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Senior Kernel Developer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Senior Cyber Security Analyst

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$103K - $133K/yr

... kernel-level processing to detect and report on significant kernel events such as root kits, hooked ... Preferred : • Programming skills using scripting languages such as Perl, Python, or Bash. • ...

Senior Cyber Security Analyst

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$103K - $133K/yr

... kernel-level processing to detect and report on significant kernel events such as root kits, hooked ... Preferred : • Programming skills using scripting languages such as Perl, Python, or Bash. • ...

Deep understanding of operating systems internals and kernel-level programming * Expertise in exploitation techniques, including buffer overflows, heap spraying, privilege escalation, and more

Showing results 41-60

Senior Kernel Developer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$28.3K

$90.9K

$185.2K

How much do senior kernel developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior kernel developer in Washington, DC is $90,933.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $116,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Kernel Developer vs Kernel Engineer?

AspectSenior Kernel DeveloperKernel Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Computer Science, experience in kernel developmentSimilar credentials, often with specialized Linux or OS certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch and development, debugging, code optimizationDesign, implementation, testing of kernel modules and components
Industry UsageTech companies, hardware manufacturers, OS developersEmbedded systems, OS vendors, hardware integration

Both roles require strong knowledge of operating systems and kernel architecture. A Senior Kernel Developer typically focuses on advanced development and optimization, while a Kernel Engineer emphasizes designing and implementing kernel components. The roles often overlap but differ mainly in scope and focus within kernel development projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Kernel Developer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Kernel Developer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Kernel Developer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Senior Kernel Developer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Kernel Developer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Kernel Developer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Senior Kernel Developer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,933 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Senior CNO Developer (Onsite)

Nightwing

Annapolis Junction, MD • On-site

$128K - $176K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Nightwing is a company that provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration, and intelligence mission support services. They are seeking a Senior CNO Developer who will lead the design, development, testing, and maintenance of advanced CNO capabilities, while also providing mentorship to junior team members.
Responsibilities:
• Take a leading role in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining advanced CNO capabilities to fulfill high-priority mission requirements.
• Contribute technical expertise and provide mentorship to junior team members.
• Ensure tools are ready for operational success.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s Degree and six (6) years of experience OR minimum ten (10) years of experience in relevant field
• Minimum eight (8) years of experience programming in Assembly, C, C++, Java, Perl, and/or Python
• Minimum seven (7) years of experience developing in one (1) or more of the following: Windows applications using Visual Studio or .NET environments; UNIX applications using make files or comparable build environments
• Minimum six (6) years of experience with programming CNO tools and techniques
• Minimum five (5) years of experience managing and supervising teams in support of Government CNO capability development
• Minimum five (5) years of experience programming CNO tools for the US Government
• Minimum four (4) years of experience programming techniques to evade host and/or network-based IDS
• Minimum four (4) years’ experience in network sockets programming and application-level protocols
Preferred:
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, and/or Assembly, along with scripting languages (e.g., Bash, PowerShell)
• Deep understanding of operating systems internals and kernel-level programming
• Expertise in exploitation techniques, including buffer overflows, heap spraying, privilege escalation, and more
• Knowledge of modern encryption protocols, defense evasion strategies, and network interception
• Understanding of network protocols and sockets, common CNO techniques, exploitation mitigations such as DEP and ASLR, and modern software engineering concepts
• Experience with reverse engineering frameworks (e.g., IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg) and disassemblers/debuggers
• Experience with project management best practices such as Scrum and Kanban methodologies
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) along with understanding of basic configuration management principles
Company:
Nightwing provides cyber, data operations, systems integration, and intelligence services for government and commercial customers. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in Sterling, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.