CNO Software Engineer - OS, Hypervisor, UEFI/BIOS Specialist

Draper Labs; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper is seeking a CNO Software Engineer for its Offensive Cyber Security Group in Reston, VA. The role focuses on developing tailored tools for DoD and IC directives, ranging from cyber operations enablement to embedded vulnerability research.

Candidates should have 3–5 years in cybersecurity, with expertise in kernel modules, drivers, and firmware across Windows, Linux, RTOS, or UEFI. A TS/SCI clearance is preferred, and strong collaboration across teams is essential.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in cybersecurity or related field.
• Proficiency in developing kernel modules, drivers, or firmware for Windows, GNU/Linux, RTOS, or UEFI/BIOS.
• Experience with reversing, memory forensics, and OS internals is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assess hardware and software for security vulnerabilities.
• Develop software meeting security requirements for tailored applications.
• Integrate software with other groups to improve performance.
• Create tools to detect and exploit vulnerabilities and system weaknesses.

Skills

Curiosity-driven problem solving

Clear communication

Team player

Tools

C/C++

Python

GoLang

Rust

Windows

GNU/Linux

RTOS

UEFI/BIOS

Kernel modules

Job description

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary

Draper's Offensive Cyber Security Group is looking for a CNO Software Engineer to develop tailored solutions to meet our DoD and IC Sponsor directives. Our organization's not-for-profit status ensures a capability-driven focus on the United States of America's national interests that allows us to address some of our Nation's most pressing challenges. Due to the variety of USG organizational needs, our technical efforts and opportunities vary from conventional cyber operations enablement tooling to embedded vulnerability research and exploit development on a wide range of devices and systems.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assess hardware and software for security vulnerabilities using a breadth of technologies and techniques.
• Develop software that meets behavior and security requirements for tailored applications.
• Integrate software capabilities with other tasks or groups to improve performance or behavior requirements.
• Create new tools and systems to detect and exploit vulnerabilities and system weaknesses.
• Document nominal application and system functionality, in addition to implemented changes.
• Help define the analysis approach for a particular problem and independently execute assignments
• Contribute high quality content for technical reports and presentations with minimal guidance
• Proactively identify needs and concerns associated with design decisions and communicate them to project leadership
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities

• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel
• Be a team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.

Experience

3-5 years experience in Cybersecurity or related field is required

Additional Job Description

Software Development

• Proficiency in developing kernel modules, drivers, or firmware for Windows, GNU/Linux, RTOS, or UEFI/BIOS.
• Proficiency in implementing hypervisor internals, including VM lifecycle management and hardware emulation.
• Proficiency in crafting custom bootloaders or firmware instrumentation for forensic data collection (e.g. UEFI).
• Proficiency in techniques that prevent reverse engineering and employ obfuscation or diversification.

System and Architecture

• Proficiency with core workings of operating systems (user mode, kernel mode, boot processes), particularly in Windows, GNU/Linux, or RTOS contexts.
• Proficiency in analyzing OS internals for forensic evidence extraction.
• Proficiency in reverse engineering closed-source hypervisors, firmware, or OS components to uncover system artifacts.
• Proficiency in dissecting memory management, interrupt handling, and system calls for forensic traces or anomaly detection.

Forensics and Incident Response

• Proficiency in capturing and analyzing memory dumps, crash reports, runtime logs from OS and hypervisor environments.
• Proficiency in BIOS/UEFI forensic analysis, focusing on firmware modifications, bootkits, or tampered configurations.
• Proficiency in utilizing system internals to identify persistence mechanism, hidden processes, or kernel-level rootkits.

Languages and Development

• Proficiency with programming languages and their build systems such as: C, C++, Python, GoLang, Rust.
• Proficiency with software version control systems.

Leadership and Business

• Successful history in authoring of technical proposals and documents.
• Leadership in advanced R&D initiatives, including government-funded projects.
• Leadership of critical programs with more than two full time staff members.
• Proficient in teamwork and communication with diverse audiences.

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government TS/SCI security clearance

Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.

Job Location - City

Reston

Job Location - State

Virginia

Job Location - Postal Code

20190

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $75,000.00 - $156,000.00

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [e-mail].