Software Developer (System Security)

Nightwing Technologies, LLC; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Nightwing Technologies, LLC is seeking a seasoned Software Developer (System Security) to advance OS-level security features for Windows, Linux, and VxWorks. You will work on deep OS internals, build detection and response mechanisms, and harden software against sophisticated threats.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in systems programming, expert C/C++, and hands-on debugging with gdb/WinDbg. The role requires US citizenship and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software development experience in systems-level programming.
• Expert-level C/C++ skills with memory management and low-level concepts.
• Strong OS-level systems programming experience and understanding of OS internals.
• Debugging complex systems issues with gdb/WinDbg/Visual Studio Debugger.
• Version control proficiency (Git) in a team environment.
• Self-directed learning and ability to independently master new technical domains.

Responsibilities

• Develop OS-level security features that operate deep within the OS.
• Build detection and response mechanisms against advanced threats.
• Implement cryptographic binding of software to trusted hardware.
• Create system lockdown capabilities to minimize attack surface.
• Integrate with Hardware Root of Trust (HRoT) solutions.
• Support multi-OS platforms (Windows, Linux, VxWorks).

Skills

C/C++

OS-level programming

Memory management

Debugging

Git

Self-learning

Tools

gdb

WinDbg

Visual Studio

Python

Batch

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.

Software Developer (System Security)

Join Nightwing's Products team and work at the cutting edge of multi-layered cyber resiliency solutions protecting mission-critical systems. Our software-based cyber resiliency solutions have been field-deployed since 2009, protecting the confidentiality and integrity of data and applications on Department of Defense weapon systems and platforms. Our threat model assumes adversaries have gained escalated privileges and bypassed traditional security controls—we build the last line of defense.

We're seeking a sharp, seasoned software developer to strengthen our flagship security products, which provide deep OS-level protections for Windows, Linux, and VxWorks environments. You'll develop security capabilities that lock down execution environments, protect applications and data at rest and during execution, and implement robust cyber detection and response mechanisms.

This role is ideal for an experienced systems programmer who wants to dive deep into operating system internals and low-level security engineering. While you don't need to be a kernel developer today, you should be excited about becoming one and have the foundation to get there quickly.

Security Clearance:

Must meet the requirements to obtain and maintain a Secret government security clearance

U.S. Citizenship is required. Qualified applicants may be subject to a security investigation and must meet minimum qualifications for access to classified information.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional software development experience in systems-level programming
• Expert-level C/C++ skills with a deep understanding of memory management, pointers, and low-level programming concepts
• Strong OS-level systems programming experience - you've built more than desktop applications; you understand how the OS actually works under the hood
• Debugging complex systems issues - comfortable using tools like gdb, WinDbg, Visual Studio Debugger, or similar to diagnose crashes, memory corruption, and system-level problems
• Version control proficiency (Git) in a team environment
• Self-directed learning ability - proven track record of independently mastering new technical domains

What Sets Qualified Candidates Apart:

• Experience working close to the OS: kernel modules, device drivers, system services, OS internals projects, or security tools
• Background in security-sensitive code: anti-malware, EDR, security monitoring, or exploit mitigation
• Understanding of operating system concepts: process/thread management, memory management, I/O systems, interrupt handling
• Assembly language experience (x86_64, ARM) - reading and debugging at the instruction level
• Experience with scripting languages (Python, Batch) for automation and testing
• Familiarity with security concepts: cryptography, threat modeling, attack surfaces
• Knowledge of boot processes, firmware, or hardware security (TPM, Secure Boot, UEFI)
• Understanding of Linux Driver Model and/or Windows driver models (WDM/WDF/WDK) - even if just conceptual

What Disqualifies Candidates:

• Web development, mobile apps, or enterprise application development
• High-level languages only (Java, C#, JavaScript, Python) without C/C++ depth
• Limited exposure to systems programming or OS-level concepts
• Primarily cloud services, DevOps, or infrastructure automation
• Less than 3-4 years of professional development experience

What You'll Work On:

• Developing and enhancing OS-level security features that operate deep within the operating system
• Building detection and response mechanisms to counter advanced persistent threats
• Implementing cryptographic binding of sensitive software to trusted hardware
• Creating system lockdown capabilities that minimize attack surface
• Integrating with Hardware Root of Trust (HRoT) solutions
• Protecting against sophisticated attacks from well-funded adversaries
• Supporting multi-OS platforms (Windows, Linux, VxWorks)
• Learning kernel programming and driver development on the job with mentorship from our senior engineers

Our Ideal Candidate:

You're a strong systems programmer who gets excited about understanding how things work at the lowest levels. You've probably compiled your own kernel, reverse-engineered a binary for fun, or spent late nights in a debu