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Vulnerability Researcher Contractor Jobs in Colorado

Senior Network Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$115K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Vulnerability remediation * Incident response activities * Compliance readiness efforts ... Prior experience in aerospace, defense, government contracting, or similarly regulated industries ...

Senior Software Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$128K - $170K/yr

The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as ... Support integration events with sponsor, contractor, and mission partner teams by preparing ...

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Showing results 21-35

Vulnerability Researcher Contractor information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vulnerability researcher contractor?

To thrive as a Vulnerability Researcher Contractor, you need a deep understanding of computer systems, networking, programming languages (such as C/C++, Python), and a strong background in cybersecurity, often supported by relevant degrees or certifications like OSCP or CEH. Familiarity with vulnerability assessment tools (e.g., IDA Pro, Burp Suite, Metasploit), reverse engineering platforms, and bug tracking systems is typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective written communication are vital soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the accurate identification, documentation, and mitigation of security vulnerabilities, which are crucial for protecting organizational assets.

What are the typical collaboration dynamics for a vulnerability researcher contractor within cybersecurity teams?

As a Vulnerability Researcher Contractor, you’ll often work closely with internal security teams, developers, and sometimes external clients to identify, analyze, and document security flaws. Despite being a contractor, you’ll participate in regular team meetings, share findings, and sometimes assist in developing proof-of-concept exploits or remediation guidance. The role requires strong communication skills, as you’ll need to clearly explain technical vulnerabilities to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Contract positions may also require rapid onboarding and adaptability to different workflows, making flexibility and proactive communication essential.

What does a vulnerability researcher contractor do?

A Vulnerability Researcher Contractor is an information security professional who specializes in identifying, analyzing, and documenting security vulnerabilities in software, systems, or networks. They are often hired on a temporary or project basis to assess the security posture of an organization or specific products. Their responsibilities may include conducting penetration tests, reverse engineering software, developing proof-of-concept exploits, and providing recommendations for mitigating discovered vulnerabilities. Contractors in this role typically work independently or as part of a security team and may present their findings to stakeholders or assist in developing security patches.

What is the difference between Vulnerability Researcher Contractor vs Penetration Tester?

AspectVulnerability Researcher ContractorPenetration Tester
CredentialsCertifications like OSCP, CEH, CISSP often preferredSimilar certifications, often including OSCP, CEH, GPEN
Work EnvironmentResearch-focused, analyzing vulnerabilities in systems and softwarePractical testing, simulating attacks to identify security gaps
Employer & Industry UsageConsulting firms, cybersecurity companies, freelance rolesSecurity firms, internal security teams, consulting roles
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research vs active testing rolesDistinguishing between research and hands-on attack simulation

While both roles involve cybersecurity expertise, Vulnerability Researcher Contractors focus on discovering and analyzing vulnerabilities through research, whereas Penetration Testers actively simulate attacks to evaluate security defenses. Both roles often require similar certifications and work in related environments, but their core activities differ: research versus practical testing.

What are popular job titles related to Vulnerability Researcher Contractor jobs in Colorado?

For Vulnerability Researcher Contractor jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Vulnerability Researcher Contractor jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Vulnerability Researcher Contractor jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Vulnerability Researcher Contractor jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Vulnerability Researcher Contractor job openings:

Infographic showing various Vulnerability Researcher Contractor job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Senior Cyber Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

Colorado Springs, CO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers' portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

As the Senior Cyber Engineer on the Enterprise Mission Infrastructure and Platform (EMIP) team, you will be responsible for providing matrixed technical and programmatic leadership and support across multiple Space Force program offices such as Battlefield Management Command, Control, Communications, and Space Intelligence (BMC3I), Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI), the Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC), among others. This role provides critical accreditation, cyber security, and systems engineering support for our various customers and users along with acquisition planning and execution support for their current and future needs across all classification levels. You will facilitate the definition of security objectives, develop system security requirements and verification methods, and support mission-critical engineering decisions by providing a cybersecurity-informed perspective. Your work will ensure that security objectives, protection needs, assurance requirements, and risk management strategies are clearly defined, implemented, and validated.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facilities in Colorado Springs, CO or El Segundo, CA.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Provide comprehensive cybersecurity systems engineering support to government and contracted personnel in the areas of architecture, configuration management, security assessments, and navigating accreditation issues/concerns
  • Engineer, implement and monitor security measures for the protection of cyberspace systems, networks and information throughout the system development lifecycle
  • Review and design security architecture for next generation space mission systems and provide recommendations on security improvements to the system's baseline
  • Identify and define system security requirements and develop detailed cybersecurity designs that align with mission objectives
  • Identify and recommend strategies for mitigation and/or removal of ground and space cybersecurity vulnerabilities
  • Participate in risk management activities to ensure cybersecurity risks are evaluated and effective mitigations applied in accordance with security directives
  • Provide cybersecurity expertise in support of critical decision points and provide ground truth assessments of security events/activities and posture
  • Review cybersecurity test procedures for requirements satisfaction, including participation in Test Readiness Review activities and witnessing of test events

What You Need to be Successful:

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Engineer - Cyber Security & Cloud Computing Architecture:

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM or in Information Security/Technology, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related subject area
  • 10 or more years of system security experience across multiple cybersecurity domains (applications security, defensive cyber operations, vulnerability analysis, reverse engineering, network security, embedded systems security) with proven track record of delivering mission-critical security solutions
  • Cyber Security certification(s) meeting DoD 8140 requirements
  • Demonstrated experience leading cybersecurity teams and programs, with the ability to analyze complex problems and deliver effective solutions in high pressure environments that directly impact mission success
  • Experience defining and analyzing threat/vulnerability likelihood, coupled with mission impact, to determine risk
  • Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site approx. 20% of the time if required
  • This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance, with ability to obtain Special Access (SAP), which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

  • Advanced degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering, or Software Engineering.
  • Multiple cybersecurity certification(CISSP, CISSP-ISSAP, CISSP-ISSEP, C|EH, SANS, etc.)
  • Understanding of satellite system design and technology along with the challenges associated with securing them.
  • Experience with Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) planning and implementation.
  • Experience with various cloud offerings and services (AWS, Azure, VMWare, and other relevant technologies).
  • Experience developing technical solutions and new security tools to help mitigate security vulnerabilities and automate repeatable tasks.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$166,400.00 - $249,600.00Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

  • Operate Strategically
  • Lead Change
  • Engage with Impact
  • Foster Innovation
  • Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

  • Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

  • 401(k) Plan - Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

  • Flexible spending accounts

  • Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

  • Relocation assistance

  • Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

  • Education assistance programs

  • An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other-the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color,religion,geneticinformation, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by emailatpeoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.