Six Figure Work

Senior Principal Vulnerability Researcher

Nightwing

Company websitenightwing.com (Nightwing, opens in new tab)

Base salary $122K  to $253K

Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range in Annapolis Junction, MD

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  • LocationAnnapolis Junction, MD
  • WorkplaceWorkplace not stated
  • Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
  • Last checked (1 h ago) · observed since

About this job

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.

Use advanced systems to find zero-day (O-day) vulnerabilities. Responsible for analyzing, designing, and identifying programmatic behaviors. Have an opportunity to develop, test, and debug software applications. Research data and provide new design ideas for vulnerability techniques. Understands terminologies like debugging and fuzzing and applying it into your work.

Security Clearance 
TS/SCI with CI Poly (FSP is desired but not required) 

Required Skills

  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • At least 10 years of practical experience in a technology-related environment
  • We require you to have a solid understanding of software development and knowledge in any of the following: C, C++, or Python
  • Experience with program analysis, reverse engineering, and debugging tools (e.g., angr, BAP, IDA Pro, Binary Ninja, gdb, Ghidra, windbg)
  • Knowledge of Windows or Linux
  • Knowledge of Assembly (x86/x64)

Desired Skills

  • Understanding of OS Internals (any major OS)
  • Experience with exploit development, Hack The Box, etc…
  • Experience reading or writing assembly
  • Understanding of network protocols, application layer, be able to read/write socket code
  • Understanding of exploit mitigations such as DEP and ASLR

Relevant Certifications (Not Required): Relevant Cybersecurity Certifications (e.g. oscp, oscE, OSWP, OSEP, OSWE, OSED, OSEE, GPEN, GWAPT, GXPN, CISSP)

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.

Previously part of a leading Fortune 100 company and headquartered in Dulles, VA; Nightwing became independent in 2024 but continues to support the nation’s most mission impactful initiatives.
When we formed Nightwing, we brought a deep set of credentials and an unfaltering commitment to the mission. For over four decades, our team has been providing some of the world’s most technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence support services to the U.S. government on its most important missions.

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.

The salary associated with this position ($122,000-$253,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.

Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays and additional insurances.

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.
 

Source: Nightwing on Workday · View original posting (opens in new tab)

Pay in context

This role's base floor ($122,000) is above 36% of the 199 IT & Security roles in Maryland listed on this site; 7 others list the same floor. Their median floor is $131,000; the middle half runs from $119,662 to $150,000.

Only jobs on this site count, and each one publishes a base salary of $100,000 or more, so this compares six-figure jobs with each other, not with the whole market. Computed Nov 8, 2026.

This range next to 6 other live Nightwing roles with the nearest advertised base floor
Chart as a table
This range next to 6 other live Nightwing roles with the nearest advertised base floor
RolePublished base
Senior Principal Vulnerability Researcher (this listing)$122K - $253K
Windows Kernel Developer$122K - $253K
Software Engineer 3$122K - $253K
Windows Vulnerability Research$122K - $253K
Senior Program / Product Manager$122K - $253K
Systems Engineer/Technical Project Manager$122K - $253K
Cyber Host Forensic Analyst IV$122K - $253K

Same $100K to $400K scale as every card. All Nightwing roles · How to read the bar

Observed changes

  1. First observed on the employer's board
  2. Began meeting the published-salary criteria
Observed since
Employer-stated posting date
2025-12-22
Where this pay comes from

Location as the employer wrote it: Annapolis Junction, MD

The salary associated with this position ($122,000-$253,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualificatio

Method
Employer text, read with fixed rules and re-verified
Checked
Rule set
us-base-v2

The pay passage appears in the employer's own job text. Fixed, deterministic rules located it, and the passage below was checked against the stored copy of the posting.

What we verified

  • The pay figures come from the employer's own listing, quoted exactly above.
  • The pay is an annual base salary in US dollars with a minimum of at least $100,000.
  • The role was publicly listed on the employer's job board when last checked.

We do not verify what the employer will actually offer, whether the employer is still recruiting for the role, or anything beyond what the employer published. Full methodology.

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