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Senior Security Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Senior Security Researchers

Redmond, WA · On-site

$158K - $258K/yr

Responsibilities As a Senior Security Researcher, you will: * Research emerging attack vectors and techniques. * Analyze detection and prevention gaps and understand root cause. * Design and develop ...

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Senior Security Researcher information

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How much do senior security researcher jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior 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 are some common challenges faced by Senior Security Researchers when working with cross-functional teams?

Senior Security Researchers often collaborate with engineers, product managers, and IT teams to identify and address security vulnerabilities. One common challenge is bridging the gap between technical security findings and the priorities or understanding of non-security stakeholders. Communicating complex risks in a clear, actionable way and advocating for security improvements without disrupting project timelines requires strong interpersonal skills. Building mutual trust and staying adaptable helps foster effective collaboration and ensures security is integrated into all stages of development.

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

To thrive as a Senior Security Researcher, you need deep expertise in cybersecurity principles, threat analysis, vulnerability assessment, and typically a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with tools like IDA Pro, Wireshark, Metasploit, and experience with programming languages such as Python or C/C++, as well as relevant certifications like OSCP or CISSP, are highly valuable. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and strong written and verbal communication skills make someone stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for identifying and mitigating complex security threats, effectively sharing findings, and contributing to organizational resilience.

What does a Senior Security Researcher do?

A Senior Security Researcher is responsible for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security threats and vulnerabilities in software, systems, or networks. They conduct advanced research on emerging cyber threats, develop new security tools and techniques, and often collaborate with other teams to improve an organization’s overall security posture. Additionally, they may publish findings, present at conferences, and contribute to the security community by sharing knowledge about the latest attack vectors and defense strategies.
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What cities are hiring for Senior Security Researcher jobs? Cities with the most Senior Security Researcher job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Security Researcher jobs? The most popular types of Security Researcher jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Security Researcher jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Security Researcher jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Security Researcher job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,000 per year, or $51.4 per hour.
Intern - Security Researcher - PhD Pipline

Intern - Security Researcher - PhD Pipline

Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$129K - $208K/yr

Other

Posted 22 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Build and enhance automation systems for efficient data collection and real-time processing to support threat analysis.

  • Apply AI/ML techniques to analyze live network traffic for the detection, analysis, and mitigation of emerging security threats.

  • Research and propose effective network security countermeasures to identify and neutralize various cyber-attack vectors.


Job description

Security Researcher Intern

At Palo Alto Networks®, we're united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you're ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you're in the right place.

In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!

We believe collaboration thrives in person. That's why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it's needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.

Job Summary

We are looking for a passionate and self-driven Security Researcher Intern to join our Cloud-Delivered Security Services team. As a Security Researcher you will play a critical role in developing and refining security content that powers our next-generation products. You'll work on building and optimizing automation systems to gather and process real-time data, supporting the detection and prevention of malware and other digital threats. Collaborating with experienced security researchers, you'll analyze emerging threats and contribute to robust security solutions. Our Internship Program Our program provides mentorship, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to work on impactful projects. You'll connect with other interns, recent graduates, and seasoned professionals, thriving in an environment that values curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop an understanding of next-generation firewalls and their application in modern network security.
  • Build and enhance automation systems for efficient data collection and real-time processing to support threat analysis.
  • Apply AI/ML techniques to analyze live network traffic for the detection, analysis, and mitigation of emerging security threats.
  • Research and propose effective network security countermeasures to identify and neutralize various cyber-attack vectors.
  • Proactively collaborate with senior security researchers to analyze adversarial tactics and contribute to the implementation of proactive security protections.
Qualifications

Required Qualifications Currently pursuing a 2-year Master's degree or Doctorate in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with a planned return to school post-internship. Must be authorized to work in the United States. Available for a May or June 2025 start date.

Preferred Qualifications Currently pursuing a Doctorate (PhD) degree. Experience with ML/GenAI techniques (e.g., anomaly detection, deep learning, NLP) and tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn). Exposure to malware analysis and participation in Capture-the-Flag (CTF) exercises. Hands-on experience with traffic analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, tcpdump) or reverse engineering tools. Basic understanding of malware types (e.g., Spyware, Ransomware, Exploits) and common vulnerabilities (e.g., command injection, buffer overflow). Familiarity with key network protocols such as HTTP, SMTP, and FTP. Proficiency in at least one programming language, such as Python or Go.

Compensation Disclosure The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

$129,100.00 - $208,825.00/yr

We're trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity's status quo. It's simple: we can't accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.