Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Two Six Technologies is actively seeking an Embedded Security Software Engineer to join our Trusted Electronics & Effects team in Herndon, Virginia. The team is composed of intellectual individuals, passionate about embedded software development, firmware reverse engineering, and low-level system testing. The team is growing and looking for someone with an embedded systems and firmware analysis background who has an understanding of how to perform light reverse engineering to map out undocumented targets and facilitate forward development inside an emulation environment. If you are actively using Ghidra, Python, and QEMU to modify and rehost complex firmware binaries, the team wants to talk to you!

What you will do:

• Contribute directly to delivering technical tasks focused on the reverse engineering and forward development of complex wireless and embedded systems.


• Support critical government customers by executing routine binary and file system analysis to help our team map out undocumented target architectures.


• Operate under moderate supervision, making decisions based on precedent and established company policies.


• Follow team practices to translate reverse engineering insights into functional software, enabling successful firmware rehosting and expansion within custom emulation environments.

What you will need (basic qualifications):

• Core Development & Scripting: Demonstrated programmatic competency developing low-level software in C/C++ and writing functional Python scripts for automation within Linux command-line environments.


• Reverse Engineering Tooling: Practical experience performing light architectural reverse engineering or control-flow analysis on firmware images using tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, or Binary Ninja.


• Emulation & Rehosting: Hands-on experience configuring or modifying embedded binaries to support successful firmware rehosting within emulation frameworks like QEMU.


• Security Clearance: An active Top Secret security clearance, with the verified capability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.


• Location: Ability to work in the Two Six office in Herndon, Virginia daily.

Nice to have (preferred):

• Automated Reversing scripts: Experience utilizing the Ghidra API or Binary Ninja API to write basic scripts that automate binary or file system analysis tasks.


• Hardware Interfaces: Foundational knowledge or exposure to hardware debugging tools (such as JTAG or SWD) or interacting with Software Defined Radio (SDR) frameworks.


• Embedded Operating Systems: Prior experience developing software or compiling code for Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or customized embedded Linux environments.


• DevOps & Integration: Familiarity with DevOps best practices, software protection mechanisms, or binary fuzzing infrastructure.

Security Clearance:

• Active Top Secret Clearance is required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.

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Two Six Technologies is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive compensation packages that reflect the value we place on our employees and their contributions. We believe in rewarding skills, experience, and performance. Our offerings include but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance and professional development.

The projected salary range listed for this position is annualized. This is a general guideline and not a guarantee of salary. Salary is one component of our total compensation package and the specific salary offered is determined by various factors, including, but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, geographic location, as well as contract specific affordability and organizational requirements.

Salary Range

$111,983 — $167,974 USD

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Ready to make the first move towards growing your career? If so, check out the Two Six Technologies Candidate Journey! This will give you step-by-step directions on applying, what to expect during the application process, information about our rich benefits and perks along with our most frequently asked questions. If you are undecided and would like to learn more about us and how we are contributing to essential missions, check out our Two Six Technologies News page! We share information about the tech world around us and how we are making an impact! Still have questions, no worries! You can reach us at Contact Two Six Technologies. We are happy to connect and cover the information needed to assist you in reaching your next career milestone.

Two Six Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type and protective hair styles (e.g., braids, twists, locs and twists)), color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and over), marital status, disability, genetic information, and protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information review the Two Six Technologies Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy and the EEO Poster.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request reasonable workplace accommodation for any part of our employment process, please send an email to accommodations@twosixtech.com. Information provided will be kept confidential and used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Additionally, please be advised that this business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices.

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