Security Researcher Jobs
Security Researcher jobs are open across technology, financial services, defense, and healthcare, from entry-level analyst to principal and staff researcher, with specializations in vulnerability research, malware analysis, and threat intelligence. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
Find Security Researcher JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 104+ Security Researcher jobs











Meet the Team
The mission of the Security& Trust Organization (S) is to secure products and services, protect Cisco and its employees, and cultivate trust with our customers, partners, and regulators. Thrive on our dynamic and collaborative team where you’ll work closely with a diverse network of internal and external stakeholders to drive essential security initiatives. The Security and Trust Organization (S) is dedicated to cultivating an innovative, growth-focused culture. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with teams across Cisco—including IT, Product, Customer Experience (CX), and nearly every business unit, to deliver critical security solutions.
Your Impact
- Passionate about cloud technology, automation techniques, systems integration, data, and security
- Ability to simply and effectively communicate complex technical concepts to stakeholders
- Possess strong problem-solving instincts and attention to detail
- Self-Motivated learner who can ramp up on new technology in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program (Associate's or Bachelor's)
- Qualifying education should be in: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science or related field.
- Proficient in programming and scripting languages including C/C++, Python, and Java
- Strong knowledge of Linux, networking, operating systems, embedded development, and database systems
- Hands-on experience with QA, testing, debugging, and web application and web services development
- Must be a U.S. citizen, able to legally live and work in the country for which you're applying, without visa support or sponsorship.
- Knowledge of Linux, Networking concepts, OS fundamentals, Embedded Development, and/or ML
- Hands on QA, Testing, and/or Debugging skills
- Experience with Databases, Web Application Development, and Web Services
- Cyber security focus, participation in CTFs (Capture The Flag)
At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.
Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.
We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.
Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:
Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.
U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies:
- 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
- Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
- Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
- 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
- Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
- Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. 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.
The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:
New York City Metro Area:
$44,000.00 - $185,000.00Non-Metro New York state& Washington state:
$44,000.00 - $185,000.00* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.
** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.
Security Researcher Jobs by Experience Level
See All 104+ Security Researcher Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Security Researcher JobsSecurity Researcher Job Market
Who's Hiring
- CVS Health25

- Microsoft8

- Carnegie Mellon University8

- Georgia Tech4

- Palo Alto Networks3

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security researcher jobs.
- Demonstrated experience identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in software or systems
- Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language such as Python or C
- Familiarity with reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, or Binary Ninja
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related technical field
- Knowledge of common attack frameworks and techniques such as MITRE ATT&CK
- Industry certifications such as OSCP, CEH, or GREM preferred or required
Tips for Your Security Researcher Job Search
Lead your resume with CVEs and findings
Hiring managers for security researcher roles scan for concrete proof of work. List any CVEs you've been credited for, bug bounty payouts, or published advisories. Generic descriptions of security duties won't differentiate you the way verified discoveries do.
Build a public research portfolio before applying
Many security researcher roles ask for writing samples or prior research during the application itself. Post writeups of CTF challenges, reverse engineering walkthroughs, or vulnerability disclosures on a public blog or repository so you can link directly from your resume.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists security researcher openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target job postings by research discipline
Security researcher is a broad title. Filter openings by the keywords that match your discipline, whether that's fuzzing, red team research, cryptography, or firmware analysis, so you're not wasting time on roles built around a completely different skill set.
Prepare a technical deep-dive for interviews
Most security researcher interviews include a live technical session where you walk through a past finding or solve a challenge in real time. Pick one piece of research you know inside out and practice narrating your methodology, dead ends, and final conclusion out loud.
Negotiate based on clearance and publication rights
In security research, two overlooked negotiables are whether you retain the right to publish findings publicly and whether the role requires or sponsors a security clearance. Clarify both before accepting an offer, since they directly affect your career trajectory and outside research.
Security Researcher Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most security researchers?
The companies hiring the most security researchers right now include CVS Health, Microsoft, and Carnegie Mellon University, with the largest share of openings in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Demand is concentrated in technology, defense contracting, and financial services.
How many security researcher jobs are remote?
About 65% of security researcher openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, though availability varies by specialization. Threat intelligence and malware analysis roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while roles involving classified environments or hardware security typically require on-site presence.
How do you become a security researcher?
Start by building foundational skills in networking, operating systems, and at least one programming language. Participate in capture-the-flag competitions and bug bounty programs to develop hands-on experience finding real vulnerabilities. Document your findings publicly, pursue a relevant certification such as OSCP, and apply to entry-level roles or internships that involve security analysis or penetration testing.
Can you get hired as a security researcher with little or no experience?
Yes, entry-level security researcher roles exist, and employers place significant weight on demonstrated curiosity and self-directed work. A portfolio of CTF writeups, a credited bug bounty submission, or a published vulnerability analysis can outweigh a lack of formal employment history. Internships at security consultancies or in-house teams are a common entry point for candidates without full-time experience.
What does the security researcher interview process look like?
Most security researcher interviews involve a recruiter screen followed by a technical assessment, which may be a take-home challenge, a live reverse engineering exercise, or a walkthrough of past research. A final round typically includes a panel interview with senior researchers who probe your methodology and depth of knowledge. Some roles also require a background check or clearance eligibility review.
Where can I find and apply to security researcher jobs?
You can find and apply to security researcher jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 104+ Security Researcher Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Security Researcher Jobs