Principal CNO Developer (Onsite)

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. We serve customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

About the role

Our team covers the full life cycle from emulation, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, and CNO/CNE tool development for various operating systems. Our mission covers a wide range of targets, from major consumer electronics to proprietary one-off systems. The position will provide deliverables for real-world use in relatively short turn-around times. Projects will be undertaken in small teams with close coordination with customers to quickly enhance capabilities or resolve issues in existing tools for real-world applications.

This is an onsite role requiring U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead on cyber engineering projects, guiding a team of engineers to ensure solutions meet project requirements and adhere to industry best practices.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact with clients, translating complex technical requirements into actionable tasks and ensuring clear communication with stakeholders.
• Travel to customer sites for key test events, performing on-site assessments, providing technical support, and ensuring the deployment of secure solutions in real-world scenarios.
• Mentor junior engineers, providing technical guidance, training, and career development support.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, project plans, and status reports for clients and internal stakeholders.
• Perform vulnerability research, reverse engineering, development, testing, maintenance, and modification of complex classified and unclassified software applications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM preferred) and a minimum of 10 years of prior engineering experience (or equivalent experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations).
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• Experience with C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems.
• Experience with Python.
• Practical knowledge of project execution and ability to make enhancements to and develop software tools.
• Understanding of low-level programming concepts, stack frames, calling conventions, and memory management.
• Experience with source management tools such as GIT and team coordination tools like the Atlassian suite.
• Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP stacks, wire-level protocols, RF communications, BGP, routing protocols, or others).

Desired Skills

• Experience developing and productizing N-days.
• Utilizing full system emulation for research and analysis.
• Experience with assembly language (x86/64, ARM, PPC, Mips, etc.).
• Experience with Linux/Unix bootloaders (e.g. u-boot, aboot).
• Experience with and knowledge of SELinux, cgroups, and other Linux permission models.
• Experience developing against or working with large open-source projects.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Child, elderly, and dependent-care programs.
• Mental health resources.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee discount programs.
• 401k matching.
• Flexible work schedules (depending on program).
• Peer recognition and reward system.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Parental (including paternal) leave.
• Achievement awards.
• Educational assistance and child/adult backup care.