Well, yes, I think so? Cobb worked for Cobol. He has used the same device since then. It is probably very expensive, so it wouldn't surprise me if they used the same one. Cobb was no civilian, though. We are not told whether he worked for Cobol back then, too, but if he did, that's how he got the device. Cobb was offered the job (which one?) because he is the most skilled extractor (which is why Cobol hired him) and because he did good on Saito's audition on the train, even though "it was obvious". There are many holes in the story. Not holes that can't be filled in, but holes created by having to limit the length of a movie.