None available Experience Level: 2-5 years Employment Type: Full-Time About Zealot Zealot is ... Build AI-driven vulnerability research and exploit development systems * Work directly with OS ...
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None available Experience Level: 2-5 years Employment Type: Full-Time About Zealot Zealot is ... Build AI-driven vulnerability research and exploit development systems * Work directly with OS ...
Travel required up to 20%. Full Time Must be able to apply for and maintain a U.S. Government ... Exploit Development : Develop custom and novel exploits to bypass security measures, recover ...
Travel required up to 20%. Full Time Must be able to apply for and maintain a U.S. Government ... Exploit Development : Develop custom and novel exploits to bypass security measures, recover ...
Windows CNE Developer
Arlington, VA · On-site
$180K - $250K/yr
Background in vulnerability research, exploit development, or malware development. * Scripting experience (Python or similar) for tooling and automation. Full-Time Employee Compensation * M9 ...
Windows CNE Developer
Arlington, VA · On-site
$180K - $250K/yr
Background in vulnerability research, exploit development, or malware development. * Scripting experience (Python or similar) for tooling and automation. Full-Time Employee Compensation * M9 ...
Windows CNO Developer
Herndon, VA · On-site
$180K - $250K/yr
Background in vulnerability research, exploit development, or malware development. * Scripting experience (Python or similar) for tooling and automation. Full-Time Employee Compensation * M9 ...
Windows CNO Developer
Herndon, VA · On-site
$180K - $250K/yr
Background in vulnerability research, exploit development, or malware development. * Scripting experience (Python or similar) for tooling and automation. Full-Time Employee Compensation * M9 ...
Conduct exploit development and identify gaps in existing red team tools and methodologies ... Minimum 10 years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing and/or offensive cyber ...
Conduct exploit development and identify gaps in existing red team tools and methodologies ... Minimum 10 years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing and/or offensive cyber ...
Conduct exploit development and identify gaps in existing red team tools and methodologies ... Minimum 10 years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing and/or offensive cyber ...
Conduct exploit development and identify gaps in existing red team tools and methodologies ... Minimum 10 years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing and/or offensive cyber ...
Experience in vulnerability analysis and exploit development * Proficiency in Python programming ... The annualized salary range for this position based on full time employment is $150,000-$250,000 ...
Experience in vulnerability analysis and exploit development * Proficiency in Python programming ... The annualized salary range for this position based on full time employment is $150,000-$250,000 ...
Conduct exploit development and identify gaps in existing red team tools and methodologies ... Minimum 10 years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing and/or offensive cyber ...
Quick apply
Conduct exploit development and identify gaps in existing red team tools and methodologies ... Minimum 10 years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing and/or offensive cyber ...
Perform exploit development and scripting to mimic threat actor capabilities. * Identify gaps in ... Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing or offensive ...
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Perform exploit development and scripting to mimic threat actor capabilities. * Identify gaps in ... Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing or offensive ...
Fort Meade, MD Employment Type: Full-time Experience Level: Senior (12+ years) Security Clearance ... Conduct vulnerability research and support exploit development activities * Analyze system behavior ...
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Fort Meade, MD Employment Type: Full-time Experience Level: Senior (12+ years) Security Clearance ... Conduct vulnerability research and support exploit development activities * Analyze system behavior ...
Penetration Tester, Senior
$86K - $138K/yr
Background in malware analysis or exploit development and experience integrating findings into ... Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Penetration Tester, Senior
$86K - $138K/yr
Background in malware analysis or exploit development and experience integrating findings into ... Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Cyber Research Engineer
$190K - $235K/yr
Reston, VA (preferred) Job-Type: Full-Time Target Salary Range*: $190,000 - $235,000 *This ... exploit development, reverse engineering, mission-oriented software tooling, and adversarial ...
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Cyber Research Engineer
$190K - $235K/yr
Reston, VA (preferred) Job-Type: Full-Time Target Salary Range*: $190,000 - $235,000 *This ... exploit development, reverse engineering, mission-oriented software tooling, and adversarial ...
Penetration Tester, Senior
$86K - $138K/yr
Background in malware analysis or exploit development and experience integrating findings into ... Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Penetration Tester, Senior
$86K - $138K/yr
Background in malware analysis or exploit development and experience integrating findings into ... Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Perform exploit development and scripting to mimic threat actor capabilities. * Identify gaps in ... Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing or offensive ...
Perform exploit development and scripting to mimic threat actor capabilities. * Identify gaps in ... Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing or offensive ...
Perform exploit development and scripting to mimic threat actor capabilities. * Identify gaps in ... Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing or offensive ...
Perform exploit development and scripting to mimic threat actor capabilities. * Identify gaps in ... Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time professional experience in penetration testing or offensive ...
... 20% Exploit development and proof-of-concept research * ~10% Tooling and automation development ... full-time basis now and in the future.
... 20% Exploit development and proof-of-concept research * ~10% Tooling and automation development ... full-time basis now and in the future.
Prior experience with vulnerability research and exploit development, reverse engineering, or ... Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Prior experience with vulnerability research and exploit development, reverse engineering, or ... Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Prior experience with vulnerability research and exploit development, reverse engineering, or ... We offer our full-time employees a competitive benefits package to include health, dental, vision ...
Quick apply
Prior experience with vulnerability research and exploit development, reverse engineering, or ... We offer our full-time employees a competitive benefits package to include health, dental, vision ...
Prior experience with vulnerability research and exploit development, reverse engineering, or ... We offer our full-time employees a competitive benefits package to include health, dental, vision ...
Prior experience with vulnerability research and exploit development, reverse engineering, or ... We offer our full-time employees a competitive benefits package to include health, dental, vision ...
Prior experience with vulnerability research and exploit development, reverse engineering, or ... Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Prior experience with vulnerability research and exploit development, reverse engineering, or ... Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Full Time Exploit Development information
See salary details
$24.26 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$18.99 - $24.26
25% of jobs
The median wage is $29.31 / hr.
$24.26 - $29.52
26% of jobs
$34.79 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$29.52 - $34.79
24% of jobs
$34.79 - $40.06
0% of jobs
$40.06 - $45.32
0% of jobs
$45.32 - $50.59
0% of jobs
$50.59 - $55.86
6% of jobs
$55.86 - $61.12
8% of jobs
$61.12 - $66.39
4% of jobs
$66.39 - $71.66
3% of jobs
$71.66 - $76.92
3% of jobs
$18
$37
$76
How much do full time exploit development jobs pay per hour?
As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for full time exploit development in the United States is $37.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.96 and $54.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is the difference between Full Time Exploit Development vs Penetration Tester?
| Aspect | Full Time Exploit Development | Penetration Tester |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Knowledge of security, programming, and exploit techniques | Security certifications (e.g., OSCP, CEH), technical skills |
| Work Environment | Research-focused, often in security firms or R&D teams | Client-facing, testing systems for vulnerabilities |
| Industry Usage | Used in security research, offensive security, and exploit creation | Used in security assessments, vulnerability testing, and consulting |
Full Time Exploit Development involves creating and testing exploits for security research, often in a research or offensive security context. Penetration Testers focus on assessing client systems for vulnerabilities through simulated attacks. While both roles require security knowledge and technical skills, exploit developers typically work in a more research-oriented environment, whereas penetration testers engage directly with clients to improve security posture.
What cities are hiring for Full Time Exploit Development jobs? Cities with the most Full Time Exploit Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Exploit Development jobs? The most popular types of Exploit Development jobs are:
What states have the most Full Time Exploit Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Full Time Exploit Development jobs include:
$160K - $250K/yr
Full-time
Posted 27 days ago
Job description
AI/Systems Engineer: Offensive Cybersecurity — Zealot
Location: Washington, D.C. (Onsite, 5 days/week)
Compensation: $160,000 – $250,000 base + 0.25% – 0.75% equity
Visa Sponsorship: None available
Experience Level: 2–5 years
Employment Type: Full-Time
Zealot is building AI-driven offensive cyber systems for U.S. and allied cyber operations. The company focuses on automating end-to-end Cyber Network Operations using AI-native systems designed for vulnerability research, exploit development, and offensive security workflows.
Zealot is already operating under a high-seven-figure customer contract and recently raised funding from major defense and AI investors, including leadership connected to Palantir. The team includes former engineers and operators from xAI, Anthropic, Scale, and multiple YC-backed startups.
About the RoleZealot is hiring AI/Systems Engineers to build production systems supporting AI-driven vulnerability research and offensive cyber operations. This is a deeply technical systems engineering role focused on operating systems, kernel-level engineering, runtime analysis, and production-grade low-level infrastructure. The company is specifically seeking engineers comfortable working close to the hardware layer with strong builder instincts and the ability to operate independently in highly ambiguous environments.
What You'll Own- Build AI-driven vulnerability research and exploit development systems
- Work directly with OS internals, kernel interfaces, and runtime systems
- Optimize low-level system performance and correctness
- Own architecture, implementation, and deployment end-to-end
- Partner with vulnerability researchers and security operators
- Convert manual offensive cyber operations into scalable automated systems
- Help define technical standards for AI-native offensive security infrastructure
- 2+ years of engineering experience
- Deep low-level systems engineering expertise
- Experience with OS internals, kernel work, runtime detection, or dynamic analysis
- Strong production engineering and systems ownership mindset
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments
- Eligible for U.S. government security clearance requirements
- Willing to relocate onsite to Washington, D.C.
- Vulnerability research or CTF background
- Offensive security experience
- Prior YC founder or early engineering experience
- Experience at elite AI or systems companies
- Open-source OS tooling contributions
- Security startup engineering experience
- Exposure to ML or AI systems
- Engineers with long tenure in low-agency enterprise environments
- Thought-leader style profiles without a strong builder track record
- Research-heavy profiles lacking production engineering ownership
- Candidates not eligible for U.S. government security clearance
- Intro call
- Technical interview
- Technical interview #2
- Offer stage
- Role is fully onsite in Washington, D.C. — 5 days/week — please only apply if you can commit to this
- No visa sponsorship available — must be eligible for U.S. government security clearance
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by David Joseph & Co., the recruiting partner managing this search on behalf of Zealot.