Software Engineer (automated Program Analysis)

Software Engineer (Automated Program Analysis) - Job Description

Who We Are
Kudu Dynamics is a 100% employee-owned company, forged out of a decade of experience in computer network operations and staffed with talent who have built, overseen, and enhanced capabilities throughout the entire USG arsenal. Our team of hackers, engineers, makers, and shakers have experience spanning centuries of research, development, and operations missions - across desktop, mobile, IoT, and embedded platforms. Kudu Dynamics is uniquely qualified to anticipate tomorrow's threats and build the next generation of capabilities.

Job Description

Our organization is developing a cutting-edge automated program analysis platform aimed at identifying and remediating software vulnerabilities. Our product is a scalable distributed system designed around microservices and is built on technologies like PostgreSQL, S3, Kafka, MongoDB, and many other services.
We distribute our system as a cloud native application that runs on AWS as well as self-managed clouds for on-prem and offline deployments. Our solutions for automating vulnerability discovery and remediation leverages best-of-art techniques built on modern open source software and numerous KUDU proprietary technologies.

We are looking for a Software Engineer with strong backend development experience and a willingness to contribute across the software lifecycle-from design and development to deployment and operations support. While the position focuses on backend services, familiarity with frontend development is beneficial. You will collaborate with various teams, including R&D specialists in reverse engineering and vulnerability research, to ensure the platform effectively integrates novel analysis techniques.

Responsibilities:
Software Development:

• Design, implement, and maintain scalable backend microservices, primarily in Python
• Develop and integrate REST APIs and event-driven components for data exchange
• Ensure code quality, performance, and maintainability through best practices and testing
• Design and optimise application data storage and access using various databases technologies

Platform Integration

• Collaborate with research teams to incorporate advanced analysis techniques into the platform
• Develop E2E testing methodologies that are capable of validating a large complex system
• Integrate third-party or custom security tools within a cohesive product framework

Deployment & Operations

• Work with DevOps resources to build and maintain CI/CD pipelines (primarily GitLab)
• Package, deploy, and manage microservices on Kubernetes using IaC tools (e.g., Terraform, Helm)
• Support deployment in both on-prem and cloud environments

Collaboration & Communication

• Participate in Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning and retrospectives, using Jira
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including frontend developers, security researchers, and operations engineers
• Provide technical guidance and support to peers, contributing to a culture of knowledge sharing

Security & Compliance

• Develop features with security in mind, adhering to best practices and frameworks
• Assist in meeting compliance and authorization requirements for US government and commercial deployments

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance
• Professional experience in backend software development (ideally mid-level to senior)
• Solid knowledge of Python (or comparable language) and server-side frameworks
• Familiarity with microservices architecture and distributed systems
• Experience working with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL)
• Understanding of CI/CD processes and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills; able to work independently and in teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to automated program analysis, vulnerability research, or reverse engineering concepts
• Cloud deployment and/or Kubernetes experience
• Some familiarity with frontend technologies for occasional full-stack contributions particularly using TypeScript and Vue.js
• Prior experience working in a cybersecurity role
• Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to emerging technologies
• Familiarity with SQLAlchemy and PostgreSQL, Redpanda, FastAPI, and Pydantic.
• Software design and implementation experience with event-modeling and data integration as it relates to distributed systems.

Benefits We Provide

• Equity at a company that is doing dynamic, fun, meaningful, and interesting work.
• A flexible work schedule, with the option to work remotely most days, if that's your style.
• Your own yearly discretionary budget to buy the things that make you happy.
• In addition to highly competitive salaries, we offer premium healthcare options, 401k matching, and an annual pass to a swim in the bonus pool. We also offer four weeks of paid time off and 11 federal holidays to utilize whenever you want throughout the year.
• Awesome, enthusiastic co-workers and a company culture that promotes a jerk- free environment. Rattle the windows with the company band, participate in board game or movie nights, and help balance out the scotch vs. bourbon ratio in the office.

Kudu provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Pay Range: $155,000 - $175,000 per year