Exploitation Specialist

CACI, INC.-FEDERAL

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Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, US Until 8/22/2026 3+ years exp First posted April 22, 2026 Last posted May 28, 2026
Job description
Job Title: Exploitation Specialist

Job Category: Engineering

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: Top Secret

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 25%

Type of Travel: Local

* * *

The Opportunity:
Join a team that tackles complex hardware security challenges using electromagnetic and voltage fault injection techniques. You'll have the opportunity to research and develop novel attack vectors while leveraging your skills in hardware reverse engineering, circuit analysis, and embedded systems security.

Responsibilities:
As a Exploitation Specialist, you'll work hands-on with state-of-the-art electronics and embedded systems. You'll perform advanced EM/FI attacks, glitching operations, and hardware security assessments on a variety of systems including microcontrollers, secure elements, and IoT devices in support of vulnerability research and defensive countermeasure development.

Qualifications:
Required: 

  • Active Top-Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain SCI

  • BS in Cybersecurity Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline and 3-5 years of directly related experience

  • Demonstrated experience with hardware reverse engineering and integrated circuit analysis

  • Proficiency with benchtop equipment including oscilloscopes, signal generators, power analyzers, and multimeters

  • Experience with micro-soldering and circuit board rework

  • Understanding of embedded systems, microcontroller architectures (ARM, x86), and firmware analysis

  • Familiarity with communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, JTAG)

  • Proficiency with Python and scripting for automation and data analysis

  • Experience with static and dynamic analysis tools (IDA Pro, Ghidra, or similar)

  • High-proficiency with written and verbal communications

  • Ability to articulate technical concepts and findings to stakeholders to support decision making


Desired:

  • Direct experience with electromagnetic fault injection (EM/FI) or voltage fault injection (VFI/glitching) techniques

  • Experience with ChipWhisperer, Riscure tools, or similar FI platforms

  • Familiarity with laser fault injection or other advanced fault injection methodologies

  • Experience with differential fault analysis (DFA) and side-channel analysis Knowledge of cryptographic implementations and secure boot mechanisms

  • Experience performing penetration tests on embedded systems or IoT devices

  • Familiarity with FPGA programming and ASIC design

  • Experience with machine learning applications in security research

  • Background in failure analysis or physical security testing

  • Experience documenting vulnerability research and writing technical reports

This position is contingent on funding and may not be filled immediately. However, this position is representative of positions within CACI that are consistently available. Individuals who apply may also be considered for other positions at CACI.

What You Can Expect:

 A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.


Pay Range:

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The proposed salary range for this position is:

$90,300 - 189,600 USD

CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.
About this role

Summary

Conduct hardware security assessments using electromagnetic and voltage fault injection techniques on embedded systems.

Job title

exploitation specialist

Experience level

3-5 years

Minimum experience

3+ years exp

Industry

defense

Location requirements

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, US; on-site, up to 25% travel

Salary

$90k–$190k

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

top-secret clearancehardware reverse engineeringcircuit analysisoscilloscopessignal generatorsmultimetersmicro-solderingembedded systemsARMx86communication protocolsPythonIDA ProGhidratechnical communication

Preferred skills

EM/FIVFIChipWhispererRiscure toolslaser fault injectioncryptographysecure bootpenetration testingFPGAASICmachine learningfailure analysissecurity testingvulnerability research

Specializations

hardware securityembedded systemshardware reverse engineeringcircuit analysisfault injection
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005, USA

On-site City