Senior Vulnerability Researcher/Hardware Reverse Engineer/CNO De with Security Clearance

Nightwing; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compensation

Healthcare and retirement benefits

Career development and recognition

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Educational assistance

Backup care

Job summary

Nightwing is seeking Vulnerability Researchers to analyze systems, develop and defeat advanced security techniques, and work closely with customers in a collaborative team environment. Engineers write code and spend time dissecting systems, with daily work including disassembly and Python-based audits of C++ code.

The role involves hands-on embedded reverse engineering, OS internals, and understanding network protocols, with opportunities to tackle mission-critical challenges for U.S.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government TS/SCI Clearance.
• Bachelor's or MS in a technical discipline with required years of experience (BS/MS: 5 years; MS: 3 years), or equivalent experience.
• Experience with C/C++, Python, and reverse engineering of embedded systems.
• Familiarity with OS internals, assembly language, and network protocols.

Responsibilities

• Analyze systems to understand behavior and vulnerabilities, developing and defeating security techniques.
• Collaborate in small teams with customers to deliver solutions.
• Write code and study disassembly or audit C++ code using Python and debugging tools.

Skills

C/C++

Python

OS internals

Networking protocols

Exploit mitigations

Embedded systems

Assembly

Education

BS/MS in STEM

Tools

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Hex-Rays

Binary Ninja

objdump

gdb

WinDbg

OllyDbg

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. 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. 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.

Job Summary

Vulnerability Researchers at NightWing CODEX analyze systems to understand how they work and how they behave when they break. Candidates must be able to play both sides of the fence, both developing and defeating new and advanced security techniques. Projects are undertaken in small teams with close coordination with customers. All our engineers write code, but many of our engineers spend as much time taking systems apart as building new ones. A typical day can involve studying disassembly or writing Python to audit a piece of C++ code.

Role Type

This position is an onsite role

Required Skills

Ability to obtain a U.S. Government TS/SCI Clearance

• Experience with C or C++
• Experience with Python
• Basic hardware reverse engineering of embedded systems
• JTAG, CAN, SWD, or other hardware interface experience
• Requires a Bachelor's in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM preferred) and a minimum of 5 years of prior engineering experience or equivalent experience, or MS with minimum of 3 years of experience * 4 or more of the following desired skills Desired Skills * Existing U.S. Government DOD TS or TS/SCI Clearance
• Understanding of OS Internals (any major OS)
• Experience reading or writing assembly (x86, x64, ARM, PPC, MIPS, SPARC, 68k, or others)
• Familiarity with stack frames, calling conventions, and memory management * Experience developing embedded systems
• Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP stacks, wire-level protocols, RF communications, BGP, routing protocols, or others).
• Understanding of exploit mitigations such as DEP and ASLR
• Experience using reverse engineering tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, HexRays, Binary Ninja, or objdump.
• Experience using debuggers such as gdb, WinDbg, OllyDbg
• Experience building and using tools to find, exploit, and productize vulnerabilities in complex software systems
• Utilizing full system emulation for research and analysis

Education Required

BS/MS in technical discipline (Equivalent work experience will be considered)

What We Offer

• compensation
• healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits
• career development and recognition programs
• parental (including paternal) leave
• flexible work schedules
• achievement awards
• educational assistance and child/adult backup care

Equal Opportunity

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.

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.