Staff Security Research Engineer

Proofpoint • Augusta, ME, US

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Join to apply for the Staff Security Research Engineer role at Proofpoint

We are the leader in human-centric cybersecurity. Half a million customers, including 87 of the Fortune 100, rely on Proofpoint to protect their organizations. We're driven by a mission to stay ahead of bad actors and safeguard the digital world. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

At Proofpoint, you'll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity, guided by our BRAVE core values : Bold in how we dream and innovate, Responsive to feedback, challenges, and opportunities, Accountable for results and best-in-class outcomes, Visionary in future-focused problem-solving, Exceptional in execution and impact.

Job Description

Your day-to-day

Design and develop software using a variety of languages, primarily Python, with little external guidance, while providing technical leadership to guide other software engineers on the team
Some skill in modifying existing web-based UI for internal tools is needed to maintain and extend the sandbox submission and report UI for Proofpoint threat researchers to use
Some work requires skill in writing C or C++ for low level interactions with the OS
Develop and maintain web browser interaction capabilities using Chrome web driver
Analyze and Reverse Engineer JavaScript that fingerprints web browser artifacts to identify sandbox web browsers or instrumentation, and innovate solutions to defeat those checks
Familiarity with analyzing web front-end and the Document Object Model (DOM)
Develop and maintain software for processing network traffic, including TLS decryption and processing PCAP files
Work closely with threat analysts and detection engineers who research threat actors and write detection rules which run on the systems you develop
As needed, create new detection languages and systems that allow threat researchers to develop detection rules
Add features to existing threat detection languages to allow greater flexibility by threat researchers to automate interactions with websites and detect threat patterns
Make use of AI Large Language Models as appropriate to enhance threat detection pipelines, produce samples to test evasion countermeasures, and make sound decisions about when applying AI is a benefit vs. a detriment to achieving goals
Design and develop automation pipelines to turn manual tasks into automated scripts
Stay abreast of a constantly evolving threat landscape
Understand the latest tactics, techniques, and procedures used by threat actors to bypass detection environments, especially URL sandbox fingerprinting / detection / evasion techniques used by threat actors
As needed, provide expert assistance and support to threat researchers and analysts as they analyze phishing websites, threat detection evasion techniques, and security research or red team demonstrations of new evasion techniques
As needed to support sandbox countermeasure development, reverse engineering malware executable files for Windows (note primary malware reverse engineering responsibilities rest on other job roles and are not expected regularly for this role)
Apply critical thinking skills to identify the most efficient and effective way to mitigate threats and evasions
Work effectively as part of a remote team using chat, video chat and conference calls
Work with other engineering teams, defining requirements, for continuous improvement of critical detection capabilities

Requirements

What You Bring To The Team

A passion for threat research and a well-rounded yet deep understanding of the security threat landscape and actor TTPs, especially understanding how to develop countermeasures for threat actor evasions and sandbox detection techniques

Ability to write production-grade, reliable Python code with instrumentation that supports observability and monitoring of performance and errors is required

Experience developing software using Docker containers is required

Experience developing web browser automation is required

Experience analyzing network traffic for threat detection and a solid understanding of TLS, HTTP, and other network protocols used by malware is required

Willing and able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a distributed team of industry-leading security researchers

Ability to perform the above in a fully remote work environment

Nice to Have

Experience with C and C++ is a plus

Experience developing Windows API hooks and knowing how to research undocumented Windows API internal functions is a plus

Experience writing malware behavior signatures

Some experience analyzing malware using a debugger, and willingness to learn is a plus

Experience with statically reverse engineering malware using IDA Pro, Ghidra, Binary Ninja, or other reverse engineering tools is a plus, although being an expert is not required

Ability to accurately interpret the forensic output of dynamic analysis (sandbox) environments

Experience with a variety of publicly-available malware sandboxes (for example Cuckoo, Joe Sandbox, Any Run, Triage, etc.)

Additional Information

Travel 1% - 10% (flexible) mainly for team collaboration or security conferences

Location Canada (Remote), US (Remote), Argentina (Remote), UK (Remote), Ireland (Remote), Germany (Remote), France (Remote), Switzerland (Remote)

Must be able to work during business hours local to your time-zone

Why Proofpoint

As a customer focused and driven-to-win organization with leading edge products, there are many exciting reasons to join the Proofpoint team. We believe in hiring the best the brightest and cultivating a culture of collaboration and appreciation.

Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits are offered. We are committed to the growth and development of our team members, offering a range of programs including leadership and professional development workshops, stretch project assignments, and mentoring opportunities to help employees reach their full potential.

Proofpoint is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

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Staff Security Engineer • Augusta, ME, US