Associate Manager, Security Research Engineer at L3Harris

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Associate Manager, Security Software Research Engineer Job Code: 36916Job Location: Remote Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked and have every other Friday off.

Job Description:

We are seeking an accomplished and collaborative Team Lead to guide an advanced offensive security research team. You will drive research strategy, foster knowledge sharing, mentor talented security researchers, and ensure the team remains at the forefront of vulnerability discovery and exploit development across cutting-edge platforms.

Essential Functions:

• Lead a high-performing team of offensive security researchers, supporting professional development and team wellbeing through regular video check-ins.
• Facilitate regular and transparent communication via weekly and event-driven status updates covering achievements, challenges, team needs, and research progress.
• Create a collaborative and supportive team environment by promoting documentation, knowledge sharing, and technical presentations.
• Organize and lead engaging weekly team calls for resource sharing, brainstorming research directions, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Mentor junior researchers and new hires, supporting strong onboarding, continuous learning, and ongoing professional growth.
• Manage technical recruitment activities, including interviewing and evaluating candidates.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide feedback, and communicate outcomes to leadership.
• Plan and manage the team’s budget, covering travel, training, and conference opportunities.
• Attend leadership meetings and coordinate cross-team initiatives; align team objectives with organizational priorities.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance.

Technical Responsibilities:

• Oversee and guide the identification, analysis, and exploitation of vulnerabilities in modern operating systems, kernel components, and complex software ecosystems.
• Direct research in reverse engineering, proof-of-concept exploit development, and bypassing advanced security mitigations.
• Set technical priorities for the team, balancing current research objectives with exploration of new attack surfaces and technologies.
• Ensure research stays current with evolving attack techniques, mitigations, and emerging technologies.
• Encourage dissemination and publication of impactful research and adaptive approaches to industry-wide software/security updates.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum 6 years prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree with a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Skillsets:

• 5+ years of Vulnerability Research, reverse engineering, and bug-hunting
• Proven experience leading or mentoring technical teams in offensive security or vulnerability research.
• Extensive track record of iOS vulnerability research and exploitation on modern devices and chipsets.
• Strong understanding of recent iOS mitigations such as Pointer Authentication Codes (PAC), Secure Page Table Monitor (SPTM), and Memory Integrity Extension (MIE), etc.
• Advanced expertise in vulnerability discovery, reverse engineering, and exploit development within the iOS operating system or platform.
• Strong programming skills, including proficiency in C, C++, and low-level assembly.
• Familiarity with industry-standard toolsets for reverse engineering and debugging.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and team-building skills.
• Demonstrated history of impactful security research (e.g., advisories, assigned CVEs, or technical publications).

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $111,500 - $207,500. The salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, and Vermont is $97,000 - $180,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

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