Cyber Developer/Vulnerability Researcher

Position Title: Cyber Developer/Vulnerability Researcher
Clearance Requirements: Active TS/SCI

Location: NIWC Atlantic, Charleston, SC (Full-Time, On-Site)

Salary Range: $145,000 – $190,000, depending on experience, clearance eligibility, and qualifications.

Overview

Echelon Services, LLC is seeking a hands-on Cyber Developer / Vulnerability Researcher to support the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC) Rapid Capability Office (RCO) Strike Team ACE, Advanced Cyber Effects. This is not a traditional cybersecurity compliance or policy role. This position is focused on offensive cyber capability research and development in support of mission objectives. The selected candidate will work with a dedicated technical team to identify critical vulnerabilities, reverse engineer systems and software, and develop custom cyber tools to support operational needs.

This role is ideal for a developer who enjoys solving complex technical problems, understanding how systems work, and finding creative ways to identify and exploit weaknesses. The position requires strong hands-on-keyboard technical ability, curiosity, and a willingness to work on challenging offensive cyber problems in a collaborative mission environment.

Echelon is seeking candidates with skillsets aligned to two mission areas:

1. Vulnerability Research
2. Cyber Development

Both areas require similar technical experience and will support cyber capability research and development for NIWC Atlantic.

Duties/Responsibilities

The Cyber Developer / Vulnerability Researcher will support cyber capability research and development activities, including:

• Conducting vulnerability research across a range of targets, including web applications, software, systems, and embedded technologies.
• Identifying and analyzing potential zero-day vulnerabilities and other exploitable weaknesses.
• Reverse engineering binaries and software using tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, or similar platforms.
• Developing custom offensive cyber tools to support mission requirements.
• Writing, testing, and maintaining code in languages such as Python, C, C , and Assembly.
• Analyzing system and software behavior to understand attack surfaces, weaknesses, and potential exploitation paths.
• Thinking like an adversary to evaluate and bypass security controls and defensive measures.
• Collaborating with developers, researchers, operators, and mission stakeholders to solve complex technical challenges.
• Supporting the development of mission-critical cyber capabilities in an operationally focused environment.
• Documenting technical findings, tool functionality, and research outcomes as needed to support team knowledge sharing and mission continuity.

Echelon Services, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance required, Poly preferred
• Strong software development experience, particularly in one or more of the following languages:
  • C
  • C
  • Python
  • Assembly
• Experience or strong interest in vulnerability research, reverse engineering, exploit development, or offensive cyber operations.
• Familiarity with reverse engineering tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, or similar tools.
• Ability to analyze software, binaries, systems, or applications to understand functionality and identify weaknesses.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work through complex technical challenges independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated curiosity for how systems work and how they can fail or be exploited.
• Ability to think creatively and approach technical problems from an adversarial perspective.
• Willingness to learn and grow in advanced offensive cyber operations, vulnerability research, and cyber capability development.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a mission-focused environment supporting NIWC Atlantic.

Salary : $160,000 - $200,000