Principal macOS Security Researcher

Huntress is a remote-first team founded in 2015 by former NSA cyber operators, working to make enterprise-grade cybersecurity accessible to businesses of all sizes. The company builds its technology in-house and backs it with a 24/7 human-led Security Operations Center (SOC). Reports to: Manager, Product Research. Compensation range: $215,000.00 to $225,000.00 base plus bonus and equity.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

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; 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

Nice to have

Comfortable reverse engineering Mach-O binaries and scripted payloads using debuggers and a disassembler suite (Binary Ninja, IDA Pro, Hopper, or Ghidra); An understanding of how SMBs utilize IT automation tools such as PSAs and RMMs is strongly preferred; Additional understanding of Go, Python, and/or Ruby is preferred

Benefits

100% remote work environment; 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