Principal CNO Developer; Onsite Security Clearance

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers' most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

At Nightwing, we value collaboration and teamwork. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. Together, we'll leverage our collective expertise to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and deliver exceptional results for our clients.

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, anything from major consumer electronics to proprietary one-off systems. If it runs code, we have probably looked at it (or will soon.). In addition, 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. Working as part of a team you will also need to be familiar with source management tools such as GIT and team coordination tools like the Atlassian suite of work products.

• Lead technical efforts within our cyber engineering team, providing mentorship and guidance to junior engineers, and ensuring the success of our cybersecurity solutions.
• 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.
• Attend and participate in customer 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 to build a strong, knowledgeable team.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, project plans, and status reports, keeping clients and internal stakeholders informed of progress and issues.
• Travel to customer sites for key test events and coordinate efforts to assess and secure client systems in real‑world scenarios.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens and be able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

• TS/SCI Clearance Required.
• Typically requires a Bachelor's 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.
• Experience with C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems.
• Experience with Python and practical knowledge of project execution.
• Ability to make enhancements to and develop software tools.
• Understanding of low‑level programming concepts.
• Experience with source management tools (e.g., GIT).
• Familiarity with stack frames, calling conventions, and memory management.
• Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP stacks, wire‑level protocols, RF communications, BGP, routing protocols, or others).
• May have practical knowledge of project management.

• 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.

What We Offer:

Whether…