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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead, Security Research Engineer - **Company:** L3Harris Technologies, Inc. - **Location:** Washington, DC, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $135,000.0 - $250,500.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Software Applications, Bluetooth, Software Debugging, Dynamic Program Analysis, Ethernet, Firmware, Hardware Design, Radio-Frequency Identification, PCI Express, Program Analysis, Quick EMUlator (QEMU), Reverse Engineering, Software Engineering, Software Systems, System Programming, Diagnostic Tools, Scripting, IDA Pro, Vulnerability Analysis, Programming Languages - **Published:** July 23, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9051318/lead-security-research-engineer ## About the Role * Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance required * Bachelor's Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience. Preferred Additional Skills: * 5+ years' experience working with reverse engineering frameworks such as Ghidra or IDA Pro * 5+ years' experience performing vulnerability research on embedded systems and/or software applications to identify potential security risks * Professional hands-on experience with diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes, multi-meters, power supplies, and logic analyzers * Experience in firmware emulation and debugging * Experience with embedded hardware and software design, development, and testing processes * Background in developing hardware platforms * Competence in one or more low-level programming languages * Knowledge and expertise in RF systems and technologies * Familiarity with wired and wireless protocols including USB, SPI/I2C/1-Wire, Ethernet, PCI-Express, 802.11, Bluetooth, Cellular, and others * Experience developing custom emulation solutions to enable dynamic analysis using tools such as QEMU * Experience writing plugins for decompilers such as IDA and Ghidra * Skill in soldering, prototyping, and analyzing electronic circuits * Ability to lead and manage engineering teams effectively In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C. area, Denver, or NYC areas is $135,000 - $250,500. The salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, Cleveland Ohio, Vermont and Virginia is $117,000 - $218,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements. ## Description * Perform vulnerability research on embedded systems and software applications to identify previously undisclosed security risks * Reverse engineer multiple architectures and platforms as needed, including ARM, x86, x64, and MIPS * Leverage both static and dynamic analysis tools for firmware/software evaluation * Experience working with reverse engineering frameworks such as Ghidra or IDA Pro * Bypass modern security controls (such as ASLR, NX, canaries) in order to develop a working proof-of-concept (PoC) * Apply knowledge of offensive and defensive reverse engineering techniques, including countering and developing advanced security measures * Design, develop, or analyze low-level system components, including kernel modules and other system foundational firmware services * Develop tools and software solutions using python scripts, C, or other programming languages as needed * Work proficiently within a Unix/Linux operating system environments ## Related Videos - [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers) - [The Gashlycrumb Tinies of AI Networking You Must Know (or Languish!)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2067-the-gashlycrumb-tinies-of-ai-networking-you-must-know-or-languish) - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [Agent Smith Gets Hardware: Autonomous IoT Hacking From Debug Port to Cloud API](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100258-agent-smith-gets-hardware-autonomous-iot-hacking-from-debug-port-to-cloud-api) - [We Deserve Rights](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/232-we-deserve-rights) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) ## Related Articles - [How Much Does a Software Engineer Make? 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