{"id":476893,"url":"https://alion.io/job/cmu-associate-reverse-engineer-researcher","title":"Associate Reverse Engineer Researcher","company":{"id":46403,"name":"Software Engineering Institute","domain":"sei.cmu.edu","url":"https://alion.io/company/sei-cmu","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":80,"open_postings":14,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":13,"computed_at":"2026-10-01T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"AI/ML","role_family":"AI/ML","seniority":"junior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Pittsburgh, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":91000,"max_usd":210000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":238},"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Binary Ninja","optional":false},{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Frida","optional":false},{"name":"Ghidra","optional":false},{"name":"IDA Pro","optional":false},{"name":"Java","optional":false},{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"QEMU","optional":false},{"name":"Unicorn Engine","optional":false},{"name":"WinDbg","optional":false},{"name":"Wireshark","optional":false},{"name":"x64dbg","optional":false},{"name":"Assembly","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-27T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-27","last_verified_at":"2026-09-30T11:30:20Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":35,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":35},"description":"About the role\nThe SEI helps advance software engineering principles and practices and serves as a national resource in software engineering, computer security, and process improvement. The SEI works closely with defense and government organizations, industry, and academia to continually improve software-intensive systems. Our core purpose is to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities and develop or acquire the right software, defect free, within budget and on time, every time. \nThe CERT Division of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is seeking an applicant for the role of a Reverse Engineer Researcher for the Threat Analysis directorate. The SEI is a federally funded research and development center at Carnegie Mellon University.\nWhat you’ll do\nReverse engineer malicious code in support of high-impact customers, design and develop new analysis methods and tools, work to identify and address emerging and complex threats, and effectively participate in the broader security community\n\nPerform in-depth reverse engineering of malicious code, document and transition results in reports, presentations, and technical exchanges\n\nExplore ways to use artificial intelligence to support of reverse engineering and apply reverse engineering practices to artificial intelligence systems\n\nDesign, prototype, and transition new analysis methods and tools\n\nIdentify and document emerging and complex active security threats\n\nParticipate in the broader security community through collaboration, papers, and presentations\n\nWho you are\nYou have BS in Computer Science or related discipline with three (3) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with one (1) year of experience.\n\nYou enjoy working on emerging and complex malware analysis and reverse engineering problems.\n\nYou have an analytical mindset and deep curiosity about how software works.\n\nYou have the ability to balance rapid prototyping with maintainable tool development.\n\nYou have strong technical writing experience.\n\nYou recognize and deal appropriately with confidential and sensitive information.\n\nYou are able to handle continual shifting priorities.\n\nYou enjoy mentoring and training others as well as sharing knowledge.\n\nYou communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.\n\nYou have a willingness to travel to various locations to support the SEI’s overall mission This includes sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings on occasion. Moderate Travel (15%)\n\nYou will be subject to a background check and obtain and maintain an active Department of War security clearance\n\nYou have experience with or knowledge of\nReverse engineering software binaries for a variety of architectures, both at the user level and kernel level\n\nStatic analysis tools (e.g. IDA Pro, NSA Ghidra, Binary Ninja)\n\nUser-level and kernel-level debuggers (e.g. x32dbg, x64dbg, gdb, WinDbg)\n\nNative programming languages (e.g. C/C++).\n\nHigh-level programming languages (e.g. Java, Python, GoLang, etc.)\n\nSoftware engineering and design concepts\n\nFirmware and device driver development\n\nMalware tradecraft and threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) \n\nMalware signature creation and use, independent of detection technology\n\nOperating system concepts and internals and binary file formats (e.g. PE, ELF, Mach-O, etc.)\n\nInternet Protocols and network analysis tools (e.g. Wireshark, netcat, etc.)\n\nCompiler theory, cryptography, and malware deobfuscation techniques.\n\nMobile device development and reverse engineering\n\nMalware sandboxes or instrumentation frameworks (e.g., Frida, QEMU, Unicorn Engine).\n\nGeneral understanding and experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning and using artificial intelligence to support reverse engineering and malware analysis\n\nWhy work here?\nJoin a world-class organization that has significant impact on software\n\nWork with cutting edge technologies and experts to solve tough problems for the government and the nation\n\nGet 8% monthly contribution for your retirement, without having to contribute yourself\n\nGet tuition benefits to CMU and other institutions for you and your dependent children\n\nEnjoy a healthy work/life balance with flexible work arrangements and paid parental and military leave\n\nGet access to university resources including mindfulness programs, childcare and back-up care benefits, a monthly transit benefit on WMATA, free transportation on the Pittsburgh Regional Transit System\n\nEnjoy annual professional development opportunities; attend conferences and training or obtain a certification and get reimbursed for membership in professional societies\n\nQualify for relocation assistance and so much more\n\nLocation\nPittsburgh, PAJob Function\nSoftware/Applications Development/EngineeringPosition Type\nStaff - RegularFull time/Part time\nFull timePay Basis\nSalaryMore Information:\nPlease visit “Why Carnegie Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.\n\nClick here to view a listing of employee benefits\n\nCarnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.\n\nStatement of Assurance","description_format":"text","description_chars":5152,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Flexible schedule","Professional development","Relocation assistance"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":true,"industries":["Artificial Intelligence","Education","Higher Education"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-06T14:58:26Z"}],"liveness":{"score":8,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.227,"p_room":0.35,"age_days":35,"expected_fill_days":13,"reasons":["conf:18","stale_co","velocity","win:tail","comp:junior"],"computed_at":"2026-10-01T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/cmu-associate-reverse-engineer-researcher","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/cmu-associate-reverse-engineer-researcher.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-01T12:46:17Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":4224,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":776,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-02T00:00:00Z"}}}