Kernel Developer - Early Career through Mid-Level (Secret Clearance or Higher Required to Apply) - FUTURE NEED

24 Dec 2025
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43.27-69.71 per hour | Vienna, VA, USA | Hourly | Software Development | Full Time FUTURE NEED - Not a current vacancy. If you apply, this could be a multi-year process. Location: Vienna, VA Description: Developing at the kernel level to interface directly with various sensors and hardware. Provide support in the form of driver module development, scripting, debugging, and value-added software development expertise. Maintain existing software and develop new software to customer specifications. Developers may work with a variety of kernels, including Linux Kernel, Darwin, or NT Kernel. Regardless of whether you are applying to a software developer or reverse engineer position, if your application is approved, we will test you on both skills as part of our hiring process. At this time, the majority of our open positions require an aptitude in both domains. Core Position Requirements:

US Citizenship required (no exceptions)

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or Electrical/Computer Engineering or Math A minor in one of the above degree types is also acceptable if the Bachelor's is a hard STEM degree.

Must have 1-5 years of post-graduation experience performed as a kernel developer.

Technical Requirements :

Must possess strong software development skills

Experience developing in C/C+

OS internals knowledge with at least one of the following: BSD/Linux/UNIX, Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android

Knowledge of user space APIs

Capable of debugging software applications

Able to gather testable software requirements

Able to participate in the design of new software applications

Familiar with maintainable software processes, including: software documentation, source code versioning, unit testing

Able to convey technical topics verbally, in source code comments, and documentation

Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment with ever-changing requirements.

Desirable:

Experienced in kernel development

Knowledge of UNIX-based kernel internals (process scheduler, memory management, concurrency/synchronization, memory allocation, file systems) and networking or storage subsystems architecture

Strong debugging skills in kernel context

Experience in reverse engineering in various architectures (i.e. ARM, x86)

Familiarity with ARM Assembly

Demonstrated experience writing in Python

Key Qualities:

Self-motivated, detail-oriented, strong work ethic

Able to quickly adapt to new situations and problems

Able to operate in a mission-critical and time-sensitive environments

Able to work in a team environment

Remote work is not an option

Benefits:

Mission focused work environment

Subsidized medical/dental/vision insurance

HSA contributions

401k matching

Holiday and Paid Time Off (PTO)

Monthly WAN parties & quarterly events

Flexible hours

Remote work is not an option. We do offer relocation assistance. Please see our careers page or inquire with your recruiter about the terms and conditions.

Salary and other Compensation:

The hourly pay range for this position is $43.27 - $61.71

The salary range for this position is subject not only to the hire's skills, education, expertise, and years of experience, but also to features of the final position offered to the hire: including, but not limited to the location of the position, clearance required for the position, and the contract associated with the position. See our Perks & Benefits page for a general description of benefits and other potential compensation benefits: https://www.ciphertechsolutions.com/careers/perks-benefits/

About Us:

At Cipher Tech Solutions, Inc. (Cipher Tech), we take great pride in supporting some of the most mission critical work in the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. The majority of our company is comprised of extremely talented software developers who write production tools which directly support one of two missions: digital forensics and malware reverse engineering.

Digital forensics is the practice of extracting and processing evidence from computers, phones, tablets, cameras, flash-drives, and just about any other form of digital media. The results of our work are then used to support federal and military law enforcement, counterintelligence, and counter terrorist activities.

Malware reverse engineering is the practice of analyzing malicious code. The goal of a reverse engineer is to understand how the malicious code works and determine facts such as:

How did it infect the victim's computer What kind of information it is seeking to steal How is it communicating with the author (actor) Who that actor might be.

Vaccination Notice:

Please be aware that you are applying for a position to work as a federal contractor. As such, Cipher Tech will require, and your employment will be subject to, such vaccinations as are required by federal, state, and local law requirements.

Important Security Clearance Information:

Be aware that you are applying for a job that requires a U.S. Government Security Clearance.

The U.S. government will not issue security clearances to recent users of illegal drugs. On your application to us, you must acknowledge that you have not engaged in any illegal drug use within the past twelve months (illegal drug use includes, but is not limited to, the use of illegal substances, the misuse of prescriptions, the misuse of over-the-counter substances, and the use of medical or recreational marijuana that may be deemed legal at the state level but is still considered illegal by the federal government). NOTE: CIPHER TECH WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WITH A DISABILITY, INCLUDING ILLEGAL DRUG USERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY SOUGHT PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT FOR A DRUG PROBLEM.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

Cipher Tech is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We value diversity and inclusion, not only for the sake of compliance, but also because diversity of thought drives progress and improves performance. All hiring and employment decisions are made on the basis of business requirements, performance, and merit-with no regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, or other protected status.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Full-time
  • ID: #53147838
  • State: Virginia Vienna 22180 Vienna USA
  • City: Vienna
  • Salary: USD TBD TBD
  • Showed: 2024-12-24
  • Deadline: 2025-02-23
  • Category: Et cetera
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