At MacPaw, we craft software that makes everyday tech life simpler, cleaner, and more enjoyable. From globally loved products like CleanMyMac and Setapp to emerging cybersecurity tools like ClearVPN and Moonlock, we are building a product ecosystem that reaches millions of people worldwide.
We believe humans and technology can reach their greatest potential together. By fusing high engineering standards, thoughtful design, and practical AI, we rethink how people interact with their devices and shape the daily tech routines of the future.
Working at MacPaw means owning outcomes, not just tasks. We build for global scale from day one, giving you the trust, freedom, and room to experiment.
In our team, we challenge ideas directly, support each other genuinely, and build software that makes a meaningful difference — both in the tech world and beyond.
We are looking for a Junior
Malware Research Engineer
to join Moonlock — someone with a strong research mindset, curious, and attentive to detail. This role is a good fit for an ambitious person who enjoys threat analysis, values accuracy, and likes connecting the dots to understand emerging global attack trends.
You will be part of a highly collaborative malware research team, working closely with teammates to gather threat intelligence, build threat collections, share findings, and continuously improve our detection pipeline in a fast-evolving threat landscape.
In this role, you will:
- Analyze malware samples and suspicious files under the guidance of senior engineers.
- Collect, organize, and validate indicators of compromise (IoCs) and threat intelligence data from public, internal, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) to help maintain malware knowledge bases.
- Assist in creating and improving malware detection rules, such as YARA.
- Investigate user-reported security incidents, support Customer Support with technical investigations of typical security-related cases, and help classify threats.
- Research emerging malware trends, attack techniques, and security technologies to identify broader threat trends and build collections based on similarity.
- Prepare research summaries and technical documentation, and assist in preparing articles or posts on the team's threat findings.
Skills you’ll need to bring:
- Basic understanding of malware concepts, common attack techniques (like phishing), and general cybersecurity principles.
- Basic knowledge of operating system fundamentals, including processes, memory management, filesystems, and permissions.
- Familiarity with macOS, Linux, or UNIX-like environments.
- Basic understanding of malware analysis methodologies, specifically static and dynamic analysis concepts.
- Familiarity with YARA or willingness to learn detection rule development.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with great attention to detail and a careful approach to work.
- Experience or comfort using AI tools to assist in data processing and automation.
- At least an Upper-Intermediate level of English and fluent Ukrainian.
As a plus:
- Experience with scripting or automation using Python, Bash, or a similar language.
- Hands-on experience with malware analysis through personal, academic, or professional projects.
- Understanding of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), threat intelligence concepts, and the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
- Experience working with virtual machines and automated sandbox environments.
What We Offer
We are a Ukrainian company, and we stand with Ukraine against the russian aggression
- We maintain workplaces for the mobilized Macpawians and provide financial support to colleagues or their families affected by the war. Here, you can also read about the MacPaw Foundation, which intends to help save the lives of Ukrainian defenders and provide relief to as many civilians as possible.
We are committed to our veterans
- Our Veteran Career and Empowerment Program is designed to ensure our veterans and active military personnel receive the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserve.
Hybrid work model
- Whether to work remotely or at the hub is entirely up to you. If you decide to mix it, our Kyiv office, which works as a coworking space, is open around the clock. The office is supplied with UPS and Starlink for an uninterrupted work process.
Your health always comes first
- We guarantee medical insurance starting on your first working month. For those abroad, you can receive a yearly Medical insurance allowance as compensation for managing your medical expenses.
Flexible working hours
- You can choose a schedule that is comfortable for you. No one here tracks your clock in/out because MacPaw is built on trust and cooperation.
Space to grow both professionally and personally
- Education opportunities to grow both hard and soft skills, annual development reviews, and internal community.
Teams we are proud of
- We build honest, transparent, and reliable relationships within teams. Every Macpawian can improve processes and implement their ideas. We encourage open and constructive feedback and provide training for Macpawians on giving and receiving feedback.
Office designed for people (and pets)
- Our office has it all: a spacious workplace with enough room for sitting up, lying down, and running around; a gym for recreation; cozy kitchens; a sleeping/meditation room; and a terrace with a view where we throw summer parties. Also, we have two cats living in the office.
Time-off policy that covers life’s needs
- Convenient personal time-off policy to help you take care of essential matters in your personal life, and parental leaves. On top of all that, sabbaticals are open after 5 years of being with MacPaw.
Join social initiatives with MacPawCares
- MacPaw participates in numerous humanitarian aid and charity projects across many fields, and you are welcome to jump in to make the world a better place.
We’re an equal-opportunity employer. Here is a safe place for applicants of all backgrounds
- We are hiring talented humans. Meaning with all our variety of backgrounds and identities, including service members and veterans, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals with disabilities, and other often underrepresented groups. MacPaw does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
- Some benefits are under development, and new adjustments are possible.
