Defensive Exploit Software Developer
At a glance
Mid-level Software Engineering role at Leidos. Lawton · full-time · $57,850–$104,575 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Develop software or methods to probe researched network protocols, detect attacks and document their effects
- Investigate systems with Red Team colleagues, examining code and building tools for testing
- Use network forensics with internal specialists to understand possible effects on customer products
What you bring
- A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering or another listed discipline
- Practical Wireshark experience and cybersecurity knowledge, with Python or similar language skills to produce a prototype on request
- Linux and Bash scripting experience, plus familiarity with security tools, protocols or CTF events
- U.S. citizenship and eligibility to secure and retain a TS/SCI clearance
Who this fits
This role suits you if you enjoy researching systems, analyzing code and creating tools to test vulnerabilities. The team is based in Lawton, Oklahoma, and customer-site travel can take up to forty percent of your time. An active TS/SCI clearance is preferred.
From the employer
Leidos Dynetics is seeking a Defensive Exploit Software Developer to work with a diverse, highly skilled team to develop unique solutions for Cyber, EW, and PNT threats against US weapon systems. Our products are responsible for alerting our varied array of customers of potential cyber and EW attacks by creative Adversaries highly skilled at attacking. With that problem set in mind, our products need to be developed by equally creative minds that enjoy digging, researching, programming, questioning, and generally learning all they can do to do those exact things the Adversaries would.
Since those adversaries have a board scope, our approach to developing detection measures and mitigations need to be as well. This position will be working with a Red Team concentrating proving out vulnerabilities through tools developed internally by this team to help feed the detection engineering team to protect systems on the tactical edge.
This is a full-time position with the Leidos Cyber Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA) team that is based in Lawton, OK, and will require the candidate to be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Clearance.
Primary Responsibilities
- Aiding in the development of software and/or techniques in the exploitation of researched network protocol, as well as detection of, identification of and results of those attacks.
- Working with Red Team members in research of systems, contributing through code analysis as well as creating test tools.
- Working with internal experts to perform network forensics to understand possible impacts on customer end-products/solutions.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in computer science, computer engineering, cybersecurity, cyber engineering or similar degree
- Experience using Wireshark
- A good understanding of Cybersecurity
- Experience with quick protype languages such as Python, to the level of being able to write one on request
- Experience with Linux and Bash scripting
- Exposure to security tools, protocols, or capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions
- Ability to travel to customer sites up to 40% of time
- US Citizenship required
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI Clearance.
- Certifications such as Pentest+, Network+, Security+, CySA+, Linux+
- Understanding of basic security concepts (CIA triad, authentication, encryption, etc.)
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
October 7, 2026For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $57,850.00 - $104,575.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.