Principal CNO Developer
Nightwing· Defense & Intelligence Services· Feb 19, 2026 · 8mo agoPosted 250 days ago
San Antonio, TX
In office
Full-time
Principal
$168K–$230K est.
10+ years exp
Before you apply
Ghost Signal:
Open since February 19, 2026 — 250 days, and still accepting applications.
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.
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.
Job Summary
Our team covers the full life cycle from emulation, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, and CNO/CNE tool development for various operating systems. Our mission covers a wide range of targets, anything from major consumer electronics to proprietary one-off systems. If it runs code, we have probably looked at it (or will soon.). In addition, the position will provide deliverables for real-world use in relatively short turn-around times. Projects will be undertaken in small teams with close coordination with customers to quickly enhance capabilities or resolve issues in existing tools for real-world applications. Working as part of a team you will also need to be familiar with source management tools such as GIT and team coordination tools like the Atlassian suite of work products. All candidates must be US citizens and be able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
As a Senior Principal Cyber Engineer at Nightwing CODEX, you will take on a hybrid role combining technical leadership, hands-on engineering, and client interaction. In this role, you will be responsible for leading technical efforts within our cyber engineering team, providing mentorship and guidance to junior engineers, and ensuring the success of our cybersecurity solutions. You will also travel to customer sites for key test events, coordinating efforts to assess and secure client systems in real-world scenarios.
This position is an onsite role.
Responsibilities to Anticipate
We seek a qualified engineer that can perform as a team member on activities involved with vulnerability research, reverse engineering, development, testing, maintenance, and modification of complex classified and unclassified software applications.
Technical Leadership: Serve as the technical lead on cyber engineering projects, guiding a team of engineers to ensure solutions meet project requirements and adhere to industry best practices.
Customer Engagement: Act as the primary technical point of contact with clients, translating complex technical requirements into actionable tasks and ensuring clear communication with stakeholders.
Travel for Test Events: Attend and participate in customer test events, performing on-site assessments, providing technical support, and ensuring the deployment of secure solutions in real-world scenarios.
Mentorship: Mentor junior engineers, providing technical guidance, training, and career development support to build a strong, knowledgeable team.
Documentation and Reporting: Develop and maintain technical documentation, project plans, and status reports, keeping clients and internal stakeholders informed of progress and issues.
Required Skills
TS/SCI Clearance Required
Typically requires a Bachelor’s in science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM preferred) and a minimum of 10 years of prior engineering experience or equivalent experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations
Experience with C/C on Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems
Experience with Python Practical knowledge of project execution
Ability to make enhancements to and develop software tools
Understanding of low-level programming concepts
Experience with source management tools
Familiarity with stack frames, calling conventions, and memory management Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP stacks, wire-level protocols, RF communications, BGP, routing protocols, or others)
May have practical knowledge of project management
Desired Skills
Experience developing and productizing N-days
Utilizing full system emulation for research and analysis
Experience with assembly language (x86/64, ARM, PPC, Mips, etc.)
Experience with Linux/Unix bootloaders (e.g. u-boot, aboot)
Experience with and knowledge of SELinux, cgroups, and other Linux permission models
Experience developing against or working with large opensource projects
What We Offer
Whether you’re just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs. Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care.
In addition to competitive salaries, CODEX offers excellent benefits for you and your family: competitive medical, dental and vision plans, child, elderly and dependent-care programs, mental health resources, tuition assistance, employee discount programs, 401k matching, flexible work schedules (depending on program), a peer recognition and reward system and performance-based bonuses.
Additional Information
Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.
ERIP Eligibility - This requisition is eligible for an employee referral award. ALL eligibility requirements must be met to receive the referral award.
#CODEX
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.
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.
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.
Application prep
Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.
Keywords to mirror
python
- Platform
- workday
- Effort
- long
Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401k
Wellness