ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Salaried Exploit Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nightwing

Windows Vulnerability Research

Sterling, VA · On-site

$122K - $253K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Exploit development and exploitation * Proven expertise working with Windows operating systems ... This position is contingent upon award Salary & Benefits The salary associated with this position ...

Nwis

Windows Vulnerability Research

Sterling, VA · On-site

$122K - $253K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Exploit development and exploitation * Proven expertise working with Windows operating systems ... This position is contingent upon award Salary & Benefits The salary associated with this position ...

Interrupt Labs

Experienced Vulnerability Researcher

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Vulnerability Research and Exploit Development (VRED) take curiosity, perseverance and exceptional ... Salary: Packages are competitive and differ according to researcher experience. Full details can be ...

Bugcrowd

Cleared Vulnerability Research Engineer

$154K - $193K/yr

Job Summary This role is focused on end-to-end exploit development for real-world targets. The ... The provided salary details are based on US national averages and we retain the flexibility to ...

AnaVation

CNO Reverse Engineer

Hanover, MD

$185K - $190K/yr

Practical experience with exploit development, vulnerability discovery, binary exploitation, or ... The listed salary range reflects our market-based compensation structure. Final compensation will ...

AnaVation

CNO Reverse Engineer

Hanover, MD

$185K - $190K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Practical experience with exploit development, vulnerability discovery, binary exploitation, or ... The listed salary range reflects our market-based compensation structure. Final compensation will ...

AnaVation

CNO Reverse Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$185K - $190K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Practical experience with exploit development, vulnerability discovery, binary exploitation, or ... The listed salary range reflects our market-based compensation structure. Final compensation will ...

stanleyreid

CNO Developer - 10% 401k - FS Poly

Reston, VA · On-site

$131K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

They demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being with industry-leading salaries ... exploit development -Familiarity with embedded systems The work is located in Reston, VA and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All Jobssalaried JobsSalaried Exploit Development Jobs

Salaried Exploit Development information

See salary details

$8

$17

$24

How much do salaried exploit development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for salaried exploit development in the United States is $17.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a salaried exploit developer?

A Salaried Exploit Developer is a cybersecurity professional who is employed by an organization to research, identify, and develop software exploits—ways to take advantage of vulnerabilities in computer systems or applications. Unlike freelance or independent security researchers, salaried exploit developers work as part of a security team, often within penetration testing firms, defense contractors, or tech companies. Their work can involve both offensive (discovering vulnerabilities to test defenses) and defensive (helping to patch or mitigate vulnerabilities) tasks. These roles require strong programming skills, a deep understanding of operating systems, and knowledge of security protocols. Salaried Exploit Developers may also be involved in responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities to affected vendors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a salaried exploit developer?

To thrive as a Salaried Exploit Developer, you need deep expertise in computer science, reverse engineering, vulnerability analysis, and low-level programming, often backed by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with tools like IDA Pro, Ghidra, debuggers, and operating system internals is crucial, and certifications such as OSCP or OSCE can be advantageous. Creativity, persistence, and strong problem-solving abilities are standout soft skills in this role. These qualifications are essential for identifying, developing, and responsibly handling software exploits in a secure and ethical manner.

What are some typical challenges encountered by professionals in salaried exploit development roles?

Professionals in salaried exploit development roles often face challenges such as staying current with rapidly evolving security technologies and patch cycles. They must continuously research new vulnerabilities and develop creative solutions to bypass updated security mechanisms, which can be highly demanding. Collaborating closely with security analysts and other developers is essential to ensure responsible disclosure and risk management. Additionally, balancing project deadlines with the need for meticulous testing and documentation can be a significant challenge in this field.

What is the difference between Salaried Exploit Development vs Penetration Tester?

AspectSalaried Exploit DevelopmentPenetration Tester
CredentialsSecurity certifications, programming skillsSecurity certifications, testing experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, security firms, internal teamsClient sites, corporate environments, consulting firms
Industry UsageCybersecurity, offensive securityCybersecurity, vulnerability assessment

Salaried Exploit Developers focus on creating and testing exploits for security research or defensive purposes, often working in labs or R&D settings. Penetration Testers simulate attacks to identify vulnerabilities in client systems. While both roles require security knowledge and technical skills, Exploit Developers primarily develop exploits, whereas Penetration Testers perform assessments and reporting. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in cybersecurity.

More about Salaried Exploit Development jobs

What cities are hiring for Salaried Exploit Development jobs?

Cities with the most Salaried 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 Salaried Exploit Development jobs?

States with the most job openings for Salaried Exploit Development jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Salaried Exploit Development jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Salaried Exploit Development jobs are:

Salaried Exploit Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Salaried Exploit Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,436 per year, or $17 per hour.

Windows Vulnerability Research with Security Clearance

Nightwing

Sterling, VA • On-site

$122K - $253K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers' most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets. Nightwing is seeking a highly skilled Windows Vulnerability Research (VR) Engineer to support advanced research, development, and exploitation efforts on Windows platforms. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in low-level programming, vulnerability research, and exploit development, along with a strong background in secure software analysis. Required Qualifications
In addition to meeting all baseline technical requirements for contractor technical personnel, the candidate must possess, at a minimum, the following: * Current TS/SCI with Poly Clearance
* At least three (3) years of professional experience in each of the following: * Developing, testing, and debugging software in C
* Developing, testing, and debugging software in C++
* Developing, testing, and debugging software in Python
* Demonstrated hands-on experience in: * Vulnerability Research (VR)
* Reverse Engineering (RE)
* Exploit development and exploitation
* Proven expertise working with Windows operating systems, including internal architectures, debugging, and security mechanisms
Preferred Skills (Optional - if you want to add them later) * Experience with Windows kernel internals
* Familiarity with common reverse engineering tools and debuggers
* Understanding of modern exploit mitigations and bypass techniques
* Experience supporting mission-critical or government systems Please Note: This position is contingent upon award Salary & Benefits
The salary associated with this position ($122,000-$253,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards. Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances. Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

Apply