Principal macOS Security Researcher
Reports to: Manager, Product Research
Location: Remote US
Compensation Range: $215,000.00 to $225,000.00 base plus bonus and equity
What You’ll Do:
Lead product research initiatives that develop and evaluate macOS security product strategies and technologies
Identify and prototype new telemetry from Apple's Endpoint Security API and other macOS subsystems to expand prevention, hardening, and detection capabilities
Reproduce and analyze macOS attacks through hands-on execution of attacker techniques, malware detonation, and vulnerability exploitation
Reverse engineer macOS malware and Apple's own security frameworks (XProtect, XProtect Remediator, Gatekeeper, TCC) to identify coverage gaps and inform product direction
Prototype and test new tools and methodologies for offensive operations against macOS endpoints, including EDR evasion and bypass research
Build proof-of-concept implementations that demonstrate the feasibility of new capabilities
Document research findings and collaborate with Detection Engineering on writing and tuning detectors
Coordinate with Product and Engineering teams to integrate and operationalize solutions developed by Security teams
Stand up ephemeral research environments and attacker infrastructure using cloud, VM, and container technologies
Track Apple platform changes across beta and release cycles, and assess their impact on agent capability, telemetry, and detection coverage
Identify and address gaps in macOS product coverage, including false positive and false negative investigations
Develop internal and external technical documentation to educate customers and adjacent teams on macOS security risks and opportunities
Mentor and teach across the team on macOS internals, malware analysis, and research methodology
Promote Huntress' reputation through public speaking, CFPs, blogs, and media interaction
What You Bring To The Team:
Deep expertise in macOS system internals, including the security model, code signing and notarization, TCC, SIP, persistence, and the Mach-O file format
Hands-on experience with Apple's Endpoint Security API and system extension development
Authority on macOS security threats, attack techniques, and the current macOS malware landscape
Familiarity with macOS fleet management (MDM, configuration profiles, mobileconfig deployment)
Experience red teaming and performing attack emulation to bypass EDR on macOS
Proficiency with Swift. Additional understanding of Go, Python, and/or Ruby is preferred.
Experience with the MITRE ATT&CK matrix, Sigma, YARA, and Elasticsearch/Kibana
Track record of building POCs and carrying research from concept through to a shipped product capability
Experience leading data requirements work and tying it to cost/benefit analysis on collecting and storing only high-value telemetry
Commitment to clear written documentation of research findings
Comfortable reading Apple developer documentation, framework headers, and API references to answer undocumented questions
An understanding of how SMBs utilize IT automation tools such as PSAs and RMMs is strongly preferred
Bonus: Comfortable reverse engineering Mach-O binaries and scripted payloads using debuggers and a disassembler suite (Binary Ninja, IDA Pro, Hopper, or Ghidra)
What We Offer:
100% remote work environment - since our founding in 2015
Generous paid time off policy, including vacation, sick time, and paid holidays
12 weeks of paid parental leave
Highly competitive and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits plans
401(k) with a 5% contribution regardless of employee contribution
Life and Disability insurance plans
Stock options for all full-time employees
One-time $500 reimbursement for building/upgrading home office
Annual allowance for education and professional development assistance
$75 USD/month digital reimbursement
Access to the BetterUp platform for coaching, personal, and professional growth