Security Research Engineer

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  • Location:
    Offsite, Fulton, Maryland, US
  • Alternate Location
    United States of America
  • Area of Interest
    Engineer - Software
  • Compensation Range
    154000 USD - 215000 USD
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    Security
  • Job Id
    1439357

The application window is expected to close on: May 20, 2025 

  

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.   

 

Preference will be given to candidates local to Austin, Texas; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, North Carolina; Fulton, Maryland; Atlanta Metro, Georgia; Boston Metro, Massachusetts. 

  

Meet the Team 

The Talos Threat Research: Endpoint (TR:E) team secures and protects customers through phenomenal products and takes a lead in customer focused research and delivery. We work to understand attacker tactics, techniques and procedures at the deepest levels to guide product features which ultimately enable us to write detection logic to detect and prevent cyber-attacks. We work with data scientists, machine learning specialists, threat hunters, and software developers to identify and remediate security gaps where they exist. 

  

Your Impact 

As a part of the Talos Threat Research: Endpoint Team (TR:E) supporting Cisco Security products, you will provide security research, detection content development, support assistance, and product capability enhancements for Windows, Linux, and MacOS. You will: 

  • Work towards keeping yourself abreast of the latest malware techniques. 
  • Investigate, analyze and respond to malware incidents. 
  • Collaborate with other security researchers to help address customer concerns. 
  • Identify and communicate product efficacy gaps and new feature guidance to engineering teams. 
  • Develop security content, provide domain expertise, and help protect customers from breaches and cyber-attacks. 
  • Craft internal tooling to support team workflows to work more efficiently, accurately, and at scale. 
  • Analyze and action both internal and customer escalations that cannot be resolved by our support teams. 

  

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • 5+ years' experience in a related role OR 3+ year experience with a Master’s degree equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Cybersecurity-related field 
  • Experience in at least one scripting language (Python, bash) 
  • Experience in at least one other programming language (C, C++, Go, Rust, Clojure) 
  • Experience in Software Reverse Engineering or Malware Analysis using related tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, and debuggers 

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Experience with red-teaming tools: Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, CobaltStrike, and Powershell Empire. 
  • Network and system analysis skills: Ability to analyze network pcaps, system logs, and malicious scripts. 
  • Knowledge of endpoint security and sandbox technologies: Experience with security solutions and isolation environments. 
  • Collaborative teamwork: Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team. 
  • Problem-solving skills: Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis capabilities. 
  • Effective communication: Proficiency in verbal and written English communication. 

  

#WeAreCisco 

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all. 

  

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees’ diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best. 

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do! 

  

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us! 

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter.  Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

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