CNO Developer (iOS) with Security Clearance

Cornerstone Defense; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 185,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

MedicalDentalVision

PTO

401(k)

HSA/FSA

Life and Disability Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Perks at Work

Referral Program

Travel Assistance

Financial & Legal Services

Job summary

Cornerstone Defense LLC is seeking a highly motivated CNO Developer (iOS) to join our Annapolis Junction team. You will work on mission-critical cyber operations, applying deep iOS internals knowledge and low-level development skills in constrained environments.

The role requires strong C/C++ expertise, experience with reverse engineering, and the ability to analyze binaries without symbols. Collaboration in a small, fast-paced team is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong iOS internals experience and OS architecture understanding.
• Reverse engineering with IDA Pro or Ghidra.
• Ability to analyze binaries without symbols.
• Proficiency in C and C++ for low‑level development.
• Experience in constrained or security‑sensitive environments.
• Ability to design, implement, test, and maintain complex capabilities end‑to‑end.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and maintain CNO tools for mission-focused iOS operations.
• Analyze OS internals and system‑level behavior to create advanced capabilities.
• Work in small, high‑trust teams to deliver solutions for cyber operations.

Skills

IOS internals

Reverse engineering

Binary analysis

C/C++

Embedded/security

End-to-end design

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

IDA Pro

Ghidra

Job description

Title: CNO Developer (iOS) Location: Annapolis Junction, MD Compensation Range: $185 -$205K

• Clearance:
• Active TS/SCI w/ Polygraph needed to apply
• Company Overview: Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation's toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don't look any further than Cornerstone Defense. Benefits Overview: Cornerstone Defense offers a very comprehensive benefits package including, but not limited to: Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Generous PTO Policy
• 401(k)
• HSA and FSA options
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement and Training
• Perks at Work Discount Program
• Referral Program
• Leads Generation Program
• CollegeAmerica 529
• Fitness Reimbursement Program
• Travel Assistance
• Norton Lifelock Benefit Solutions
• Life Planning Financial & Legal Services
• Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled CNO Developer to join our iOS team supporting mission-critical cyber operations. The ideal candidate must possess strong software engineering fundamentals, hands‑on experience with iOS internals, and at least two years of cybersecurity or CNO-focused development. This role supports mission‑driven SAS efforts and requires engineers comfortable working at low levels of the operating system, analyzing complex behaviors, and developing advanced capabilities in constrained environments. Required Skills:
• Strong iOS internals experience, including knowledge of operating system architecture, application lifecycle, security mechanisms, sandboxing, and system‑level behavior.
• Reverse engineering experience using IDA Pro or Ghidra
• Ability to analyze binaries, interpret compiler output, and understand functionality without symbols.
• Proficiency in C and C++ for low-level, performance‑sensitive, or security‑focused development.
• Experience developing, debugging, and sustaining software in constrained, embedded, or security‑sensitive environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, test, and maintain complex capabilities end‑to‑end.
• Desired Skills:
• Experience with vulnerability research, exploitation, or mobile‑focused security research.
• Familiarity with kernel‑mode concepts or OS‑level subsystem behavior.
• Experience supporting mission‑focused CNO tool development.
• Comfort working in small, fast‑moving, high‑trust engineering teams.
• Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus five (5) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity
• At least 2 years of experience must be in cybersecurity or CNO-specific development.