Software Reverse Engineer — Bethesda, MD

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Software Reverse Engineer to join our team in Bethesda, MD. In this role, you will perform in-depth analysis of software, firmware, and hardware systems to uncover its true functionality, identify vulnerabilities, and understand their operational context. This position requires a holistic approach, combining dynamic system analysis, static binary reverse engineering, and document exploitation to reveal not just what a system does, but why and how it supports its mission objectives. Key Responsibilities: • System Analysis: Conduct comprehensive analysis of compiled software and binaries. Employ forensic techniques to extract critical artifacts, understand system architecture, and identify key software components. • Dynamic System & Environment Analysis: Utilize virtualization and sandboxing environments (VMware, KVM/QEMU) to run and observe software in its native operating environment. Perform system call tracing, network monitoring, and file system analysis to reveal real-time behaviors and interactions. • Live Debugging and Analysis: Perform live, on-system debugging to step through code execution in real-time. Correlate dynamic findings with static analysis from Ghidra/IDA Pro to validate assumptions, understand complex logic, and uncover obfuscated functionality. • Static Reverse Engineering: Use advanced reverse engineering tools, with a focus on Ghidra and IDA Pro, to decompile and disassemble software. Analyze code paths, extract indicators, and uncover hidden or malicious logic not apparent through dynamic analysis alone. • Vulnerability and Capability Research: Investigate and identify vulnerabilities, undocumented features, and novel capabilities within target systems. Develop proof-of-concept exploits and assess their potential operational impact. Model and simulate specific features and functions to understand how software was developed, compiled, and deployed. • Tool Chain Mastery: Employ a specialized toolchain for analysis, including disk imagers, virtual machine managers, network scanners, and debuggers to perform end-to-end exploitation. • Mentorship: Mentor junior engineers in SWRE methodologies, tools, and techniques. Qualifications Required Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience; OR PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience. A degree within one of the following fields is highly desired: Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or Software Engineering. In lieu of a degree, an additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered. • Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph is required. • 3+ years of demonstrated experience in software reverse engineering, with a preference for backgrounds in material exploitation, malware analysis, or vulnerability research. • Understanding of Windows and Linux operating system internals, x86/x64 and ARM assembly, and CPU architecture. • Experience with static analysis tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, and Binary Ninja. • Experience with debugging tools such as WinDbg, GDB, and similar platforms. • Experience with virtualization, sandboxing, and emulation tools such as VMware, KVM, QEMU, and others. • Experience with the SWRE toolchain, including network analysis tools (Wireshark, nmap) and Linux command-line proficiency. • Experience with forensic disk image analysis to mount, modify, and extract artifacts from raw disk images. • Ability to unpack, de-obfuscate, and analyze highly complex malicious applications. • Experience in Linux/Unix environments, including advanced command-line operations and system-level administration. • Knowledge of low-level programming languages (C, C++, Assembly) and scripting languages such as Python, Java, or .NET. • A solid understanding of common security practices and the ability to identify security flaws in software architecture. Desired Qualifications: • Active DoD 8570, IAT Level II Certification. • Knowledge of advanced firmware analysis techniques and methodologies. • Knowledge of secure boot processes. • Familiarity with hardware-level attack techniques such as side-channel analysis or fault injection. • Experience with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) development. • Experience monitoring hardware-level buses and interfaces such as i2C, USB, or JTAG. • Familiarity with risk assessment and mitigation strategies for firmware vulnerabilities. • Strong documentation skills to maintain detailed records of analysis processes and findings. Peraton Overview Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure. Target Salary Range $135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. EEO EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.