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by loumf 4398 days ago
I used to lead development in an image processing company. I can tell you that anyone with interest and skills in low-level programming is hard to come by, so when we found it, we were interested.

From Matasano's careers page, I understand that they feel the same way about crypto. Are you in one of NYC, SF, or Chicago -- if so, I would just apply there.
1 comments
roronoa 4398 days ago
I am in Australia...so no Matasano for me.

Honestly, I had been thinking about getting a little more experience before applying to companies like that, but you have a good point.

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loumf 4398 days ago
Use interviews to find your weak points and get practice. You don't want to come across your perfect job and have that be your first interview.

For my part, when I look at low-level programmers, I really just want to make sure they have a handle on pointers and the allocator, stack vs. heap, strategies for making that understandable (RAII in C++ or reference counting for example), how to debug access violation (and what it really means). Most everything else can be taught.

Also, for crypto, there are lots of entry-points for web developers -- web penetration is a big part of it.

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roronoa 4398 days ago
Good tips, thanks. I haven't really interviewed in a while.

I am looking at pentesting as a potential next step. Based on my initial research it seems doable and might lead to good opportunities down the road...

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tonteldoos 4398 days ago
Whereabouts in Aus are you?

I'm in a vaguely similar boat. Electronic Engineer, doing low-level software for the last decade, and now having to pivot to more web stuff, because there's little other work where I am. And yes, also in mid-thirties.

Might be interesting to talk f2f if you're local?

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roronoa 4398 days ago
Melbourne...

I am kind of approaching this from the opposite direction (looking for lower level stuff, but not really embedded either)

I think there's an opportunity for knowing both (IoT, and things like that), but definitely more action on the web stuff in general.

Might be interesting to share tips and strategies. My email is on the profile.

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