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Malware Reverse Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

CNA

Threat Hunter

Chicago, IL · On-site

$97K - $189K/yr

Coordinates escalation for advanced forensics and malware reverse engineering. * Communicates security incidents clearly to business and non-technical stakeholders. May perform additional duties as ...

Cna

Threat Hunter

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$97K - $189K/yr

Coordinates escalation for advanced forensics and malware reverse engineering. * Communicates security incidents clearly to business and non-technical stakeholders. May perform additional duties as ...

U.S. Bank

Lead Threat Hunter

Chicago, IL

Malware reverse engineering skills. * Expertise with incident response frameworks. * Experience in the financial sector. * SANS, CHFI, OSCP or similar certification. This role requires working from a ...

US Bank

Lead Threat Hunter

Chicago, IL

Malware reverse engineering skills. * Expertise with incident response frameworks. * Experience in the financial sector. * SANS, CHFI, OSCP or similar certification. This role requires working from a ...

Cyberbit

Account Executive

West Chicago, IL · Remote

Cyberbit Range deploys real-world attacks using reverse-engineered malware onto a virtual corporate network, allowing users to defend against live attacks using commercial-grade security tools to ...

All JobsMalware Reverse Engineer JobsMalware Reverse Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Malware Reverse Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$84.5K

$140.5K

$201K

How much do malware reverse engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for malware reverse engineer in Chicago, IL is $140,505.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,800.00 and $183,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Malware Reverse Engineer do?

A Malware Reverse Engineer analyzes malicious software to understand its functionality, origin, and potential impact. They use tools like debuggers, disassemblers, and virtual environments to deconstruct malware and identify vulnerabilities or attack patterns. Their work helps in developing security defenses, creating detection signatures, and improving incident response. This role requires strong knowledge of programming, operating systems, and cybersecurity principles.

What are some typical challenges faced by Malware Reverse Engineers in their daily work?

Malware Reverse Engineers frequently encounter highly complex or obfuscated malware designed to resist analysis, which can make the process both time-consuming and mentally demanding. Staying ahead of constantly evolving attack techniques requires ongoing learning and adaptability. The role often involves collaborating with incident response teams, threat intelligence analysts, and security researchers to provide clear, actionable insights on emerging threats. Successfully overcoming these challenges is critical for protecting organizational assets and staying current with the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Malware Reverse Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Malware Reverse Engineer, you need strong expertise in reverse engineering, assembly language, and programming, often backed by a degree in computer science or cybersecurity and experience with malware analysis. Familiarity with tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg, and relevant certifications like GREM or OSCP is highly valued. Analytical thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and clear written communication are important soft skills in this field. These skills ensure accurate identification, dissection, and documentation of malicious code, supporting effective threat response and mitigation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Malware Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Malware Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Malware Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Malware Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Malware Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Malware Reverse Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Malware Reverse Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Malware Reverse Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $140,505 per year, or $67.6 per hour.
Threat Hunter

Threat Hunter

CNA

Chicago, IL • On-site

$97K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.
Threat Hunter, Consulting Director is a senior-level individual contributor focused on proactively searching adversarial activity in the network with the goal of discovering threats prior to an adversary completing its mission. This role utilizes advanced skills to perform enterprise forensics including operating system artifact analysis, log analysis, network traffic analysis, and the MITRE ATT&CK framework. This position is responsible for developing innovative and creative detection tactics and techniques that protect client data and corporate assets from diverse threats. The role is a key member of a highly technical team operating in a rapidly changing environment.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:
  • Leads and conducts real-time and historical analysis using the full security suite including Endpoint Protection, SIEM, Firewall, EDR, IDS, Email Gateway, Web Content Filtering, and Identity Management technologies.

  • Conducts incident response triage analysis on suspected hosts to determine potential attacks and scope.

  • Conducts threat hunting operations based on the latest threat intelligence.

  • Creates strategies for enterprise-wide hunts based on triage findings and intelligence efforts.

  • Maintains awareness of emerging attack tactics, techniques, and procedures.

  • Collaborates with SOC, Threat Intelligence, Incident Response, and Enterprise Security teams.

  • Identifies visibility gaps and recommends improvements.

  • Manages day-to-day SOC monitoring, investigations, response, and intelligence activities.

  • Coordinates escalation for advanced forensics and malware reverse engineering.

  • Communicates security incidents clearly to business and non-technical stakeholders.

May perform additional duties as assigned.
Reporting Relationship
Typically AVP or above
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
  • In-depth knowledge of SIEM, IDS/IPS, web proxies, DLP, CASB, DNS security, DDoS protection, and firewalls.

  • Advanced experience with forensic tools for OS artifact, memory, and network analysis.

  • Strong understanding of malware, reverse engineering principles, and network protocols.

  • Demonstrated ability to build, execute, and lead enterprise threat hunting programs.

  • Ability to work collaboratively in high-pressure incident response environments.

  • Demonstrated ability to apply artificial intelligence and machine-learning techniques to threat hunting, including use of LLMs, UEBA, and statistical models to surface anomalous behavior, enrich low-signal telemetry, and accelerate hypothesis-driven hunts across large enterprise datasets.

  • Experience evaluating, tuning, and operationalizing AI-enabled security capabilities (e.g., AI-assisted SIEM, EDR/XDR, and detection engineering workflows), with an understanding of model limitations, bias, false-positive risk, and the need for analytically defensible outcomes suitable for executive, legal, and regulatory review.

Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline, or equivalent experience.

  • Typically a minimum of 10 years of experience in cyber monitoring, threat hunting, incident response, forensics, or related disciplines.

#LI-KJ1 #LI-HYBRID
In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $97,000 to $189,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.
CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact leaveadministration@cna.com.

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