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Vulnerability Researcher Contractor Jobs in Azusa, CA

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Vulnerability Researcher Contractor information

See Azusa, CA salary details

$30.5K

$115.1K

$167.4K

How much do vulnerability researcher contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for vulnerability researcher contractor in Azusa, CA is $115,063.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,200.00 and $156,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 job categories do people searching Vulnerability Researcher Contractor jobs in Azusa, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Vulnerability Researcher Contractor jobs in Azusa, CA are:

What cities near Azusa, CA are hiring for Vulnerability Researcher Contractor jobs?

Cities near Azusa, CA with the most Vulnerability Researcher Contractor job openings:

Vulnerability Researcher Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vulnerability Researcher Contractor job openings in Azusa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,063 per year, or $55.3 per hour.

Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO)

Contact Government Services, LLC

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

ISSO
Employment Type: Full-Time, Experienced 
Department: Information Technology 

CGS is seeking an Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) with DIACAP and/or RMF experience who has deep expertise in security assessment documentation to support Dept. of Commerce systems and efforts to achieve their Authorization to Operate (ATO). This position is located at the client site in the Herbert Hoover building in Washington, DC. The scope of this position includes full life-cycle Assessment and Authorization (A&A) management through all 6 Steps of the RMF process in support of the Government ISSM.In this role, you'll conduct security assessment, and information system security oversight activities in accordance with NIST 800.53 that support systems from the perspective RMF requirements.  

CGS brings motivated, highly skilled, and creative people together to solve the government's most dynamic problems with cutting-edge technology. To carry out our mission, we are seeking candidates who are excited to contribute to government innovation, appreciate collaboration, and can anticipate the needs of others. Here at CGS, we offer an environment in which our employees feel supported, and we encourage professional growth through various learning opportunities. 

Skills and attributes for success:
- Review systems to identify potential security weaknesses and recommend improvements to amend vulnerabilities, implement changes, and document upgrades. 
- Maintain responsibility for managing cybersecurity risk from an organizational perspective. 
- Identify organizational risks, prioritize those risks, and maintain a risk registry for escalating and presenting those risks to senior leadership.
- Provide security guidance and IS validation using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) RMF, DoC, and local security policies.
- Providing configuration management (CM) recommendations for information system security software, hardware, and firmware and coordinating changes and modifications with the ISSM, Security Control Assessor (SCA), and Authorizing Official (AO).
- Maintain vulnerability scanning tool compliance, such as HBSS or ACAS, and patch management, such as IAVM to ensure IT staff pushes patches to all systems in an effort to maintain compliance with all applicable directives, manage system changes, and assess the security impact of those changes.
- Support security authorization activities, including transitioning from the legacy Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) to compliance with the DoC RMF.
- Provide subject matter expertise for cyber security and trusted system technology. 
- Apply advanced technical knowledge and analysis of specialized functional areas in task requirements to develop solutions to complex problems.
- Research, write, review, disposition feedback, and finalize recommendations regarding cyber security policy, assessment and authorization assessments (A&As), security test and evaluation reports, and security engineering practices and processes. 
- Conduct research and write risk assessment reports to include risk thresholds, evaluation, and scoring.
- Support analysis of the findings and provide expert technical guidance for mitigation strategies, including implementation advice on the cyber security risk findings, and other complex problems. 

Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree.
- A minimum of five (5) years experience as an Information Assurance (IA) Analyst, ISSE, ISSO, or similar role in ATO package development, including generating security documentation for requirements, security control assessment, STIG and IAVA compliance, Standard Operating Procedures, test results, etc.
- eMASS experience.
- Professional security certification such as: CCNA Security, CySA+, GICSP, GSEC, CompTIA Security+ CE, SSCP, or higher.
- Strong desktop publishing skills using Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Experience with industry writing styles such as grammar, sentence form, and structure.
- Ability to multi-task in a deadline-oriented environment.

Ideally, you will also have:
- CISSP, CASP, or a similar certificate is preferred.
- Master's Degree in Cybersecurity or related field.
- Strong initiative, detail orientation, organizational skills, and aptitude for analytical thinking.
- Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as a part of a team.
- Excellent work ethic and a high commitment to quality.

Our Commitment:
Contact Government Services (CGS) strives to simplify and enhance government bureaucracy through the optimization of human, technical, and financial resources. We combine cutting-edge technology with world-class personnel to deliver customized solutions that fit our client's specific needs. We are committed to solving the most challenging and dynamic problems.

For the past seven years, we've been growing our government contracting portfolio, and along the way, we've created valuable partnerships by demonstrating a commitment to honesty, professionalism, and quality work.

Here at CGS we value honesty through hard work and self-awareness, professionalism in all we do, and to deliver the best quality to our consumers mending those relations for years to come.

We care about our employees. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive benefits package.
Health, Dental, and Vision
Life Insurance
401k
Flexible Spending Account (Health, Dependent Care, and Commuter)
Paid Time Off and Observance of State/Federal Holidays

Contact Government Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Join our team and become part of government innovation!
Explore additional job opportunities with CGS on our Job Board:
https://cgsfederal.com/join-our-team/
For more information about CGS please visit: https://www.cgsfederal.com or contact:
Email: [email protected]

#CJ
$92,213.33 - $125,146.66 a year
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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