Head of Adversarial Research

Company Overview

TENEX is an AI-native, automation-first, built-for-scale Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider. We are a force multiplier for defenders, helping organizations enhance their cybersecurity posture through advanced threat detection, rapid response, and continuous protection. Our team is composed of industry experts with deep experience in cybersecurity, automation and AI-driven solutions. Backed by leading investors, we are rapidly growing and seeking top talent to join our mission of revolutionizing the AI-Native MDR landscape.

We’re a fast-growing startup backed by industry experts and top-tier investors led by Crosspoint Capital Partners and also backed by Shield Capital, DTCP (formerly Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners), Deepwork Capital, and the Florida Opportunity Fund. Seed round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). As an early employee, you’ll play a meaningful role in defining and building our culture. Get in on the ground floor. We’re a small but well-funded team that just raised a substantial round – joining now comes with limited risk and unlimited upside.

Culture is one of the most important things at —explore our culture deck at to witness how we embody it, prioritizing the irreplaceable collaboration and community of in-person work.

About the Opportunity

TENEX is disrupting the MDR space by combining AI-native automation with human-led expertise. As the Head of Adversarial Research, you will build and run the elite research arm of our organization from the ground up. You will be the tip of the spear for tracking in-the-wild campaigns, dismantling advanced malware variants, and analyzing emerging threat actor toolkits. Your research will directly power our detection engineering teams to stay ahead of adversaries, while your published thought leadership will cement TENEX’s reputation as an authoritative voice in the cybersecurity community.

What You’ll Do

• Build and lead the team: Recruit, mentor, and direct a world-class team of adversarial researchers, reverse engineers, and threat intelligence analysts.

• Track the threat landscape: Continuously monitor, analyze, and document advanced threat actor campaigns, novel toolkits, TTPs, and malware variants.

• Drive detection innovation: Perform deep-dive adversarial research—including adversary emulation and malware analysis—to uncover new attack vectors and partner with Detection Engineering to translate these findings into high-fidelity, AI-driven detections.

• Publish and present: Author high-impact blogs, whitepapers, and technical reports on novel findings. Represent TENEX at premier cybersecurity conferences and industry events.

• Partner across the business: Act as the ultimate escalation point for complex threat analysis, working closely with the SOC, Incident Response, and Software Engineering teams to ensure our AI models and human analysts are equipped with the latest intelligence.

What You Bring

• 7+ years in cyber threat intelligence, adversarial research, reverse engineering, or offensive security, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or team-building role.

• Deep understanding of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, threat actor methodologies, and the cybercrime ecosystem.

• Hands-on expertise analyzing malware, exploit kits, and adversary infrastructure.

• A proven track record of published research, public speaking, or community contributions (blogs, CVEs, conference talks).

• Ability to translate highly technical, deeply complex threat data into actionable detection logic and clear executive summaries.

Bonus Points

• Strong scripting/development skills (Python, Go, C/C++) for automating malware analysis or building custom research tools.

• Prior experience building a research or intel function within an MDR, MSSP, or high-growth startup environment.

• Experience leveraging AI/Machine Learning for threat intelligence and pattern recognition.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• Relevant advanced certifications are highly preferred (e.g., GREM, GCTI, OSCE, OSCP, or similar).

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to build and shape a critical department from the ground floor at a disruptive, well-funded MDR company.

• Directly impact the effectiveness of our AI-native platform by driving the intelligence that fuels our detections.

• Competitive salary, equity, and benefits package.

• A culture of growth, technical excellence, and collaboration, with the freedom to pursue groundbreaking research in emerging technologies.