About this opportunity
Nightwing lists this Senior Hardware Reverse Engineer – OT/ICS Forensics opportunity in arlington, Virginia. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.
Nightwing is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide support for onsite incident response to civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners who experience cyber-attacks, providing immediate investigation and resolution. Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize the severity of breaches, develop mitigation plans, and assist with the restoration of services.
Nightwing is seeking a Subject Matter Expert with hardware reverse engineering to support this critical customer mission.
The Subject Matter Expert Hardware Reverse Engineers will provide specialized expertise in hardware reverse engineering focused on operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems. This position require`s deep technical knowledge of proprietary hardware systems, exploitation methodologies, and defensive strategies to support forensic investigations of compromised edge devices and systems where threat actors have embedded malware deeply within hardware components.
This position focuses on the analytical and investigative aspects of hardware forensics, with particular emphasis on operational technology and industrial control systems. The ideal candidates will have strong reverse engineering skills and deep understanding of threat actor methodologies targeting critical infrastructure.
Responsibilities
Conduct comprehensive hardware reverse engineering of OT and IC devices
Analyze network-edge devices and embedded systems compromised by advanced threats
Perform deep-dive analysis of proprietary hardware targeted by adversaries
Conduct reverse engineering, failure analysis, vulnerability analysis, and oth er research techniques to understand complex hardware systems, assess the functionality of components, and identify exploitation risks
Identifyand extract deeply embedded malware from hardware components
Reverse engineer firmware and low-level software on embedded devices
Collaborate with Nightwing research teams toleveragecutting-edgeanalytical capabilities
Utilize and enhance KI2 system emulation capabilities for hardware analysis
Document exploitation methodologies and defensive countermeasures
Develop standard operating procedures for hardware forensics workflows
Train CSD analysts on hardware reverse engineering techniques
Provide expert consultation on edge device security and vulnerabilities
Support forensic investigations in environments lacking EDR visibility
Analyze proprietary communication protocols and embedded systems functions
Identifyhardware backdoors, implants, and malicious modifications
Collaborate with electrical engineers on chip-off forensics procedures
Provide reach-back support to operational analysts during active investigations
Contribute to research initiatives on emerging hardware threats
Document technical findings and intelligence for stakeholder dissemination
Required Skills
U.S. Citizenship
Must have an active TS/SCI clearance
Must be able to obtain DHS Suitability
10 + years of experience in hardware reverse engineering or embedded systems analysis
Deepexpertisein OT/ICS hardware platforms and vulnerabilities
Ability to analyze novel or proprietary systems with limited documentation
Strong communicationskills for explaining complex technical findings
Experience working collaboratively in research-oriented environments
Strong experience with firmware reverse engineering and analysis
Proficiencywith reverse engineering tools (IDA Pro,Ghidra, Binary Ninja)
Deep understanding of ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, and other embedded processor architectures
Experience analyzing network-edge devices (routers, switches, firewalls, IoT devices)
Knowledge of hardware debugging interfaces (JTAG, SWD, UART)
Strong programming and scripting skills (Python, C, Assembly)
Understanding of exploitation techniques targeting embedded systems
Experience with malware analysis in hardware/firmware contexts
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
Desired Skills
Experience supporting federal cybersecurity or critical infrastructure protection programs
Experience performing inspection, imaging, decapsulation, deprocessing, and other activities related to hardware reverse engineering and exploitation in a state-of-the-art microelectronics exploitation laboratory
Background in offensive security or penetration testing of OT environments
Advanced certifications in reverse engineering (GREM, GXPN, or similar)
Experience with SCADA, PLC, RTU, and other industrial control components
Knowledge of critical infrastructure sector technologies (energy, utilities, manufacturing)
Familiarity with supply chain security and hardware implant detection
Experience with system emulation platforms and virtual hardware analysis
Understanding of threat actor TTPs targeting OT and edge devices
Background in electronics manufacturing or hardware security research
Experience with chip decapsulation and invasive hardware analysis techniques
Required Education
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related discipline; Master ’s degree or PhD preferred
Desired Certifications
DoD IAT Level III
PMP
Syndeo:ESS-3417, ESS-3418
Salary & Benefits
The salary associated with this position ($122,000-$253,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.
Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.
Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.
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Worksite address
arlington, VA, 22201, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.