Software Engineering Intern

About the Role

Owl Cyber Defense is seeking an Engineering Intern to gain hands-on experience developing secure, Linux-based systems. This role involves participating in real-world software development cycles under the guidance of experienced engineers, contributing to national and enterprise-level cybersecurity.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, development, and testing of secure software components in Java, Rust, or Python.
• Collaborate with software and systems engineers to integrate code into Linux-based environments.
• Participate in code reviews, debugging, and test execution using Owl’s development standards.
• Support development of secure data transfer software aligned with STIG/CIS best practices.
• Gain exposure to SELinux configuration, systemd unit creation, and secure file handling.
• Develop and execute unit and functional tests to verify software performance.
• Use version control tools (Git) and scripting (Python/Bash) to automate development and test workflows.
• Participate in agile workflows, contributing ideas for process improvement and feature enhancement.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Coursework or project experience in software development and Linux/Unix programming.
• Familiarity with at least one major programming language (Java, Python, or Rust).
• Basic understanding of networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP/IP).
• Exposure to software version control (Git) and debugging tools (gdb).
• Candidates must be able to obtain/maintain a US Government security clearance.
• Interest in secure coding, operating systems, and embedded systems.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Eagerness to learn from mentors and collaborate in a technical environment.
• Adaptable and organized in managing multiple tasks.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.

Hourly pay rate: $20.00/hr - $35.00/hr USD.