Job Description

Job Summary
The McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure is seeking a Cybersecurity Engineer – Embedded Systems & Reverse Engineering to support applied research and national security initiatives within its RF/AI Lab. The role focuses on reverse engineering of embedded systems, firmware and malware analysis, and threat modeling of RF-connected platforms. The engineer will play a critical role in supporting current cybersecurity research and developing new capabilities that span across embedded systems, RF security, and analytical tool development.

Location of duties is Huntsville, Alabama.
Official AU Job Title: Research Engineer, I/II/III Huntsville
Essential Functions
Perform reverse engineering of embedded software and firmware to identify vulnerabilities, malicious code, or tampered components.
Develop and refine tools for automated malware analysis, static and dynamic binary analysis, and threat emulation within embedded environments.
Analyze and interpret Radio Frequency (RF) technologies and wireless protocols integrated into critical systems and platforms.
Assess the cybersecurity posture of embedded and RF-connected systems and recommend mitigation strategies based on findings.
Understand and evaluate emerging malware threats, advanced persistent threat (APT) tactics, and attack vectors targeting embedded architectures.
Document technical findings, vulnerability reports, and operational assessments in clear, actionable formats for internal stakeholders and external partners.
Collaborate with researchers across the RF/AI, Malware & Memory Forensics, and Information Systems labs to integrate reverse engineering insights into broader system-level cybersecurity strategies.
Contribute to technical content for grant proposals, sponsor briefings, and future research opportunities.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Ability to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems.
Why Work at Auburn?
Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Selected candidates will be assigned a level based on experience and education.

Level I: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, no experience required.

Level II: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field and 2 years of experience in reverse engineering, embedded systems, RF analysis, or malware analysis. Advanced degrees will be accepted in lieu of years of experience.

Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications
Minimum Skills and Abilities
Familiarity with reverse engineering tools.
Understanding of embedded architectures and firmware structures.
Exposure to RF technologies and software-defined radio platforms.
Proficiency in scripting and programming languages.
Ability to analyze malware behavior and low-level code execution.
Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
Effective communication skills for technical documentation and interdisciplinary collaboration.