Senior CNO Exploit Developer

X8 is seeking a Senior CNO Exploit Developer to support specialized military cyber operations on the PURPLEPIRANHA contract. This hands-on role focuses on transforming proof-of-concept exploits and disclosed vulnerabilities into reliable, operationally ready capabilities., * Engineer, stabilize, and productize proof-of-concept exploits and CVE-based vulnerabilities for operational use.

• Analyze exploit behavior and improve reliability, repeatability, and suitability for live infrastructure.
• Collaborate with vulnerability researchers to understand proof-of-concept findings, constraints, and technical details.
• Work directly with mission stakeholders to validate that developed capabilities meet operational requirements.
• Reverse-engineer compiled binaries and source code to identify vulnerabilities and support exploit development., * Build technically challenging capabilities supporting specialized national defense cyber missions.
• Work closely with vulnerability researchers and mission stakeholders on operationally relevant engineering.

Computer Security, Proof of Concept, Military Operations, Reliability Engineering, Analysis Skills, Operations Planning, Reverse Engineering, Top Secret Clearance, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), Computer Science, * Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph; CI polygraph required for this requisition.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Assurance, Information Security Systems Engineering, or a related discipline, and 8+ years of experience.
• At least 5 years of exploit development or Computer Network Operations (CNO) tool development experience.
• At least 2 years of programming experience with languages or low-level technologies such as Python, C, C++, or x86 assembly.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze proof-of-concept exploits or CVEs and engineer stable, repeatable capabilities.
• Extensive experience reverse-engineering compiled binaries and source code to identify vulnerabilities.
• Experience developing software for CNO analytic or cloud-related projects.

WHAT DESIRED SKILLS YOU’LL BRING

• Subject-matter expertise in exploit development and CVE-based vulnerability research.
• 10+ years of CNO tool development experience.

• $150,000+ (depending on experience and qualifications)
• Bonus potential
• 401(k) match - 10%
• Paid time off - 24 PTO days and 13 holidays
• Medical benefits - 100% employee, 80% dependent; $1,000 company-paid HSA contribution