Senior Principal Software Engineer

Location: Corridor North

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.

Senior Software Developer - Software Defined Networking At Nightwing, we are seeking an exceptional Senior Software Developer who embodies technical excellence and craftsmanship in Software Defined Networking. We need someone who doesn't just write code, they architect elegant, performant solutions that stand the test of time. If you can spot the slop in poorly designed systems and have an innate drive to build SDN solutions that "just work forever," this role is for you.

About the Role:

As a Senior Software Developer specializing in Software Defined Networking, you will be responsible for designing and implementing mission-critical SDN infrastructure that demands reliability, performance, and maintainability. You will work with open-source SDN controllers, create infrastructure-as-code solutions, and establish engineering standards that elevate our entire development practice. This is not a role for those who chase trends;
We want an industry leader who understands the nuances of network protocols, distributed systems, and the subtle art of writing code that remains stable and maintainable for years.

This onsite role is based at our National Business Park, Maryland location supporting the Neptune program.

Responsibilities:

Design and develop Software Defined Networking solutions using open-source controllers with deep attention to architectural integrity and long-term maintainability

Implement Layer 2/3 network protocols, routing algorithms, and network management interfaces (e.g., YANG) with precision and performance optimization

Create infrastructure-as-code solutions using Terraform, Ansible, and modern CI/CD pipelines that are reproducible and resilient

Develop and integrate SDN applications with containerized architectures using Kubernetes, ensuring seamless orchestration across hybrid cloud environments

Lead code reviews with a critical eye for quality, identifying architectural weaknesses, performance bottlenecks, and maintainability issues before they reach production

Collaborate with network engineers and security teams to implement Dev Sec Ops  practices that don't compromise on either velocity or security

Mentor junior developers on software craftsmanship, network protocol implementation, and the principles of building systems that endure

Work with physical network processors and network debugging tools to troubleshoot and optimize at both application and packet levels

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related STEM field8+ years of software development experience with demonstrable expertise in building production-grade network systems

Deep proficiency in multiple programming languages including Python, Java, and C/C++ with the ability to choose the right tool for each problem

Expert-level understanding of network protocols: TCP/IP stack, Layer 2/3 protocols, DHCP/DHCPv6, RIP, ARP, with hands-on implementation experience

Strong background in NETCONF/YANG, REST APIs, and network management interfaces

Demonstrated ability to write clean, maintainable, performant code that other engineers respect and want to emulate

Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, Ansible) and container orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker)
Proficiency with CI/CD workflows using Git Lab, Jenkins, or similar platforms

Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraphU.S. citizenship required

What Sets This Role Apart:

This is not a position for engineers who prioritize speed over quality or follow the latest framework fad without understanding the fundamentals. We're looking for someone who:

Understands the nuances:
You know why certain design decisions matter five years down the line, not just today

Spots the slop:
You can review code and immediately identify technical debt, performance issues, and maintainability problems

Builds to last:
Your solutions are elegant, well-documented, and require minimal maintenance because they were designed…