Application Developer

Worky; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

BigBear.ai seeks a Senior CNO Software Engineer and Reverse Engineer with an active TS/SCI with Poly to design, prototype, and deploy mission-critical capabilities for national security. You will bridge research and real-world applications, delivering scalable software for operators, analysts, and data scientists.

You will lead end-to-end tool development, perform deep reverse engineering, collaborate across disciplines, advise on deployment, and uphold security standards through peer reviews.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of software engineering with a Bachelor's degree, or 10+ years with a Master's, or 16+ years without a degree.
• Core technical expertise in reverse engineering.
• Proficient in C, C++, and Python.
• Able to coordinate with analysts, operators, and developers to deliver holistic software solutions.
• Experience supporting fielded software in active environments.
• Familiar with Git, Subversion, Jira, Confluence, and Bamboo.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and deploy end-to-end toolsets for constrained mission environments.
• Reverse engineer complex systems and augment existing toolsets.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to translate mission needs into software requirements.
• Act as a technical advisor guiding customers on deployment of software products.
• Participate in peer code reviews to uphold reliability and security.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Reverse engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Software maintenance

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

Master's degree in CS or related field

Tools

Git

Subversion

Jira

Confluence

Bamboo

Job description

Overview

Are you ready to solve some of the most complex technical challenges in national security? As aSenior CNO Software Engineer and Reverse Engineer with an active TS/SCI with Poly, you will be at the forefront of the Computer Network Operations (CNO) mission. This is not a passive maintenance role you will actively design, prototype, and deploy mission-critical capabilities that directly support tactical operations.

You will bridge the gap between cutting edge research and real-world application, working alongside elite analysts, operators, and data scientists to deliver high-impact, scalable solutions. Whether you are building rapid-response prototypes or architecting long-term software systems, your work will have a direct, measurable impact on national security.

What you will do

• Innovate & Prototype:Design, develop, and modify end-to-end toolsets and prototypes that operate seamlessly within highly constrained mission environments.
• Reverse Engineer & Analyze:Dive deep into complex systems to understand their inner workings, augmenting existing toolsets to keep our capabilities ahead of the curve.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines:Partner closely with cross-functional teams including operators, analysts, and external development shops to translate mission needs into robust software requirements.
• Consult & Guide:Serve as a trusted technical advisor, guiding customers on operational direction and the deployment of various software products.
• Uphold Excellence:Participate in collaborative peer code reviews to ensure the highest standards of software reliability and security.

What you need to have

• Experience:
  • 12 or more years of software engineering experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
  • Or 10or more years of experience with a Master’s degree.
  • Or 16 or more years of experience (substituting years of additional software engineering experience in place of a Bachelor's degree).
• Core Technical Expertise:Proven, hands-on experience inReverse Engineering.
• Programming Proficiency:Strong development skills inC, C++, and Python.
• Collaboration & Integration:Demonstrated ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams (analysts, operators, developers) to deliver holistic software solutions.
• Lifecycle Support:Experience supporting and maintaining fielded software systems in active environments.
• Modern Tooling:Familiarity with version control systems (Git, Subversion) and the Atlassian suite (Jira, Confluence, Bamboo).

• All applicants must currently reside in the United States

What we'd like you to have

If you have experience in any of the following, we definitely want to talk to you:

• Polyglot Programming:Experience with Java, JavaScript, Bash, PowerShell, Perl, C#, or Rust.
• CNO Specialization:Experience developing CNO-specific software for Linux, Windows, or Embedded applications.
• Security Research:Background in Vulnerability Research (VR) and Exploit Development.
• Domain Knowledge:Familiarity with end-to-end SIGINT collection and analysis systems, or experience with production-level CNO capabilities and operations.

About BigBear.ai

BigBear.ai is a leading provider of AI-powered decision intelligence solutions for national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. Customers and partners rely on Bigbear.ai’s predictive analytics capabilities in highly complex, distributed, mission-based operating environments. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, BigBear.ai is a public company traded on the NYSE under the symbol BBAI. For more information, visit https://bigbear.ai/ and follow BigBear.ai on LinkedIn: @BigBear.ai and X: @BigBearai.

BigBear.ai is an Equal opportunity employer all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.