Senior Mobile Exploitation Engineer/ Vulnerability Researcher

About the position Tyto Athene is searching for a Senior Mobile Exploitation Engineer/Vulnerability Researcher to support a highly classified mission within the Operational Technology Division (OTD). This role serves as a senior technical authority responsible for researching, developing, and leading advanced mobile device exploitation capabilities, with a primary focus on iOS and mobile operating system internals. The successful candidate will work on cutting-edge offensive cyber capabilities in support of national security and law enforcement operations. Responsibilities • Conduct advanced vulnerability research and exploit development targeting mobile operating systems, with primary emphasis on iOS and macOS • Lead and execute mobile device exploitation investigations, including application-layer, OS-level, and hardware-adjacent attack surfaces • Perform deep reverse engineering of mobile operating systems, firmware, binaries, and applications • Research, analyze, and develop exploits for remote access to mobile devices • Identify, assess, and weaponize vulnerabilities across applications, operating system, and hardware layers • Develop and analyze mobile-focused malware and exploitation tooling • Utilize industry-standard reverse engineering tools to support vulnerability discovery and exploit development • Provide technical leadership for exploit investigations, guiding designated software developers and junior engineers • Collaborate with application-, OS-, and hardware-focused engineers to deliver integrated exploitation capabilities • Analyze and exploit wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as they relate to mobile platforms • Document technical findings and brief stakeholders in a classified operational environment Requirements • 6-10+ years of professional experience in offensive cyber operations, vulnerability research, and exploit development, including Computer Network Exploitation (CNE) • Extensive, hands-on experience researching, evaluating, and exploiting the security of iOS and macOS devices and operating systems; Android experience is desirable • Demonstrated expertise in mobile device exploitation, reverse engineering (VR/RE), and exploit development across applications, operating system, and hardware-adjacent layers • Deep understanding of mobile operating system internals, architecture, and security mechanisms • Experience using advanced reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro (referred), Ghidra, Binary Ninja, and Radare2 • Proficiency in low-level and systems programming, including C, Python, Rust, and ARM64 assembly, with strong knowledge of memory exploitation techniques • Experience with wireless communications technologies and attack surfaces, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth • Knowledge of remote access, covert persistence techniques, and mobile-focused malware development • Familiarity with digital forensics tools and techniques related to mobile operating systems • Proven ability to independently lead exploit development efforts with a strong investigative and analytical mindset • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly classified environment • Top Secret clearance required, with the ability to obtain SCI read-in and successfully complete a Counter-Intelligence (CI) polygraph Nice-to-haves • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or Master’s Degree in Cyber Security, Cyber Security Engineering, or a related discipline • Experience with Android exploitation and mobile application reverse engineering • Experience developing or analyzing mobile malware • Prior work within Operational Technology Divisions (OTD) or similar advanced R&D environments • Experience mentoring or leading small, highly technical engineering teams • Familiarity with hardware-adjacent exploitation techniques for mobile platforms Benefits • Health/Dental/Vision • 401(k) match • Paid Time Off • STD/LTD/Life Insurance • Referral Bonuses • professional development reimbursement • parental leave Apply tot his job