Principal CNO Developer (Onsite) with Security Clearance

Nightwing; Palm Bay (FL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Educational assistance

Child/adult backup care

401k matching

Healthcare plans

Job summary

Nightwing CODEX seeks a Senior Principal Cyber Engineer to lead cyber engineering efforts and mentor junior engineers. You will guide complex projects, maintain client communications, and coordinate test events at customer sites.

This onsite role requires a top-tier security posture and hands-on development across a range of systems. You will also contribute to documentation, be involved with source control, and ensure delivery of secure, reliable capabilities for real-world applications in

Qualifications

• Must hold a TS/SCI clearance or be eligible to obtain one.
• Bachelor’s degree in STEM fields recommended with substantial engineering experience.
• Proficient in C/C++ on Unix/Linux; practical experience with Python.
• Experience with source control (Git) and build systems (Make/CMake).
• Strong understanding of low-level programming concepts and memory management.
• Familiarity with networking protocols and security-focused tool development.
• Ability to lead teams, mentor engineers, and communicate with clients.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead on cyber engineering projects, guiding a team of engineers.
• Act as primary technical contact with clients, translating requirements into tasks.
• Travel to customer sites for test events and on-site assessments.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide training and growth opportunities.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, project plans, and status reports.

Skills

TS/SCI Clearance

Bachelor's in STEM

C/C++ on Unix/Linux

Python

Source control (Git)

Networking basics

Low-level programming

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM/engineering

Tools

Git

CMake

Make

Atlassian suite

Job description

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. At Nightwing, we value collaboration and teamwork. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. Together, we'll leverage our collective expertise to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and deliver exceptional results for our clients.

Job Summary

Our team covers the full life cycle from emulation, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, and CNO/CNE tool development for various operating systems. Our mission covers a wide range of targets, anything from major consumer electronics to proprietary one-off systems. If it runs code, we have probably looked at it (or will soon.). In addition, the position will provide deliverables for real-world use in relatively short turn-around times. Projects will be undertaken in small teams with close coordination with customers to quickly enhance capabilities or resolve issues in existing tools for real-world applications. Working as part of a team you will also need to be familiar with source management tools such as GIT and team coordination tools like the Atlassian suite of work products. All candidates must be US citizens and be able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. As a Senior Principal Cyber Engineer at Nightwing CODEX, you will take on a hybrid role combining technical leadership, hands‑on engineering, and client interaction. In this role, you will be responsible for leading technical efforts within our cyber engineering team, providing mentorship and guidance to junior engineers, and ensuring the success of our cybersecurity solutions. You will also travel to customer sites for key test events, coordinating efforts to assess and secure client systems in real-world scenarios. This position is an onsite role.

Responsibilities

We seek a qualified engineer that can perform as a team member on activities involved with vulnerability research, reverse engineering, development, testing, maintenance, and modification of complex classified and unclassified software applications. Technical Leadership: Serve as the technical lead on cyber engineering projects, guiding a team of engineers to ensure solutions meet project requirements and adhere to industry best practices. Customer Engagement: Act as the primary technical point of contact with clients, translating complex technical requirements into actionable tasks and ensuring clear communication with stakeholders. Travel for Test Events: Attend and participate in customer test events, performing on‑site assessments, providing technical support, and ensuring the deployment of secure solutions in real-world scenarios. Mentorship: Mentor junior engineers, providing technical guidance, training, and career development support to build a strong, knowledgeable team. Documentation and Reporting: Develop and maintain technical documentation, project plans, and status reports, keeping clients and internal stakeholders informed of progress and issues.

Required Skills

• * TS/SCI Clearance Required
• Typically requires a Bachelor's in science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM preferred) and a minimum of 10 years of prior engineering experience or equivalent experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations
• Experience with C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems * Experience with Python Practical knowledge of project execution * Ability to make enhancements to and develop software tools * Understanding of low-level programming concepts * Experience with source management tools * Familiarity with stack frames, calling conventions, and memory management Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP stacks, wire‑level protocols, RF communications, BGP, routing protocols, or others) * May have practical knowledge of project management Desired Skills * Experience developing and productizing N-days * Utilizing full system emulation for research and analysis * Experience with assembly language (x86/64, ARM, PPC, Mips, etc.) * Experience with Linux/Unix bootloaders (e.g. u‑boot, aboot) * Experience with and knowledge of SELinux, cgroups, and other Linux permission models * Experience developing against or working with large opensource projects What We Offer whether you're just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs. Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care. In addition to competitive salaries, CODEX offers excellent benefits for you and your family: competitive medical, dental and vision plans, child, elderly and dependent-care programs, mental health resources, tuition assistance, employee discount programs, 401k matching, flexible work schedules (depending on program), a peer recognition and reward system and performance‑based bonuses. Additional Information Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. ERIP Eligibility - This requisition is eligible for an employee referral award. ALL eligibility requirements must be met to receive the referral award. #CODEX At Nightwing, we value collaboration and teamwork. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. Together, we'll leverage our collective expertise to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Thank you for considering joining us as we embark on this new journey and shape the future of cybersecurity and intelligence together as part of the Nightwing team. Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.