultations to partner teams on new features and technologies
* Developing intelligent automated tools for security analysis, verification, and regression defence
* Identifying threats and driving the development of mitigations to prevent them
* Challenging existing mitigation techniques through evaluation and proof of concept exploitation
* reverse engineering exploits, if necessary
This position may require some travel to other Apple sites and vendors.
Minimum Qualifications
Familiarity with firmware and embedded system technologies
Experience with secure programming and code auditing
Knowledge of modern anti-exploitation mitigations and their effectiveness
Background in firmware or systems programming, ideally in C, C++, or another systems programming language
Excellent communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
Ideas and enthusiasm for using AI to fundamentally change the field of security engineering
Proficiency with threat modelling complex systems
Background in software exploitation
Familiarity with operating system internals, especially macOS, iOS, or other flavours of UNIX
Experience with memory safe programming languages and/or techniques

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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