Vulnerability Researcher/Reverse Engineer/CNO Developer (Onsite)

Nightwing; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Educational assistance

Job summary

Nightwing is looking for Vulnerability Researchers in San Antonio, Texas. Candidates will work in small teams analyzing systems and developing security techniques. Ideal applicants should have experience in C/C++ and Python, with a BS/MS in a related field or equivalent experience. The role requires a TS/SCI clearance and knowledge of OS internals and network protocols. Benefits include competitive pay and flexible work schedules.

Qualifications

• Candidates must develop and defeat new security techniques.
• Analyze systems to understand functionality and behavior under stress.
• Experience reading or writing assembly is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Work in small teams to tackle complex cybersecurity challenges.
• Write code to audit and dissect systems.
• Coordinate closely with customers on projects.

Skills

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

Experience with C/C++

Experience with Python

Education

BS/MS in a technical discipline (equivalent work experience considered)

Tools

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Binary Ninja

gdb

WinDbg

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.

Our team has over four decades of experience delivering advanced cyber and intelligence support to the U.S. government on its most important missions.

We value collaboration and teamwork; you will work alongside talented individuals passionate about solving complex problems and delivering exceptional results for our clients.

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, developing and defeating new and advanced security techniques. Projects are undertaken in small teams with close coordination with customers. Engineers write code, spend time dissecting systems, and may study disassembly or write Python to audit C++ code.

Required Skills

• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government TS/SCI Clearance
• Experience with C/C++
• Experience with Python
• BS/MS in a technical discipline (equivalent work experience considered)
• Four 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

BS/MS in a technical discipline (equivalent work experience considered)

Benefits

We offer a total rewards package that includes competitive compensation, healthcare, wellness, retirement, work/life benefits, career development, recognition programs, parental leave (including paternal), flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance, and child/adult backup care.

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

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.