Android Developer (TS/SCI)

Description

The DarkStar Group is seeking an Android Developer with a TS/SCI clearance (you can join the project with a TS or higher clearance and over time will be upgraded to TS/SCI Poly applicable to this customer) to join one of our top projects in Dulles, VA.  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 writes CNO software for mobile devices (both Android and iOS) as part of a larger program providing multi-platform support of ongoing operational missions. On some projects in the IC/DoD, you don't see how your work is being used.  This project is very different - you get to see the software you write get put into action.  You know who is using it, on which missions, and what impact your work is having. You have a ringside seat to the action. The work is very close to the devices and the hardware/software interface. You'll find mobile devices, embedded systems, linux kernels, OS internals, networking, etc.  Languages used depend on the specific operational mission being supported and often include, C, C , Python, and JavaScript.  Overall, there is room for a LOT of creativity in how to solve problems. The team is exceptional - both the government staffers and the contractors are highly-skilled, and the team is unusually well-managed.  It is fast-paced, with turnaround times being measured in weeks, but without the knee-jerk changes of focus that some projects have. The culture is about doing high-quality work that leads to successful missions: each Engineer's work is visible, so you won't work with any slackers. On-the-job learning is encouraged: as an example, a strong low-level Software Engineer joined the team without much mobile experience, and the team invested time and energy to spin them up on Android and iOS internals so they could become a strong contributor. The team regularly adds CNO Tool Developers, O.S. Internals Developers, Vulnerability Researchers, Reverse Engineers, Mobile Exploitation experts, and Test Engineers with experience developing custom test automation scripts for mobile devices.  

Work on this program takes place in the Dulles, VA area (we cannot support remote work) and requires a TS clearance, (you can join the project with a TS or higher clearance and over time will be upgraded to TS/SCI Poly applicable to this customer).

THE ROLE

• The DarkStar Group, A GRVTY Company, has an exciting new employment opportunity open for an Android Developer to join our team to solve real-time cyber challenges for the IC. We are looking for technical professionals who enjoy working on a mission-focused team that works very closely with our end users.
• Duties include: designing custom software tools and techniques for the Android platform; responsibility for end-to-end design and development of custom software; diagnosing and debugging issues using both COTS and GOTS tools; supporting an environment that requires one to have a firm understanding of how networks operate; developing documentation pertinent to operating and supporting developed software and techniques; mentoring and leading junior-level developers to accomplish mission objectives; and solving real-time cyber challenges.

Required Skills

• Development, testing and debugging Python and C
• Experience in UNIX applications using make files or comparable build environments, mission-applicable platforms.
• Programming CNO tools and techniques
• Network sockets programming and expert packet-level understanding of IP, TCP, and application-level protocols.
• Tracing code execution in a debugger (WinDbg/gdb/IDA Pro). 
• Reverse engineering native binaries.
• Developing proof-of-concept exploit software
• Knowledge of Unix kernel internals, including the OS runtime linker/loader, object file formats (e.g., ELF), file system internals (e.g., NTFS, ext2, btrfs), OS-specific mandatory and discretionary access control mechanisms, and process and thread APIs and data structures
• Understanding of security protection mechanisms (ASLR, DEP, NX), how to defeat them, and how to detect a defeat
• Working with version control software such as git, Gitlab, etc.

Desired Skills (Optional)

• Experience with native-level mobile development
• Experience with vulnerability analysis
• Experience with assembly, preferably ARM
• Understanding of mobile security protection mechanisms, such as SELinux and application sandboxing
• Objective-C, Swift or C programming
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment with ever-changing requirements.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science preferred

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. 

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