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Senior Reverse Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

STR

Senior Reverse Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$134K - $184K/yr

STR is hiring a Senior Reverse Engineer who has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. Work must be performed onsite. What you'll do: * Reverse engineering ...

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Senior Reverse Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$67.4K

$143.3K

$207.8K

How much do senior reverse engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior reverse engineer in Washington, DC is $143,338.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $162,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior reverse engineer?

Senior Reverse Engineers are experienced professionals who analyze software, hardware, or systems to understand their design, functionality, and vulnerabilities. They often work to deconstruct compiled code or firmware to identify security flaws, ensure software compliance, or aid in malware analysis. Their expertise is crucial in cybersecurity, forensics, and software interoperability, as they help organizations protect against threats and improve system resilience. Senior Reverse Engineers typically have advanced knowledge of programming languages, debugging tools, and operating systems. They may also lead teams, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to strategic security initiatives.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a senior reverse engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Reverse Engineer, you need deep expertise in software analysis, assembly language, malware analysis, and computer architecture, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Proficiency with tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg, and experience with debuggers and disassemblers are typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills that set top performers apart. These skills and tools are vital for dissecting complex software, identifying vulnerabilities, and developing effective security solutions.

What are common challenges faced by senior reverse engineers when analyzing complex software?

Senior Reverse Engineers often encounter challenges such as heavily obfuscated or packed binaries, lack of documentation, and anti-reverse engineering techniques implemented by developers. These obstacles require deep knowledge of assembly language, debugging tools, and creative problem-solving skills. Collaboration with other security professionals, such as malware analysts or incident responders, is also common to share insights and overcome particularly difficult cases. Staying up-to-date with evolving software protection methods is essential for continued success in this role.

What is the difference between Senior Reverse Engineer vs Malware Analyst?

AspectSenior Reverse EngineerMalware Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, cybersecurity certifications (e.g., GREM, OSCP)Bachelor's in Cybersecurity, malware analysis certifications (e.g., GREM, GIAC)
Work EnvironmentSecurity firms, tech companies, government agenciesSecurity firms, government agencies, incident response teams
Industry UsageAnalyzing complex software, debugging, reverse engineering binariesDetecting, analyzing, and mitigating malware threats
Comparison FocusDeep reverse engineering skills, software analysisMalware detection and threat analysis

While both roles require cybersecurity expertise and reverse engineering skills, Senior Reverse Engineers focus on analyzing software at a code level, often working on complex binaries and software vulnerabilities. Malware Analysts specialize in identifying and understanding malicious code to mitigate threats. Both roles are vital in cybersecurity but differ in their primary focus and daily tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Reverse Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Reverse Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Senior Reverse Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Reverse Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,338 per year, or $68.9 per hour.

Senior Reverse Engineer

STR

Arlington, VA • On-site

$134K - $184K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

STR is hiring aSenior Reverse Engineerwho has a passion for research and analysis of vulnerabilities in cyber physical systems. Work must be performed onsite. 

What you'll do: 

  • Reverse engineering complex software or firmware targets, ranging from typical Windows/Linux binaries to embedded firmware running non-traditional computer architectures and operating systems
  • Developing and applying automated reverse engineering and binary analysis tools to characterize protocols, interfaces, and functionality of target systems
  • Working in multi-discipline teams to develop innovative offensive cyber solutions to challenging problems from a wide variety of technologies 
  • Performing vulnerability weaponization, exploit development, payload development, and exploit mitigation on a variety of challenging targets 
  • Documenting, demonstrating, and presenting research 
  • Solving real world problems that have an impact on national security

Who you are: 

  • This position requires the ability to obtain anActive Top Secret (TS) security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by the U.S. Government 
  • Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity or related field plus a minimum of 5 years relevant experience 
    (MS or PhD with equivalent work experience may also be considered) 
  • Experience with binary analysis of software/firmware 
  • Experience with disassembly tools, such as IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or Ghidra 
  • Proficiency in one or more programming languages: C/C++, Python, etc. 
  • Proficiency in one or more Assembly Languages: x86, ARM, etc. 
  • General understanding of reverse engineering fundamentals: memory layout, calling conventions, etc. 

Nice to haves: 

  • Vulnerability research and analysis
  • Knowledge of weaponizing discovered vulnerabilities into exploits 
  • Implant or software patch development 
  • Familiarity with binary emulation or vulnerability research, including tools such as QEMU or AFL++ 
  • Experience with DSP architectures, such as Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, NXP, or Analog Devices. 
  • Knowledge of operating system internals including memory/process/thread management 
  • Embedded systems or firmware analysis 
  • Experience development custom emulation tools to enable dynamic analysis 
  • Disassembler/decompiler module development 
  • Experience analyzing and reconstructing code/data flow 
  • Automated reverse engineering or software analysis tool development 
  • Experience debugging software without source code 
  • Knowledge of binary file structures and formats 
  • Experience analyzing protocols or message structures 
  • Knowledge of anti-reverse engineering techniques 
  • Knowledge of intrusion detection and anti-malware systems and techniques

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $134,000 - $184,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

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