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Malware Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The right person may come from AI security, ML security, malware data science, cyber-defense research, adversarial ML, LLM security, offensive security, threat hunting, or applied security research ...

The right person may come from AI security, ML security, malware data science, cyber-defense research, adversarial ML, LLM security, offensive security, threat hunting, or applied security research ...

The right person may come from AI security, ML security, malware data science, cyber-defense research, adversarial ML, LLM security, offensive security, threat hunting, or applied security research ...

Staff Security Researcher

Encino, CA · On-site

$113K - $182K/yr

Sr. Staff Researcher At Palo Alto Networks ® , we're united by a shared mission--to protect our ... Basic understanding of malware types (e.g., Spyware, Ransomware, Exploits) and popular ...

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Malware Researcher information

See salary details

$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do malware researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for malware researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a malware researcher?

A Malware Researcher is a cybersecurity expert who analyzes malicious software to understand its behavior, origin, and impact. They reverse-engineer malware, develop detection methods, and create defenses to protect systems from cyber threats. Their work involves using specialized tools, programming, and forensic techniques to uncover vulnerabilities and patterns used by attackers. Malware Researchers often collaborate with cybersecurity teams, law enforcement, and organizations to mitigate threats and improve security measures.

What does a malware researcher do?

A typical day for a Malware Researcher involves analyzing suspected malicious files or code samples, documenting findings, and collaborating with cybersecurity teams to develop detection and mitigation strategies. You'll often use specialized tools to perform static and dynamic analysis, write detection rules, and stay updated on the latest threat trends. The role frequently requires responding quickly to new threats and participating in team meetings to discuss ongoing investigations. Expect a mix of independent research and close teamwork, as well as ongoing learning in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a malware researcher?

To thrive as a Malware Researcher, you need strong expertise in computer science, reverse engineering, programming (such as C/C++ or Python), and a deep understanding of operating systems and network protocols. Proficiency with tools like IDA Pro, Ghidra, Wireshark, virtualization platforms, and malware analysis sandboxes, plus certifications like GREM or OSCP, is highly valued. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These skills ensure accurate malware identification, effective threat analysis, and clear communication of findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders, all critical for maintaining cybersecurity.

How do you become a malware researcher?

A malware researcher typically has a background in computer science, cybersecurity, or related fields, and develops skills in reverse engineering, programming, and network analysis. Gaining experience with tools like disassemblers, debuggers, and sandbox environments is essential, and certifications such as GREM or GREM can enhance credibility. Continuous learning about emerging threats and malware techniques is also important for success in this role.

How much do malware researchers make?

Malware researchers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior professionals with specialized skills in reverse engineering and threat analysis can earn higher salaries, especially in cybersecurity hubs or with advanced certifications.
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The most popular types of Malware Researcher jobs are:

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States with the most job openings for Malware Researcher jobs include:

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Infographic showing various Malware Researcher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% In-person, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Senior AI Security Researcher

Nvidia

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

NVIDIA is looking for a Senior AI Security Researcher to help define how frontier AI systems, agentic applications, and AI-enabled security automation are tested, attacked, defended, and safely deployed. You will build new methods, tools, evaluations, and proofs of concept that help NVIDIA understand and reduce security risk across AI models, AI platforms, autonomous agents, cloud services, developer tooling, and accelerated computing systems!

We are looking for a researcher who can move fluidly from open-ended research questions to application within working systems: someone who can discover novel failure modes, build rigorous evaluation harnesses, prototype adversarial and defensive techniques, and turn findings into practical mitigations for engineering teams. The right person may come from AI security, ML security, malware data science, cyber-defense research, adversarial ML, LLM security, offensive security, threat hunting, or applied security research at scale!

What You'll Be Doing:

  • Develop and answer open-ended AI security research questions that helps NVIDIA understand, measure, and reduce risk in frontier models, agentic systems, AI platforms, and AI-enabled products.

  • Develop practical methods, prototypes, evaluations, or tools that reveal how AI systems can fail under adversarial conditions and how those risks can be mitigated.

  • Explore a range of AI security problems, such as LLM and agent security, adversarial testing, model evaluation, cyber-defense automation, vulnerability discovery, secure deployment, or autonomous response.

  • Translate research into usable outcomes for engineering and security teams, including proof-of-concept demonstrations, benchmarks, technical guidance, mitigations, and secure-by-design recommendations.

  • Collaborate across offensive security, product security, AI research, platform, cloud, and infrastructure teams to connect research insights with NVIDIA's highest-impact security priorities.

  • Help shape NVIDIA's AI-security research strategy by mentoring others, identifying emerging risks, and building repeatable practices for evaluating and defending AI systems.

What We Need to See:

  • 12+ years of experience in AI security, cybersecurity research, applied ML research, offensive security, cyber defense, or related technical fields.

  • Demonstrated record of original research and practical impact, such as deployed security ML systems, AI-security evaluations, CVEs, patents, publications, conference talks, open-source tools, production mitigations, or funded research programs.

  • Hands-on ability to build working research systems in Python and modern ML/data tooling such as PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy, Spark, BigQuery, or comparable platforms.

  • Experience with one or more AI-security areas: LLM security, adversarial ML, model evaluation, agent security, prompt injection, model backdoors, data poisoning, model abuse, secure RAG, synthetic data, or AI-enabled security automation.

  • Strong cybersecurity foundation, including threat modeling, adversary simulation, exploit or vulnerability research, malware analysis, network defense, threat hunting, detection engineering, digital forensics, secure code review, or incident-response automation.

  • Ability to work across ambiguous research problems and practical product constraints, translating findings into prioritized recommendations and measurable security outcomes.

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity or a related field.

  • Experience leading AI-security research for major models, AI platforms, security products, or large-scale production systems.

  • A track record of building security ML systems that operate at real-world scale,

Ways to Stand Out from the Crowd:

  • Published work or public technical leadership in AI security, malware data science, adversarial ML, LLM security, cyber-defense automation, or offensive AI.

  • Experience developing benchmarks, challenge datasets, red-team tools, evaluation suites, or simulation environments for AI and security systems.

  • Deep knowledge of attacker tradecraft, including living-off-the-land techniques, supply-chain abuse, application-layer AI attacks, data exfiltration, and abuse of autonomous tooling.

  • Experience with low-level systems security.

  • History of mentoring researchers, winning or leading research programs, filing patents, publishing papers, or speaking at major security and AI venues.

In this role, your research will help NVIDIA build AI systems that are not only powerful, but trustworthy, resilient, and secure. You will work with world-class researchers, engineers, and security teams on problems that matter to NVIDIA's products, customers, and the broader AI ecosystem.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD for Level 5, and 272,000 USD - 431,250 USD for Level 6.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until September 5, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US