ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Researcher Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Redhorse Corporation

Vulnerability Researcher

Herndon, VA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

In this role, you will apply advanced vulnerability research (VR), reverse engineering (RE), and vulnerability exploitation (VE) skills to support a variety of defensive and offensive cyber ...

Redhorse Corporation

Vulnerability Researcher

Herndon, VA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

In this role, you will apply advanced vulnerability research (VR), reverse engineering (RE), and vulnerability exploitation (VE) skills to support a variety of defensive and offensive cyber ...

Redhorse Corporation

Vulnerability Researcher

Herndon, VA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

In this role, you will apply advanced vulnerability research (VR), reverse engineering (RE), and vulnerability exploitation (VE) skills to support a variety of defensive and offensive cyber ...

Nightwing

Technology Researcher

Arlington, VA · On-site

$99K - $206K/yr

The researcher will adhere to established procedures to document technical requirements, develop potential courses of action, and oversee the implementation of capabilities aligned to those ...

Nwis

Technology Researcher

Arlington, VA

$99K - $206K/yr

The researcher will adhere to established procedures to document technical requirements, develop potential courses of action, and oversee the implementation of capabilities aligned to those ...

Link, LLC

Windows Security Researcher

Annapolis, MD · On-site

As a Windows Security Researcher, you will be part of a team focused on conducting security research related to Windows technologies. You should be familiar with the latest techniques in ...

Nightwing

Vulnerability Researcher

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$77K - $163K/yr

Vulnerability Researcher: Use advanced systems to find zero-day (O-day) vulnerabilities. Responsible for analyzing, designing, and identifying programmatic behaviors. Have an opportunity to develop ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsResearcher JobsResearcher Jobs in Washington

Researcher information

See Washington salary details

$10

$26

$56

How much do researcher jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for researcher in Washington is $26.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.26 and $33.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Researcher vs Data Analyst?

AspectResearcherData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in relevant field; often advanced degrees for research rolesBachelor's or Master's in statistics, data science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentAcademic, laboratory, or research institutions; sometimes corporate R&DBusiness, finance, marketing, or healthcare settings; often office-based
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesCorporations, consulting firms, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonResearcher vs Data Analyst

The main difference between a Researcher and a Data Analyst lies in their focus and work environment. Researchers typically conduct experiments, develop theories, and work in academic or research settings, often requiring advanced degrees. Data Analysts analyze data to inform business decisions, usually working in corporate environments with a focus on data interpretation and reporting. While both roles require strong analytical skills, their daily tasks and industry applications differ significantly.

What qualifications do I need to be a researcher?

To become a researcher, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as science, social science, or engineering is typically required, with many roles preferring or requiring a master's or doctoral degree. Strong analytical skills, proficiency with research tools and data analysis software, and good communication abilities are also important. Relevant experience through internships or previous research projects can enhance job prospects.

What is the job of a researcher?

A researcher is responsible for systematically investigating and analyzing information to generate new knowledge or insights in a specific field. They design experiments, collect and interpret data, and often use tools like statistical software or laboratory equipment. Researchers typically work in academic, scientific, or market environments and may require relevant qualifications or certifications.

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

To thrive as a Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and a solid educational background relevant to the research field, often at least a master's or doctoral degree. Familiarity with data analysis software, laboratory equipment, academic databases, and research methodologies is typically required. Excellent written and verbal communication, curiosity, and collaboration are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure rigorous, innovative research outcomes and effective knowledge sharing within the scientific community.

What is a researcher?

Researchers are professionals who systematically investigate topics to discover new information, validate existing knowledge, or solve problems. They work in various fields such as science, medicine, social sciences, and technology. Researchers design studies, collect and analyze data, and present their findings through reports, articles, or presentations. Their work is crucial for advancing knowledge and innovation in many industries.

What are some common challenges researchers face when working on collaborative projects, and how can they be addressed?

Researchers often encounter challenges such as coordinating across different disciplines, aligning project goals, and managing communication within collaborative teams. These issues can be addressed by establishing clear roles and responsibilities from the outset, holding regular meetings to ensure alignment, and using collaborative tools to track progress. Open communication and mutual respect among team members are essential for overcoming misunderstandings and fostering a productive research environment.

What do researchers do?

The main duty of a researcher is to perform research, the type depending greatly on the field in which you work. For example, someone who works in documentary film might do archival research and look for visual material that would fit well with a particular film. A researcher in a scientific field, such as biomedical technology, may look into particular drug treatments and provide information to clinical trial designers or other academic researchers. Many professors or academics perform research as part of their scholarly duties.

More about Researcher jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Researcher jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Researcher jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Researcher jobs in Washington? For Researcher jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Researcher jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Researcher jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Researcher jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Researcher job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Researcher jobs in WA? For Researcher jobs in WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Researcher job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,968 per year, or $26.9 per hour.

Vulnerability Researcher

Bigbear.ai

Annapolis Junction, MD • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Overview
Do you have a passion for uncovering hidden vulnerabilities and pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity research? Are you the kind of researcher who sees every system as a puzzle waiting to be solved? If so, BigBear.ai wants you on our team! We're seeking an elite Vulnerability Researcher that has an active TS/SCI with Poly clearance to join our cutting-edge team and deliver groundbreaking engineering and vulnerability research results that directly support national security missions. This is your chance to work on some of the most challenging and exciting research projects in the industry, discovering initial access capabilities and developing proof-of-concept exploits that make a real difference.
What you will do
Why This Role Is Unique
This isn't your typical cybersecurity role. As a Vulnerability Researcher at BigBear.ai, you'll:
  • Work on classified, mission-critical research that directly impacts national security.
  • Collaborate with elite teams of engineers and researchers who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of technology.
  • Have the freedom to explore and innovate, discovering previously unknown vulnerabilities across hardware, software, and operating systems.
  • See your research make a real difference in protecting national security interests.

What You'll Do
In this role, you'll:
  • Hunt for Vulnerabilities: Actively debug software, troubleshoot crashes, and analyze programmatic flow to uncover hidden security flaws in hardware components, software applications, and operating systems.
  • Analyze Source Code: Perform in-depth source code analysis to discover software vulnerabilities and author detailed documentation on the impact and severity of each finding.
  • Develop Proof-of-Concept Exploits: Create and demonstrate compelling proof-of-concept exploits against research targets, prototypes, and hands-on demonstrations of vulnerability analysis results

What you need to have
  • Clearance: TS/SCI with Poly (required).
  • Experience: With a minimum of 5 years of technical experience and a B.S. in a technical discipline. (4 additional years may be substituted in lieu of a degree.)
  • Programming Expertise: Minimum of 4 years of experience programming in Assembly, C, C#, C++, Perl, or Python in a production environment.
  • Technical Background:
    • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related field plus a minimum of 3 years of contiguous experience.
  • Reverse Engineering: Demonstrated experience in hardware or software reverse engineering.
  • Communication Skills: Demonstrated experience creating and delivering compelling technical presentations to diverse audiences.
  • Education: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related field, OR minimum of 2 years of experience in computer science, information systems, or network engineering.

What we'd like you to have
  • Proven Track Record: Demonstrated ability to discover multiple previously unknown vulnerabilities across multiple versions of similar technologies - the more obscure, the better!
  • Innovative Mindset: A relentless passion for pushing the boundaries of vulnerability research and developing creative solutions to the most complex challenges.
  • Collaborative Spirit: A desire to share knowledge and collaborate with a team of like-minded researchers who are equally passionate about cybersecurity.

About BigBear.ai
BigBear.ai is a leading provider of AI-powered decision intelligence solutions for national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. Customers and partners rely on Bigbear.ai's predictive analytics capabilities in highly complex, distributed, mission-based operating environments. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, BigBear.ai is a public company traded on the NYSE under the symbol BBAI. For more information, visit https://bigbear.ai/ and follow BigBear.ai on LinkedIn: @BigBear.ai and X: @BigBearai.
BigBear.ai is an Equal opportunity employer all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Apply