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Reverse Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Metalware, Inc.

Founding Engineer (multiple)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$97K - $129K/yr

... reverse-engineer firmware binaries to uncover vulnerabilities and improve detection accuracy. • Research cutting-edge techniques in binary analysis, symbolic execution, and adversarial testing ...

Astera

Staff Software Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$200K - $500K/yr

Position Summary We are looking for an ambitious Staff Software Engineer to help us reverse-engineer the human brain. This role spans a broad spectrum of activities: * Define and architect high ...

Astera

Senior Software Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$100K - $400K/yr

Position Summary We are looking for an ambitious Senior Software Engineer to help us reverse-engineer the human brain. This role spans a broad spectrum of activities: * Architect high-performance ...

Astera

Principal Software Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$300K - $600K/yr

Position Summary We are looking for an ambitious Staff Software Engineer to help us reverse-engineer the human brain. This role spans a broad spectrum of activities: * Define and architect high ...

Elliott Group

Shop Engineer - Turbomachinery

Fairfield, CA · On-site

$105K - $150K/yr

Execute reverse engineering assignments and provide technical support for component repairs, rerates, and rework. * Quality Management: Develop quality plans, manage the tool calibration system, and ...

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All JobsReverse Engineer JobsReverse Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Reverse Engineer information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$100.4K

$166.9K

$238.8K

How much do reverse engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for reverse engineer in Berkeley, CA is $166,873.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,000.00 and $218,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a reverse engineer?

A reverse engineer is a software developer or programmer who specializes in analyzing software to figure out the code base of a program. The tools and techniques they use are helpful in trying to identify and exploit weaknesses in a product’s source code, developing solutions to security holes, and recreating proprietary functionality from a competitor’s product. As a reverse engineer, your job duties include studying and analyzing software programs and online applications, using developer tools to parse code, and creating quality solutions.

What is a reverse engineer?

A reverse engineer is a professional who analyzes hardware or software systems to understand their design, functionality, and operation. They often work to identify vulnerabilities, recreate proprietary technologies, or ensure compatibility with other systems. Reverse engineers use specialized tools and techniques to deconstruct and study products, which is especially common in cybersecurity, software development, and electronics. Their work helps improve security, troubleshoot issues, and sometimes develop new innovations based on existing products.

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

To thrive as a Reverse Engineer, you need expertise in computer programming, software debugging, and a solid understanding of operating systems and low-level software architecture, often backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg, and knowledge of assembly languages are commonly required, with certifications such as CEH or OSCP adding value. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and perseverance are crucial soft skills for analyzing complex systems and uncovering hidden functionalities. These skills ensure accurate, efficient analysis of software for security assessments, malware analysis, and intellectual property protection.

What are some common challenges faced by reverse engineers when working on proprietary software or hardware?

Reverse engineers often encounter challenges such as obfuscated code, lack of documentation, and anti-tamper mechanisms designed to prevent analysis. Working with proprietary systems can require extensive problem-solving and persistence to understand undocumented protocols or custom algorithms. Collaboration with security analysts and developers is common, especially when identifying vulnerabilities or developing interoperability solutions. Staying up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques is crucial, as software protections continually evolve.

What is the difference between Reverse Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectReverse EngineerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in Computer Science or related field; strong understanding of programming and systemsDegree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field; programming skills essential
Work EnvironmentOften in cybersecurity, security firms, or R&D; may involve analyzing proprietary or legacy softwareIn software companies, tech startups, or IT departments; developing new applications and systems
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in cybersecurity, software analysis, and malware investigationUsed across tech, finance, healthcare, and many other industries for product development

While both roles require strong programming skills and a background in computer science, Reverse Engineers focus on analyzing existing software, often for security or compatibility purposes. Software Developers create new software solutions. The roles differ mainly in their objectives and work environments, but share foundational technical skills.

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Reverse Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Reverse Engineer job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $166,873 per year, or $80.2 per hour.

Founding Engineer (multiple)

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Metalware, Inc.
See more jobs at Metalware, Inc.external

$97K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Metalware, Inc. develops advanced firmware analysis and security solutions for critical industries. They are seeking Founding Engineers to drive product development, focusing on creating new features and improving their firmware analysis platform.
Responsibilities:
• Engage in the entire product lifecycle from identifying relevant latest research to developing prototypes and building robust and scalable solutions.
• Add support for a variety of CPU architectures, real-time operating systems, and custom hardware interfaces.
• Analyze and reverse-engineer firmware binaries to uncover vulnerabilities and improve detection accuracy.
• Research cutting-edge techniques in binary analysis, symbolic execution, and adversarial testing, contributing to both internal R&D and external security communities.
• Design and implement ML/AI architectures that can interpret binary data, facilitating automated symbolic recovery and analysis of stripped firmware images.
• Gather and incorporate user feedback to continuously improve product features and performance.
• Engage in architecture, design, and code reviews to build robust, scalable solutions.
• Publish and present white papers, conference talks, and technical reports to industry and government communities.
• Further our mission to make it easier to ship safe software.
Qualifications:
Required:
• You are proficient in Rust, C, or C++, and have meaningful experience (personal or professional) in embedded or systems software development.
• You are skilled in one or more of the following: Software Engineering, Security Engineering, Vulnerability Research, Machine Learning, LLMs, and Computer Architecture.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related discipline OR 3+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet project deadlines and deliverables.
Preferred:
• Solid understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, kernels, drivers, networking protocols, and mathematics.
• Experience embedded security, reverse engineering, and tools such as Ghidra, Binary Ninja, or IDA Pro.
• Knowledge of emulator frameworks like QEMU, including Tiny Code Generator (TCG).
• Familiarity with instruction set architectures (ISA) such as ARM, MIPS, and RISC-V.
• Experience with LLMs or traditional AI/ML for pattern recognition and automated reasoning tasks.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices and standards.
• Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization, and testing methodologies.
• Past participation in Capture the Flag competitions (CTFs).
Company:
Metalware helps protect cyber-physical systems in critical industries. Founded in 2023, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 2-10 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

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