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Python CNO Developer (TS/SCI + Poly)

The DarkStar Group, LLC
Annapolis, MD Full Time
POSTED ON 12/4/2025 CLOSED ON 1/3/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Python CNO Developer (TS/SCI + Poly) position at The DarkStar Group, LLC?

Description
The DarkStar Group, a GRVTY Company is seeking a Python CNO Developer with a TS/SCI Poly clearance (applicable to this customer) to join one of our top projects in Annapolis Junction, MD.  Below is an overview of the project, as well as information on our company, our benefits, and our $25,000 referral program.

THE PROJECT
The DarkStar Group's team conducts R&D and prototyping of new CNO capabilities for our customer.  The work involves Vulnerability Research, Exploit Development, CNO tool development and enhancement, and infrastructure support (DevOps) for access operations.  Platforms involved include iOS, Android, MacOS, Linux, Windows, and other environments.  This is some of the most impactful work in the Intelligence Community, with the new capabilities developed by this team getting rapidly deployed and into the hands of users. One of the best things about this project is the customer.  They give Engineers huge latitude in choosing programming languages and technologies, and they encourage exploration of new tech.  There is almost no distinction here between blue-badgers and green-badgers: the team is highly-competent, and the Branch and Section Leads do an excellent job of shielding the engineers from any organizational politics.  This team regularly needs Vulnerability Researchers, Exploit Developers, CNO Tool Developers, Reverse Engineers, and other types of technologists.  While roles open and close, the program Lead's attitude is "find us good people; we'll find good places for them".

Work on this program takes place in various locations at and around the Ft. Meade, MD area (we cannot support remote work) and requires a TS/SCI Polygraph clearance (acceptable to this customer).

THE ROLE

  • The candidate will join a team of engineers designing and developing a test-framework for end-to-end testing in support of the Customer's mission requirements.

Required Skills

  • Bachelor degree and four (4) years’ experience or minimum eight (8) years’ experience in relevant field,
  • Minimum six (6) years’ experience programming in Assembly, C, C , Java, Perl, and/or Python,
  • Minimum five (5) years’ 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; mission-applicable platforms,
  • Minimum four (4) years of experience with programming CNO tools and techniques,
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience programming CNO tools for the US Government,
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience programming techniques to evade host and or network-based IDS,
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience developing packet-level programs, and
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience in network sockets programming.
  • Experience with designing and writing code in Python,
  • Deep understanding of unit testing methodologies and tools (e.g., unittest, pytest, mock), 
  • Experience integrating test frameworks with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitLab CI, Jenkins),
  • Knowledge of CNO concepts and techniques, 
  • Ability to interface with code written in C/C or assembly (e.g., using ctypes, CFFI, or SWIG) to enable Python-driven testing of native modules,
  • Strong skills in debugging and diagnosing test failures
  • Experience with project management best practices such as Scrum and Kanban methodologies, and
  • Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) along with understanding of basic configuration management principles.

About The DarkStar Group

Our Company

The DarkStar Group is a small business that solves BIG problems. We're one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the US, and our engineers and scientists support the most critical national security missions in Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. Data Science, Software Engineering, Cloud/AWS Infrastructure, and Cyber/CNO are our core areas of expertise. We offer interesting and important work, job security, some of the best and most flexible benefits you'll find in the IC, and salaries so strong that they'll likely surprise you. 

Our Benefits

The DarkStar Group offers exceptional compensation and benefits:

  • very strong salaries;
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and all dependents;
  • the ability to get increased salary if you don't need medical/dental/vision;
  • 100% company-paid disability and life insurance benefits;
  • a generously-funded HSA;
  • an 8% 401(k) contribution; 
  • 31 days of PTO/holidays to start (more with tenure);
  • the ability to flex time across pay periods without using your PTO;
  • a generous training budget;
  • $25,000 employee referral bonuses;
  • business development / growth incentives; and
  • top notch company swag.

** We have a huge growth opportunity, so we are offering up to a $25,000 reward for anyone new you refer whom we hire. **

The DarkStar Group, A GRVTY Company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 
 
Anyone requiring reasonable accommodations should email ds_recruiting@grvty.com or call 703-544-7930 with requested details.  A member of the HR team will respond to your request within 2 business days. 

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

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Salary.com Estimation for Python CNO Developer (TS/SCI + Poly) in Annapolis, MD
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