Director of Offensive Cyber Research

I’m working with a defense-tech team building offensive cyber capabilities used in real national security operations. They are seeking a Director of Offensive Cyber Research to lead offensive cyber capability development supporting real-world national security missions. You’ll guide a distributed team of forward-deployed operators and Arlington-based research engineers, ensuring tools, tradecraft, and research outputs are operationally relevant and mission-ready.

You’ll own strategy and delivery across offensive cyber programs, with a focus on adversary emulation, attack-path analysis, and automated exploitation tooling, working closely with engineering teams and senior government stakeholders in high-security environments. Key Responsibilities

• Set and execute the offensive cyber research strategy and roadmap
• Lead distributed teams of operators and research engineers
• Serve as senior technical authority for offensive tooling and operations
• Translate operator feedback into engineering and R&D priorities
• Oversee development of adversary emulation, attack-path frameworks, and automation tooling
• Guide use of graph-based platforms and large-scale cyber data systems
• Build and manage a high-performing organization (20+)
• Own senior government relationships and technical reviews

Requirements

• 12+ years in offensive cyber operations, exploitation analysis, or threat research
• Senior operational leadership experience in DNEA, elite cyber units, or enterprise-scale red team programs within defense or intelligence environments
• 5+ years leading technical teams
• Proven delivery of complex, mission-critical programs
• Experience briefing senior government stakeholders
• U.S. citizen with active TS/SCI and appropriate polygraph
• Willingness to travel between Arlington, VA and operational sites

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