Malware Research Engineer - Mac
About this role
Point Wild helps customers monitor, manage, and protect against the risks associated with their identities and personal information in a digital world. Backed by WndrCo, Warburg Pincus and General Catalyst, Point Wild is dedicated to creating the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of industry-leading cybersecurity solutions. Our vision is to become THE go-to resource for every cyber protection need individuals may face - today and in the future.
Join us for the ride!
About the Role
We're looking for a Mac Malware Researcher who will own end-to-end analysis of sophisticated macOS threats—from reverse engineering Mach-O binaries to developing detection strategies that ship directly into our security products. You'll sit at the intersection of threat research and engineering, collaborating closely with detection and product teams to harden coverage for 25 million+ users. This role is open as we accelerate our macOS security capabilities and need a technically sharp researcher who can both dig deep into malware internals and surface findings externally through blogs, whitepapers, and industry conferences.
What You'll Do
- Reverse engineer Mach-O binaries, malicious installers (PKG, DMG), and scripts to identify spyware, backdoors, loaders, and adware behaviors
- Develop and maintain detection signatures, behavioral rules, YARA rules, and generic/heuristic signatures to deliver rapid, scalable protection
- Research macOS-specific persistence mechanisms—LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, cron jobs, login items—and study evasion techniques including notarization abuse, code signing misuse, and sandbox bypass attempts
- Conduct advanced static and dynamic analysis, memory forensics, and behavioral analysis to track malware families, variants, and evolving attack techniques including zero-days
- Write technical reports and threat intelligence documentation, and advocate for research findings through internal stakeholder briefings, external blogs, whitepapers, and industry conferences
- Partner with detection engineering and product teams to translate research insights into measurable improvements in macOS security coverage
What We're Looking For
- 3–5 years of hands-on Mac malware analysis experience with demonstrated proficiency in reverse engineering tools including Hopper, IDA Pro, Ghidra, and LLDB
- Deep knowledge of macOS internals and security architecture—Gatekeeper, XProtect, SIP, TCC—and the Mach-O file format and DYLD dynamic library loading
- Proficiency in C, C++, Objective-C, and Swift, with working knowledge of shell scripting (bash, zsh) and Python
- Proven experience creating YARA rules and generic/heuristic signatures with measurable detection outcomes
- Strong understanding of networking, C2 communication patterns, and persistence techniques specific to macOS
As part of Point Wild, you will:
Solve real customer problems. Point Wild’s point solutions allow consumers to address their immediate cyber protection needs. Our mandate is to continuously anticipate our customers’ evolving digital security needs to create best-in-class solutions aimed at keeping them safe.
See your impact. We are a scrappy, nimble organization where individual contributions are needed and valued. You will see your impact every day.
Accelerate your career. As we expand, you will have the opportunity to learn new technologies, products, and markets in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Most importantly, you’ll get to work with other talented people at a company where people matter. If you want to put your fingerprint on an organization and leapfrog your growth, this is the place for you.
In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination or harassment based on “protected categories,” Point Wild is committed to being an inclusive community where all feel welcome. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at Point Wild.
Important privacy information for United States based job applicants can be found here.
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