Senior Wireless Reverse Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The Senior Wireless Reverse Engineer joins a multidisciplinary team at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) that reverse engineers wireless communications protocols, devices, and systems to support signals intelligence, wireless cyber access, and defensive capabilities. The role combines wireless, software, firmware, embedded-system, and protocol reverse engineering to understand complex systems from their over-the-air behavior through their underlying implementations. The position leads reverse-engineering efforts involving unknown, undocumented, or partially documented wireless systems; analyzes software, firmware, embedded implementations, communications protocols, and over-the-air behavior; and uses laboratory tools and experimental techniques to test and validate findings. The Senior Wireless Reverse Engineer also develops software tools and automated analysis workflows, provides technical leadership and mentorship, identifies technical opportunities, and communicates results to sponsors and the technical community. APL describes its workplace as a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere that encourages creativity, differing perspectives, professional growth, and strong connections among teammates. Its campus is in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Requirements

At least a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or another related technical field.
At least five years of relevant experience in reverse engineering, embedded systems, cyber operations, wireless systems, SIGINT, or a related field.
Demonstrated expertise reverse engineering software, firmware, embedded systems, communications protocols, or a combination of these, including experience analyzing complex or undocumented systems.
Hands-on experience with techniques such as disassembly or decompilation, debugging, static and dynamic analysis, binary analysis, instrumentation, or protocol analysis.
Experience developing technical software using Python, C/C++, or similar languages, and familiarity with wireless communications, RF systems, or software-defined radios.
Demonstrated technical leadership, strong oral and written communication skills, and the ability to independently solve complex, open-ended technical problems.
Ability to obtain an Interim Top Secret security clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain a TS/SCI clearance.
U.S. citizenship and satisfaction of government security clearance requirements for access to classified information.

Nice To Haves

A master's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or another related technical field.
At least fifteen years of relevant experience in wireless reverse engineering, software or firmware reverse engineering, cyber operations, SIGINT, or related research and development.
Extensive experience with reverse-engineering platforms such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, or similar tools, and with reverse engineering embedded devices, communications firmware, or wireless protocols.
Experience with wireless waveform reverse engineering, modulation recognition, channel-code identification or reverse engineering, or SIGINT analysis.
Deep knowledge of digital communications, signal processing, software-defined radio receiver design, modulation and demodulation, synchronization, channel coding, statistical signal processing, or detection theory.
Experience applying AI/ML, LLM-assisted analysis, or agentic workflows to software, firmware, protocol, or wireless reverse engineering.
A working history supporting Department of Defense and/or Intelligence Community organizations, sponsors, missions, or programs.
An active TS/SCI clearance or higher.

Responsibilities

Lead reverse-engineering efforts against unknown, undocumented, or partially documented wireless systems to understand their operation, capabilities, and vulnerabilities.
Reverse engineer software, firmware, embedded implementations, and communications protocols to understand how wireless devices and systems operate.
Use static and dynamic analysis, debugging, instrumentation, binary analysis, and other reverse-engineering techniques to uncover system functionality and implementation details.
Analyze and correlate software, firmware, protocol, and over-the-air behavior to develop a comprehensive understanding of complex wireless systems.
Use software-defined radios, laboratory instrumentation, target devices, and experimental techniques to test hypotheses, reproduce behavior, and validate results.
Develop software tools and automated analysis workflows to accelerate wireless, software, firmware, and protocol reverse engineering.
Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams and mentor less-experienced staff.
Identify new technical approaches and opportunities, and communicate findings and results to sponsors and the technical community.