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Vulnerability Researcher Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Red teaming here is not vulnerability coverage and not automated control validation, it's objective ... are for research and development. You'll have Hack The Box Pro Labs and role-based paths ...

Identifies potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk through analysis and assessment. Develops, implements, and audits a plan of action for all areas by conducting research on established ...

Use approved AI tools, including ChatGPT and Codex, for research, analysis, documentation ... vulnerability management. * Evaluate new technologies through technical assessments, proof-of ...

Identifies potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk through analysis and assessment. Develops, implements, and audits a plan of action for all areas by conducting research on established ...

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Vulnerability Researcher information

See Tennessee salary details

$27.2K

$102.7K

$149.3K

How much do vulnerability researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for vulnerability researcher in Tennessee is $102,653.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,800.00 and $139,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a vulnerability researcher?

A Vulnerability Researcher is a cybersecurity professional who identifies, analyzes, and reports security flaws in software, hardware, and networks. They use reverse engineering, fuzzing, and static analysis techniques to discover vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. Their work helps improve security by collaborating with developers and security teams to implement patches and mitigations. Often, they contribute to responsible disclosure programs or work for organizations focused on threat intelligence and cybersecurity defense.

What does a vulnerability researcher do?

A typical day for a Vulnerability Researcher involves researching the latest security vulnerabilities, analyzing software or hardware for potential weaknesses, and developing proof-of-concept exploits or mitigation techniques. You may spend time reviewing code, using reverse engineering or fuzzing tools, and documenting your findings for technical and non-technical stakeholders. Collaboration with security teams, software engineers, and sometimes external vendors is common to ensure vulnerabilities are addressed properly. The work is dynamic, often requiring you to stay updated on emerging threats and continuously refine your research skills.

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

To thrive as a Vulnerability Researcher, you need a strong background in computer science, proficiency in programming languages like Python or C/C++, and an in-depth understanding of operating systems and networking. Familiarity with penetration testing tools (such as Metasploit or Burp Suite), reverse engineering software, and certifications like OSCP or CEH are commonly sought after. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving and communication skills distinguish top performers in this field. These abilities are crucial for identifying and analyzing security weaknesses, communicating findings effectively, and helping organizations proactively manage cybersecurity risks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Vulnerability Researcher jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Vulnerability Researcher jobs in Tennessee are:

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Vulnerability Researcher job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,653 per year, or $49.4 per hour.

AI Security Systems Architect

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

$56.50 - $73/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 120 rated laboratories


Job description

Requisition Id 16751
Overview:
We are seeking an AI Security Systems Architect to design and develop state-of-the-art systems for security testing and evaluation of artificial intelligence technologies. This role involves creating scalable infrastructure to support cutting-edge adversarial testing methodologies, such as red team vs. blue team exercises and AI-on-AI evaluation frameworks.
The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in systems architecture, a working knowledge of cluster computing and scaling, and a passion for advancing the security of AI systems under real-world and simulated conditions. This position is critical for ensuring that AI systems remain resilient, robust, and secure against evolving threats. This person will play a key role within ORNL's Center for AI Security Research (CAISER) where he or she will work to advance the state-of-the-art in Automated, Agentic workflows for AI Security research, testing and evaluation.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Design and Development for Security Testing
    • Architect and/or implement scalable systems tailored specifically for security testing and evaluation of AI systems.
    • Develop frameworks to support red/blue team exercises in simulated environments, enabling manual and automated adversarial testing at scale.
    • Build and integrate AI-on-AI testing infrastructures, where AI models can actively challenge each other in adversarial contexts to detect vulnerabilities or weaknesses.
  • Scalability and Cluster Computing
    • Design distributed systems that support high-throughput simulations and stress-testing of AI systems under adversarial conditions.
    • Implement cluster computing solutions to efficiently scale testing environments supporting large datasets and high-performance AI workloads.
    • Optimize resource allocation for simultaneous testing tasks and real-time tracking of security metrics.
  • Adversarial and Threat Modeling Infrastructure
    • Develop systems to automate the generation and execution of diverse adversarial testing scenarios, including techniques for perturbation, poisoning, and evasion attacks.
    • Design platforms for threat modeling in AI systems, enabling comprehensive vulnerability assessments tailored to diverse use cases, from cloud-hosted models to edge deployments.
    • Enable rapid prototyping and iteration for adversarial defenses integrated into the architectural design.
  • Collaboration and Security Validation
    • Work closely with security specialists, AI researchers, and DevSecOps teams to evaluate and validate the security of AI systems aligned with organizational security standards.
    • Partner with stakeholders to design customized testing environments that simulate real-world attack and defense scenarios in production-like conditions.

Basic Qualifications:
  • MS Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related fields with at least 2 years of experience or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity.
  • Experience architecting and implementing complex distributed systems and willingness to learn
  • Experience in cluster computing and scaling for high-performance environments, with hands-on experience in frameworks such as Hadoop, Spark, or Kubernetes and willingness to learn

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with techniques for AI-on-AI adversarial evaluation, including reinforcement learning-based adversarial testing setups.
  • Expertise in designing systems that support red/blue team operations alongside DevSecOps integrations.
  • Knowledge of privacy-preserving AI methods, secure federated learning, and cryptographic protections.
  • Research or publication experience in adversarial testing, distributed systems, and AI system security.
  • Experience in supporting continuous integration pipelines for AI security validation in production environments.

Special Requirements:
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.

About ORNL:
As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.
ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.
Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.
If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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