Senior Principal Cyber Engineer

Nightwing; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 253,000; Full time

Job summary

Nightwing is seeking a Senior Principal Cyber Engineer to join CODEX on-site at a customer site in Sterling, Virginia. You will solve advanced cyber challenges, build native mobile applications, and integrate reverse engineering results into development with user feedback.

Applicants must hold a current TS/SCI clearance and have 10+ years of C/C++ on Unix/Linux, plus iOS/Objective-C experience; familiarity with core Unix features and threading is required.

Qualifications

• Top Secret Clearance required.
• 10+ years of C/C++ on Unix/Linux.
• Experience developing on iOS and Objective-C.
• Experience with core Unix features and threading utilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-impact native mobile applications.
• Integrate reverse engineering results into development products.
• Expand knowledge of the mobile platform to meet customer requirements.

Skills

C/C++ development

iOS development

Objective-C

Top Secret Clearance

Education

Technical degree

Tools

HexRays

Ghidra

Corellium

Docker

Git

JIRA

Bitbucket

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.

Senior Principal Cyber Engineer

Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) is seeking a cyber engineer to join our team to solve crucial cyber challenges, working on site with our end users in their spaces. Applicants will join a team of developers building high impact native applications for mobile devices, with continuous and meaningful feedback from users. Applicants are expected to integrate reverse engineering results into development products and expand their knowledge of the mobile platform to meet development objectives and customer requirements.

The place of performance for this work is at a customer site in Sterling, Virginia.

CODEX Overview

Nightwing’s CODEX (Cyber Offense and Defense Experts) division brings together an elite team of mission-focused industry experts who are well known for their ability to overcome the most advanced technical challenges. The team comprises engineers of multiple disciplines including vulnerability research, reverse engineering, CNO/CNE development, hardware emulation, system engineering, and data analytics. Our engineers do more than just work with cutting-edge technology—they ensure missions succeed for our customers. CODEX offers its engineers the ability to advance their careers through mentorship, training, and an expansive technical portfolio that covers every side of cyber.

Technical Requirements

• Top Secret Clearance

• At least 10 years of experience with C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms
• Experience developing on iOS
• Experience with objective C
• Experience with core Unix features, including
  • Named Pipes / Pipes
  • pThreads
  • Signal Handlers
• Familiarity with static decompilers (e.g HexRays) & disassemblers (e.g. Ghidra)

Desired Experience

• Experience developing in iOS kernel space
• Experience with the ARM64/ARM32 Architecture or other similar platform
• Experience with Core Foundation framework
• Experience using virtualization technologies (e.g., Corellium)
• Experience using Docker
• Experience with AI agent task delegation and output evaluation
• Familiarity with Atlassian products (Bitbucket, Bamboo, JIRA, etc.)
• Familiarity with version control software such as git
• Developing proof‑of‑concept exploit software

Education Requirements

Requires a degree in a technical discipline

Security Clearance

Current TS/SCI clearance is required

This position is not relocation eligible but a signing bonus may be an option for the sufficiently qualified candidate.

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.

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.