Software Security Compiler Engineer

About Variant Security

Variant Security provides advanced protection for critical technology fleets in the AI age. As identical software runs on countless devices, exploits can easily cascade through satellite constellations, drones, vehicles, and defense systems. While AI lowers the cost to discover vulnerabilities, Variant's technology ensures attacks against one device do not threaten the rest, eliminating single points of failure and securing assets across aerospace, defense, and conflict zones.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Compiler Engineer to develop and maintain the core compiler technology behind our product. This role involves enhancing compiler passes to improve build security, analyzing generated binaries for validation, and building supporting systems and tools. You will collaborate closely with the founding team, with significant autonomy and the potential to become the domain lead.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and improve compiler passes that enhance build resilience against exploitation.
• Analyze and reverse engineer compiled binaries to verify compiler transformations.
• Evaluate the security and performance impacts on architectures including x86, AArch64, and RISC-V.
• Develop tooling using modern C++ and Python; integrate compilers with CMake and customer CI/CD pipelines.

Qualification Requirements

• Master's degree or equivalent practical experience in cybersecurity or computer science.
• Direct experience handling binary files through reverse engineering, exploitation, or vulnerability assessment.
• Proficiency with Python and modern C++ programming languages.
• Ability to interpret assembly and debug low-level code on at least one architecture among x86, AArch64, or RISC-V.
• Highly self-motivated and capable of working independently with strong initiative.

Preferred Skills

• Experience contributing to compilers like Clang/LLVM or working on IR-level transformations.
• Familiarity with binary analysis software such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, or Binary Ninja.
• Understanding of exploit mitigation techniques including ASLR, control-flow integrity, stack canaries, and data execution prevention.
• Background knowledge in embedded systems, firmware, OS internals, or executable formats (ELF/PE), including linkers and loaders.

Benefits

• Work on unique and challenging problems at the intersection of compilers and binary security.
• Gain early-stage equity and competitive salary with an opportunity to shape a new company.
• Learn directly from founders with extensive experience in security, compiler technology, and aerospace domains.
• Contribute to technology actively protecting fleets in aerospace, defense, and conflict zones.
• Work onsite in Bochum with opportunities for collaboration across Germany and the US, including visits and remote work with US teams.