The Role
Conduct hardware reverse engineering and forensic analysis of OT/ICS devices, embedded systems, firmware, network-edge equipment, and proprietary hardware. Identify malware, backdoors, implants, vulnerabilities, and exploitation risks; document findings and defensive measures; develop forensic procedures; support active investigations; train analysts; and collaborate with research and electrical engineering teams. The role requires extensive embedded reverse engineering, malware analysis, programming, hardware debugging, and threat analysis expertise.
Summary Generated by Built In
About ARSIEM Corporation
At ARSIEM Corporation we are committed to fostering a proven and trusted partnership with our government clients. We provide support to multiple agencies across the United States Government. ARSIEM has an experienced workforce of qualified professionals committed to providing the best possible support.
As demand increases, ARSIEM continues to provide reliable and cutting-edge technical solutions at the best value to our clients. That means a career packed with opportunities to grow and the ability to have an impact on every client you work with.
ARSIEM is looking for 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 requires 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. This position will support one of our Government clients in Arlington, VA.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive hardware reverse engineering of OT and ICS 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 other research techniques to understand complex hardware systems, assess the functionality of components, and identify exploitation risks
- Identify and extract deeply embedded malware from hardware components
- Reverse engineer firmware and low-level software on embedded devices
- Collaborate with Nightwing research teams to leverage cutting-edge analytical 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
- Identify hardware 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
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related discipline; Master’s degree or PhD preferred
- 10+ years of experience in hardware reverse engineering or embedded systems analysis
- Deep expertise in OT/ICS hardware platforms and vulnerabilities
- Ability to analyze novel or proprietary systems with limited documentation
- Strong communication skills for explaining complex technical findings
- Experience working collaboratively in research-oriented environments
- Strong experience with firmware reverse engineering and analysis
- Proficiency with 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
Preferred Qualifications
- 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
- DoD 8140.01 IAT Level III
- PMP
Clearance Requirement: This position requires an Active TS/SCI clearance and the ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry on Duty (EOD) Suitability.
Candidate Referral: Do you know someone who would be GREAT at this role? If you do, ARSIEM has a way for you to earn a bonus through our referral program for persons presenting NEW (not in our resume database) candidates who are successfully placed on one of our projects. The bonus for this position is $3,500, and the referrer is eligible to receive the sum for any applicant we place within 12 months of referral. The bonus is paid after the referred employee reaches 6 months of employment.
ARSIEM is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline
- 10+ years of experience in hardware reverse engineering or embedded systems analysis
- Deep expertise in OT/ICS hardware platforms and vulnerabilities
- Ability to analyze novel or proprietary systems with limited documentation
- Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Experience working in collaborative, research-oriented environments
- Strong experience with firmware reverse engineering and analysis
- Proficiency with IDA Pro, Ghidra, and Binary Ninja
- Understanding of ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, and other embedded processor architectures
- Experience analyzing routers, switches, firewalls, IoT devices, and other network-edge devices
- Knowledge of JTAG, SWD, UART, and other hardware debugging interfaces
- Strong programming and scripting skills in Python, C, and Assembly
- Understanding of embedded-system exploitation techniques
- Experience with malware analysis in hardware and firmware contexts
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Ability to obtain DHS Entry on Duty suitability
- Master’s degree or PhD
- Experience supporting federal cybersecurity or critical infrastructure protection programs
- Experience with microelectronics exploitation laboratory processes, including inspection, imaging, decapsulation, and deprocessing
- Offensive security or OT penetration testing experience
- GREM, GXPN, or similar reverse engineering certification
- Experience with SCADA, PLC, RTU, and other industrial control components
- Knowledge of critical infrastructure technologies
- Supply chain security and hardware implant detection knowledge
- System emulation platforms and virtual hardware analysis experience
- Understanding of threat actor TTPs targeting OT and edge devices
- Electronics manufacturing or hardware security research background
- Chip decapsulation and invasive hardware analysis experience
- DoD 8140.01 IAT Level III
- PMP certification
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The Company
What We Do
ARSIEM Corporation is a proven and trusted partner to its government clients. ARSIEM has an experienced workforce of qualified professionals committed to providing the best possible support. As demand increases, ARSIEM Corporation continues to provide reliable and cutting edge technical solutions at the best value to our clients. Our primary customer includes multiple agencies across the United Sates Government. ARSIEM has the experience, capability, and knowledge to deliver innovative IT solutions on a timely basis.
