Software Developer (System Security)

Nightwing Intelligence Solutions•Huntsville, AL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Must meet the requirements to obtain and maintain a Secret government security clearance
U.S. Citizenship is required.
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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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