Senior Principal Software Developer (System Security)

Nightwing Intelligence Solutions • Huntsville, AL

6d

About The Position

Nightwing is seeking a seasoned systems software developer to join its Products team and strengthen security products that provide OS-level protections for Windows, Linux, and VxWorks. The products provide cyber resiliency for mission-critical systems and have protected Department of Defense weapon systems and platforms since 2009. The work addresses threats in which adversaries have escalated privileges and bypassed traditional security controls.

The developer will create security capabilities that constrain execution environments, protect applications and data at rest and during execution, and detect and respond to cyber threats. This role involves developing low-level security features and requires a strong systems-programming foundation, interest in operating system internals, and readiness to grow into kernel development.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens and meet the requirements to obtain and maintain a Secret government security clearance. Qualified applicants may be subject to a security investigation and must meet minimum qualifications for access to classified information. The position typically requires a university degree or equivalent experience and at least 10 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and at least 7 years of experience.

Nightwing became independent in 2024 after being part of a Fortune 100 company. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, it provides cyber, data operations, systems integration, and intelligence support services to U.S. government customers. The company highlights collaboration, teamwork, mission impact, and opportunities to learn from experienced engineers and develop expertise in operating system internals, kernel development, and low-level security.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of professional software development experience in systems-level programming.
• Expert-level C/C++ skills, including deep understanding of memory management, pointers, and low-level programming concepts.
• Expert OS-level systems programming experience beyond desktop application development, with an understanding of how operating systems work internally.
• Experience debugging complex systems issues using tools such as gdb, WinDbg, Visual Studio Debugger, or similar.
• Proficiency with Git in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technical domains independently.
• Must meet requirements to obtain and maintain a Secret government security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Typically, a university degree or equivalent experience and at least 10 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and at least 7 years of experience.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance OS-level security features that operate deep within operating systems.
• Build detection and response mechanisms to counter advanced persistent threats.
• Implement cryptographic binding of sensitive software to trusted hardware.
• Create system lockdown capabilities that minimize the attack surface.
• Integrate with Hardware Root of Trust (HRoT) solutions.
• Protect systems against sophisticated attacks from well-funded adversaries.
• Support software across Windows, Linux, and VxWorks platforms.

Benefits

• Access to cutting-edge tools, training, and technologies.
• Opportunities to learn from senior engineers with over 15 years of experience in mission-critical system protection.
• Opportunities to develop expertise in Linux and Windows internals, kernel development, and low-level security.
• Recognition for exceptional results.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed