{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"2cfa42ea2b18c0b77b4ed9e2","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/2cfa42ea2b18c0b77b4ed9e2","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/2cfa42ea2b18c0b77b4ed9e2","title":"Hardware Reverse Engineer","description":"Hardware Reverse Engineer 3-Month ContractLocation: Remote, with preference for candidates in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areaEngagement: Part-time, three-month contractOn-site expectations: Occasional visits to the Reston, Virginia area preferredCompensation: Paid contract with performance-based bonusesBenefits: This role does not include employee benefitsAbout Xchg LabsXchg Labs is a vulnerability research and reverse engineering lab focused on complex software, firmware, embedded systems, and hardware security.We work on difficult targets where documentation is limited, interfaces are disabled, firmware is unavailable, and conventional approaches are not enough. Our work combines hardware analysis, firmware extraction, vulnerability research, custom tooling, and creative problem-solving.We care more about demonstrated technical ability, curiosity, and persistence than degrees, certifications, or traditional credentials.The RoleXchg Labs is looking for a Hardware Reverse Engineer for a three-month, part-time engagement.You will be responsible for building and operating a hardware security testing platform, analyzing challenging embedded devices, and extracting firmware from systems designed to resist inspection.This is a hands-on role. You may be working with undocumented boards, disabled debug interfaces, custom boot chains, protected flash storage, unusual processors, or devices where the obvious firmware-extraction methods have already failed.We are looking for someone who can independently investigate a target, develop a testing methodology, document their findings, and continue making progress when there is no existing guide to follow.ResponsibilitiesSet up a repeatable hardware reverse engineering and firmware-extraction testing platform.Perform board-level inspection, component identification, signal tracing, and interface discovery.Identify and analyze storage devices, processors, microcontrollers, secure elements, and supporting components.Locate and evaluate UART, JTAG, SWD, SPI, I²C, eMMC, NAND, UFS, USB, and other potential access paths.Extract firmware through in-circuit access, chip-off techniques, debug interfaces, bootloader abuse, fault injection, or other appropriate methods.Investigate targets with disabled, undocumented, or protected interfaces.Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, programmers, debuggers, microscopes, and microsoldering equipment.Build custom adapters, fixtures, wiring harnesses, scripts, and tooling as needed.Validate extracted firmware and provide organized images, dumps, notes, pinouts, photographs, and reproduction steps.Document unsuccessful approaches and explain why they failed.Work with Xchg Labs researchers to transition extracted firmware into software reverse engineering and vulnerability research workflows.Maintain clear technical documentation throughout the engagement.What We Are Looking ForThere is no degree requirement for this role.Strong candidates will have practical experience in several of the following areas:Embedded systems and hardware reverse engineering.Firmware acquisition from difficult or undocumented devices.Board-level debugging and electrical analysis.Microsoldering, rework, chip removal, and in-circuit probing.eMMC, NAND, NOR, SPI flash, UFS, or other embedded storage technologies.JTAG, SWD, UART, boot ROMs, bootloaders, and debug authentication.Reading schematics, datasheets, ball maps, boardviews, or incomplete technical documentation.ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, RISC-V, Xtensa, Hexagon, or other embedded architectures.Secure boot, encrypted storage, trusted execution environments, or hardware-backed key storage.Voltage glitching, clock glitching, electromagnetic fault injection, or side-channel techniques.Writing scripts or tools in Python, C, C++, Rust, or another relevant language.Firmware reverse engineering using tools such as Ghidra, Binary Ninja, IDA Pro, or similar platforms.You do not need experience with every item listed above. We value people who can learn unfamiliar systems quickly and methodically work through difficult technical problems.What Success Looks LikeBy the end of the engagement, we expect you to have:Established a functional and repeatable hardware testing environment.Developed documented methodologies for analyzing assigned hardware targets.Produced verified firmware extractions or made substantial, well-documented progress on highly protected systems.Created reusable notes, tooling, fixtures, pinouts, and procedures for future research.Delivered a technical write-up covering the hardware reverse engineering process, findings, challenges, and lessons learned.Publication and Research CreditWe want researchers to receive credit for their work.After the engagement and following any required customer, legal, disclosure, or publication review, you will be allowed to publicly discuss approved portions of the work you completed with Xchg Labs.You will also have the opportunity to author a technical blog post for the Xchg Labs website describing the hardware reverse engineering process, methodologies, tooling, challenges, and approved technical findings.Any publication must exclude confidential customer information, restricted materials, sensitive target details, and information subject to coordinated disclosure or other contractual limitations.Engagement DetailsThree-month engagement.Part-time schedule with flexible hours.Remote work is permitted.Preference will be given to candidates located in the DMV area who can occasionally work from or visit the Reston, Virginia area.Xchg Labs can ship approved target devices and necessary materials to remote researchers.Compensation will be based on experience and expected availability.Performance-based bonuses may be awarded for major milestones, successful firmware extraction, reusable tooling, or other exceptional results.No employee benefits are provided as part of this engagement.How to ApplyPlease send:A brief introduction.Examples of hardware reverse engineering, firmware extraction, embedded security, or related work.Links to technical blogs, research, GitHub repositories, conference talks, write-ups, or project documentation.A description of the most difficult hardware target you have worked on and how you approached it.Your location, general availability, and expected hourly or project-based compensation.Traditional resumes are welcome but not required. Demonstrated ability matters more to us than formal education or job titles.","company":"Xchg Labs","rawCompany":"xchg labs","city":"Reston","state":"VA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-07T08:58:31.637Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2061.00","title":"Computer Hardware Engineers","slug":"computer-hardware-engineers"},{"code":"17-2072.00","title":"Electronics Engineers, Except Computer","slug":"electronics-engineers-except-computer"},{"code":"15-1299.04","title":"Penetration Testers","slug":"penetration-testers"}],"industries":[{"code":"541512","title":"Computer Systems Design Services","slug":"computer-systems-design-services"},{"code":"541519","title":"Other Computer Related Services","slug":"other-computer-related-services"},{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Hardware Reverse Engineer","description":"Hardware Reverse Engineer 3-Month ContractLocation: Remote, with preference for candidates in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areaEngagement: Part-time, three-month contractOn-site expectations: Occasional visits to the Reston, Virginia area preferredCompensation: Paid contract with performance-based bonusesBenefits: This role does not include employee benefitsAbout Xchg LabsXchg Labs is a vulnerability research and reverse engineering lab focused on complex software, firmware, embedded systems, and hardware security.We work on difficult targets where documentation is limited, interfaces are disabled, firmware is unavailable, and conventional approaches are not enough. Our work combines hardware analysis, firmware extraction, vulnerability research, custom tooling, and creative problem-solving.We care more about demonstrated technical ability, curiosity, and persistence than degrees, certifications, or traditional credentials.The RoleXchg Labs is looking for a Hardware Reverse Engineer for a three-month, part-time engagement.You will be responsible for building and operating a hardware security testing platform, analyzing challenging embedded devices, and extracting firmware from systems designed to resist inspection.This is a hands-on role. You may be working with undocumented boards, disabled debug interfaces, custom boot chains, protected flash storage, unusual processors, or devices where the obvious firmware-extraction methods have already failed.We are looking for someone who can independently investigate a target, develop a testing methodology, document their findings, and continue making progress when there is no existing guide to follow.ResponsibilitiesSet up a repeatable hardware reverse engineering and firmware-extraction testing platform.Perform board-level inspection, component identification, signal tracing, and interface discovery.Identify and analyze storage devices, processors, microcontrollers, secure elements, and supporting components.Locate and evaluate UART, JTAG, SWD, SPI, I²C, eMMC, NAND, UFS, USB, and other potential access paths.Extract firmware through in-circuit access, chip-off techniques, debug interfaces, bootloader abuse, fault injection, or other appropriate methods.Investigate targets with disabled, undocumented, or protected interfaces.Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, programmers, debuggers, microscopes, and microsoldering equipment.Build custom adapters, fixtures, wiring harnesses, scripts, and tooling as needed.Validate extracted firmware and provide organized images, dumps, notes, pinouts, photographs, and reproduction steps.Document unsuccessful approaches and explain why they failed.Work with Xchg Labs researchers to transition extracted firmware into software reverse engineering and vulnerability research workflows.Maintain clear technical documentation throughout the engagement.What We Are Looking ForThere is no degree requirement for this role.Strong candidates will have practical experience in several of the following areas:Embedded systems and hardware reverse engineering.Firmware acquisition from difficult or undocumented devices.Board-level debugging and electrical analysis.Microsoldering, rework, chip removal, and in-circuit probing.eMMC, NAND, NOR, SPI flash, UFS, or other embedded storage technologies.JTAG, SWD, UART, boot ROMs, bootloaders, and debug authentication.Reading schematics, datasheets, ball maps, boardviews, or incomplete technical documentation.ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, RISC-V, Xtensa, Hexagon, or other embedded architectures.Secure boot, encrypted storage, trusted execution environments, or hardware-backed key storage.Voltage glitching, clock glitching, electromagnetic fault injection, or side-channel techniques.Writing scripts or tools in Python, C, C++, Rust, or another relevant language.Firmware reverse engineering using tools such as Ghidra, Binary Ninja, IDA Pro, or similar platforms.You do not need experience with every item listed above. We value people who can learn unfamiliar systems quickly and methodically work through difficult technical problems.What Success Looks LikeBy the end of the engagement, we expect you to have:Established a functional and repeatable hardware testing environment.Developed documented methodologies for analyzing assigned hardware targets.Produced verified firmware extractions or made substantial, well-documented progress on highly protected systems.Created reusable notes, tooling, fixtures, pinouts, and procedures for future research.Delivered a technical write-up covering the hardware reverse engineering process, findings, challenges, and lessons learned.Publication and Research CreditWe want researchers to receive credit for their work.After the engagement and following any required customer, legal, disclosure, or publication review, you will be allowed to publicly discuss approved portions of the work you completed with Xchg Labs.You will also have the opportunity to author a technical blog post for the Xchg Labs website describing the hardware reverse engineering process, methodologies, tooling, challenges, and approved technical findings.Any publication must exclude confidential customer information, restricted materials, sensitive target details, and information subject to coordinated disclosure or other contractual limitations.Engagement DetailsThree-month engagement.Part-time schedule with flexible hours.Remote work is permitted.Preference will be given to candidates located in the DMV area who can occasionally work from or visit the Reston, Virginia area.Xchg Labs can ship approved target devices and necessary materials to remote researchers.Compensation will be based on experience and expected availability.Performance-based bonuses may be awarded for major milestones, successful firmware extraction, reusable tooling, or other exceptional results.No employee benefits are provided as part of this engagement.How to ApplyPlease send:A brief introduction.Examples of hardware reverse engineering, firmware extraction, embedded security, or related work.Links to technical blogs, research, GitHub repositories, conference talks, write-ups, or project documentation.A description of the most difficult hardware target you have worked on and how you approached it.Your location, general availability, and expected hourly or project-based compensation.Traditional resumes are welcome but not required. Demonstrated ability matters more to us than formal education or job titles.","datePosted":"2026-08-07T08:58:31.637Z","dateModified":"2026-08-07T08:58:31.637Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Xchg Labs","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Reston","addressRegion":"VA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"2cfa42ea2b18c0b77b4ed9e2"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/2cfa42ea2b18c0b77b4ed9e2"}}