CNO Software Engineer Level 2

Adaptic; Maryland; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Adaptic is seeking a CNO Software Engineer to lead development of cybersecurity tools powering mission systems for DoD and IC. You will work with Red, Blue, and Hunt teams to design, implement, and sustain software that detects, analyzes, and defends against evolving threats.

Ideal candidates have TS/SCI with poly, 14+ years in software engineering, and strong experience with modern languages, Windows/UNIX, and DevOps tools.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with polygraph.
• 14+ years of software engineering experience on programs of similar scope.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline.
• 4 years of additional SWE experience may substitute for a degree.
• 2+ years developing with modern languages (C, C++, C#, Java, Python).
• 2+ years developing on Windows or UNIX/Linux systems.
• 2+ years with DevOps tools (Docker, Terraform, Ansible, Packer, Artifactory).
• 1+ year with CI/CD pipelines and tools (Jenkins, Bamboo).
• 1+ year with cybersecurity tools or techniques (e.g., reverse engineering, vulnerability research, MITRE ATT&CK).
• Experience supporting Red Team, Blue Team, or Hunt operations.
• Understanding of cybersecurity concepts, network fundamentals, and threat detection.
• Experience analyzing binaries, memory, logs, or network traffic.
• Experience leading technical efforts or mentoring junior engineers.
• Familiarity with scalable system design, automation, or cloud environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to development of cybersecurity tools and mission systems.
• Design architecture, trade-offs, and integration decisions.
• Collaborate with Red, Blue, and Hunt teams to evolve cyber capabilities.
• Troubleshoot complex software issues and guide defect resolution.
• Support development of tools for vulnerability analysis, malware detection, and network defense.
• Drive implementation of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Work with large-scale data, including logs, binaries, and network traffic.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices.

Skills

C/C++/Java/Python

Windows/UNIX

DevOps tools

Cybersecurity

Mentoring

System design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Tools

Docker

Terraform

Ansible

Packer

Artifactory

Jenkins

Bamboo

Job description

Build the Tools Behind the Mission: Join us as a CNO Software Engineer!

Don’t just write code—build the capabilities that power Computer Network Operations. Supporting the DoD and Intelligence Community, you’ll work alongside Red, Blue, and Hunt teams to develop, enhance, and sustain tools used to detect, analyze, and defend against evolving threats.

This role is ideal for experienced engineers who are ready to lead development efforts, influence system design, and drive technical solutions that directly impact mission success.

Your Impact

You’ll lead and contribute to the development of cybersecurity tools and mission systems—balancing hands‑on development with technical direction across efforts. Day-to-day, that can look like:

• Developing, maintaining, and enhancing complex and diverse software systems based on mission requirements
• Leading or contributing to system and software design, including architecture, trade-offs, and integration decisions
• Collaborating with Red, Blue, and Hunt teams to design and evolve cyber capabilities
• Troubleshooting complex software issues and guiding resolution of defects across systems
• Supporting development of tools for vulnerability analysis, malware detection, and network defense
• Driving implementation of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices to improve delivery and reliability
• Working with large-scale data, including logs, binaries, and network traffic to support analysis and tool functionality
• Supporting rapid-response efforts (QRC) as well as long-term capability development
• Evaluating and integrating emerging technologies to improve mission effectiveness
• Mentoring junior engineers and contributing to team development and best practices

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with polygraph
• Fourteen (14) years of experience as a Software Engineer on programs/contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline
• Four (4) years of additional SWE experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree
• At least two (2) years of experience developing applications using modern programming languages (e.g., C, C++, C#, Java, Python)
• At least two (2) years of experience developing on Windows or UNIX/Linux systems
• At least two (2) years of experience with DevOps tools and technologies (e.g., Docker, Terraform, Ansible, Packer, Artifactory)
• At least one (1) year of experience with CI/CD pipelines and tools (e.g., Jenkins, Bamboo)
• At least one (1) year of experience with cybersecurity tools or techniques, such as reverse engineering, vulnerability research, or MITRE ATT&CK

Nice to Have

• Experience supporting Red Team, Blue Team, or Hunt operations
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity concepts, network fundamentals, and threat detection
• Experience analyzing binaries, memory, logs, or network traffic
• Experience leading technical efforts or mentoring junior engineers
• Familiarity with scalable system design, automation, or cloud-based environments