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Security Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

depthfirst

Security Researcher

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Security Researcher will build technology for vulnerability discovery, collaborate with AI researchers, and contribute to developing advanced detection capabilities. Responsibilities : • Build ...

DepthFirst

Security Researcher

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About this role We're seeking an experienced Security Researcher to join our effort in building and training AI agents for vulnerability discovery and exploitation. We are building a technology ...

DepthFirst

Security Researcher

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About this role We're seeking an experienced Security Researcher to join our effort in building and training AI agents for vulnerability discovery and exploitation. We are building a technology ...

GitHub

Staff Security Researcher

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

As a Staff Security Researcher, you'll work alongside a globally distributed team to perform elite security research that uncovers and mitigates emerging patterns, empower maintainers and developers ...

Iru

Security Researcher

Miami, FL · Hybrid

The Opportunity We are looking for a Security Researcher specializing in Windows and macOS threat detection to join our small, focused Threat Intelligence and Research team. In this role, you'll ...

SecSrvr

Software Security Researcher

Houston, TX · On-site

About the Software Security Researcher position We are looking for an experienced Security Engineer who will analyze our software designs and implementations from a security perspective, in order to ...

Iru

Security Researcher

Miami, FL · Hybrid

The Opportunity We are looking for a Security Researcher specializing in Windows and macOS threat detection to join our small, focused Threat Intelligence and Research team. In this role, you'll ...

BeyondTrust

Staff Security Researcher

The Role As a Staff Research Engineer, you'll drive the evolution of our identity security platform by combining cutting-edge security research with robust engineering practices. You'll work at the ...

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 ...

Cmu

AI Security Researcher

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

Are you excited about pioneering new research areas that will impact academia, industry, and national security? If so, we want you for our team, where you'll collaborate to deliver high-quality ...

Microsoft

Senior Security Researcher

Redmond, WA · On-site

Responsibilities As a Senior Security Researcher on the MTP Research Purple Team, you will: • Design and execute adversary simulations that emulate real-world threat actors across endpoint ...

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How much do security researcher jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for security researcher in the United States is $51.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.76 and $53.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Security Researcher?

A security researcher keeps up-to-date on all the latest developments in threats to computer software and networks. These threats include different types of malware, such as computer viruses, malicious software and scripts, and direct attacks on a network. The main duties of a security researcher are to investigate existing types of malware, analyze their capabilities, and attempt to predict new forms of malware to develop appropriate security responses. They may reverse engineer malware or test security systems.

What are Security Researchers?

Security Researchers are professionals who analyze computer systems, networks, and software to identify vulnerabilities and potential security threats. They often discover new types of cyberattacks, develop tools or methods to test for weaknesses, and recommend ways to improve security. Security Researchers may work for private companies, government agencies, or independently, and they play a crucial role in preventing cybercrime by staying ahead of hackers. Their work often involves reverse engineering, penetration testing, and publishing their findings to help strengthen cybersecurity across the industry.

What is the difference between Security Researcher vs Security Analyst?

AspectSecurity ResearcherSecurity Analyst
CredentialsCertifications like CISSP, CEH, OSCPCertifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, GIAC
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, cybersecurity firms, R&D teamsSecurity operations centers, corporate IT teams
Employer & IndustryTech companies, cybersecurity firms, government agenciesFinancial institutions, healthcare, enterprise companies
Primary FocusIdentifying vulnerabilities, developing exploits, analyzing threatsMonitoring security systems, incident response, implementing security measures

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, Security Researchers primarily analyze vulnerabilities and develop exploits to understand threats better. Security Analysts focus on monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents within organizations. Both roles often require similar certifications and work in related environments, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and daily tasks.

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

To thrive as a Security Researcher, you need deep expertise in computer science, networking, vulnerability assessment, and malware analysis, often supported by a degree in cybersecurity or related fields. Familiarity with tools like IDA Pro, Wireshark, Metasploit, and certifications such as OSCP or CEH is highly valued. Analytical thinking, curiosity, and strong written and verbal communication help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for identifying emerging threats, effectively communicating risks, and developing solutions to protect organizations' digital assets.

What are some common challenges Security Researchers face when collaborating with development teams?

Security Researchers often encounter challenges when working with development teams, such as communicating complex vulnerabilities in a way that is actionable for developers and aligning on remediation priorities. Bridging the gap between security findings and practical implementation requires clear documentation and a collaborative mindset. Additionally, researchers must balance thorough testing with minimal disruption to production environments, ensuring security improvements integrate smoothly into development cycles.
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Security Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Security Researcher job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,000 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Security Researcher

depthfirst

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Depthfirst is on a mission to solve security by building intelligence to detect and remediate critical software vulnerabilities. The Security Researcher will build technology for vulnerability discovery, collaborate with AI researchers, and contribute to developing advanced detection capabilities.
Responsibilities:
• Build a technology capable of finding novel vulnerabilities at scale both in open source and proprietary codebases
• Develop techniques to reduce false positives leveraging automated exploitation, proof of concept generation and context inference
• Work closely with engineers to understand limitations and design new methodologies to improve our system
• Publish internal technical reports and contribute to security advisories as needed
• Work on a Product that Solves a Critical Problem - and we already have a handful of customers who have found it valuable in fixing some eye-opening vulnerabilities within the first few days of using our product.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 3+ years of full-time experience in security research, offensive security, or related fields.
• Experience with finding vulnerabilities in source code
• Experience creating PoC exploits for vulnerabilities
• Programming experience in Python
• A bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Software Engineering or equivalent industry experience
• A love for technology, and an insatiable curiosity for new tools to tackle real problems
• Capable of solving complex problems with simple solutions. Building reliable and scalable products, making right trade-offs along the way
• A tendency to leave things in a better way than you found it
Company:
Applied AI lab focused on cybersecurity Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

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