Senior CNO Tools Architect & Lead Developer

Nightwing; Maryland; On-site; USD 122,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holidays and additional insurance options

Job summary

Nightwing is seeking a candidate for a role in cyber operations to lead the design, development, and testing of advanced CNO capabilities. The ideal candidate must have extensive programming experience and be capable of mentoring junior members while ensuring operational success of tools.

A Bachelor's or Master's degree with relevant experience is required. The salary range is $122,000 to $253,000 depending on qualifications. Benefits include comprehensive healthcare and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Minimum eight years of experience programming in Assembly, C, C++, Java, Perl, and/or Python.
• Minimum five years of experience programming CNO tools for the US Government.
• Experience with project management best practices such as Scrum and Kanban.

Responsibilities

• Designing, developing, testing, and maintaining advanced CNO capabilities.
• Providing mentorship to junior team members.
• Ensuring tools are ready for operational success.

Skills

Programming in Assembly

Programming in C, C++, Java, Perl, Python

Windows applications using Visual Studio or .NET

UNIX applications using make files

CNO tools and techniques

Network sockets programming

Expertise in exploitation techniques

Understanding of network protocols and sockets

Education

Bachelor’s Degree with 12 years or Master’s with 10 years of experience

Tools

Visual Studio

IDA Pro

Ghidra

OllyDbg

Git

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.

Position Overview

The candidate will take a leading role in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining advanced CNO capabilities to fulfill high-priority mission requirements. They will contribute technical expertise, provide mentorship to junior team members, and ensure tools are ready for operational success.

Clearance

TS/SCI + FSP + CI Poly Preferred

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and (12) years of experience OR Master’s degree with (10) years of experience
• Minimum eight (8) years of experience programming in Assembly, C, C++, Java, Perl, and/or Python
• Minimum seven (7) years of experience developing in one (1) or more of the following: Windows applications using Visual Studio or .NET environments; UNIX applications using make files or comparable build environments
• Minimum six (6) years of experience with programming CNO tools and techniques
• Minimum five (5) years of experience managing and supervising teams in support of Government CNO capability development
• Minimum five (5) years of experience programming CNO tools for the US Government
• Minimum four (4) years of experience programming techniques to evade host and/or network-based IDS
• Minimum four (4) years’ experience in network sockets programming and application-level protocols
  
  

Specialized Qualifications

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, and/or Assembly, along with scripting languages (e.g., Bash, PowerShell)
• Deep understanding of operating systems internals and kernel-level programming
• Expertise in exploitation techniques, including buffer overflows, heap spraying, privilege escalation, and more
• Knowledge of modern encryption protocols, defense evasion strategies, and network interception
• Understanding of network protocols and sockets, common CNO techniques, exploitation mitigations such as DEP and ASLR, and modern software engineering concepts
• Experience with reverse engineering frameworks (e.g., IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg) and disassemblers/debuggers
• Experience with project management best practices such as Scrum and Kanban methodologies
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) along with understanding of basic configuration management principles
  
  

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.

Previously part of a leading Fortune 100 company and headquartered in Dulles, VA; Nightwing became independent in 2024 but continues to support the nation’s most mission impactful initiatives.

When we formed Nightwing, we brought a deep set of credentials and an unfaltering commitment to the mission. For over four decades, our team has been providing some of the world’s most technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence support services to the U.S. government on its most important missions.

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 offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays and additional insurances.

Salary & Benefits

The salary associated with this position ($122,000-$253,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.

Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.

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.