Early Career Vulnerability Researcher

Job Description

Early Career Vulnerability Researcher | Battelle

The Tone:
This is an early career role at Battelle, located in Columbus, OH. Battelle is a global research and development organization that manages national laboratories, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for a diverse range of clients, including multi-national corporations and government agencies. This role is crucial for individuals passionate about solving the hardest computing problems in the world, working on impactful research, and constantly pushing the boundaries of computing technology to innovate new cyber solutions. Battelle fosters professional growth, providing tools and mentorship to elevate skills and career within a collaborative environment.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Columbus, OH (Hybrid)

• Team: Small, agile teams operating in advanced computer labs.
• Mission: To tackle the most challenging Computer Science problems globally and innovate new Cyber solutions through advanced vulnerability research.
• Tech Stack: C, C++, Python, Perl, Ruby, IDA Pro, BinaryNinja, x86, x64, ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, WinDbg, OllyDbg, gdb, Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, MacOS, VxWorks, QNX, RTOSs

What You’ll Actually Do
• Project Execution: Conduct assignments of routine complexity, involving the compilation and evaluation of design and test data.
• Documentation: Prepare technical specifications for various systems and components.
• Data Analysis: Analyze technical data to establish appropriate limits and variables for electrical/electronic systems, components, equipment, and networks.
• Reporting: Assist in the interpretation of results and contribute to writing sections of technical reports.
• Timely Delivery: Complete assigned project work within specified schedule and budget constraints.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field of study. This is an Early Career position.
• Experience: 0-2 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree in a relevant field. Experience developing software for user-mode or kernel-mode environments, and familiarity with PC and embedded systems architecture, including boot processes and OS internals.
• Skills: Proficiency in coding with C or C++; ability to use a scripting language (e.g., Python, Perl, Ruby); experience utilizing a disassembler for vulnerability research (e.g., IDA Pro, BinaryNinja); understanding of network protocols; experience with one or more assembly languages (e.g., x86, ARM); experience with debuggers (e.g., WinDbg, gdb); vulnerability research on one or more operating systems (e.g., Android, Windows, Linux); knowledge of common mitigation techniques (e.g., DEP, ASLR); familiarity with fuzzers; demonstrated strong organization, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Must be a sole US citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance.
• Bonus: Participation in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions; ability to analyze assembly-level code across multiple platforms (e.g., x86, ARM); experience with symbolic analysis; ability to analyze network protocols throughout all layers of the network stack; background in software engineering and architecture; possession of an active Secret security clearance.