AI Applications Engineer

Bitwise; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 198,000 - 233,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top salaries

PTO flexibility 3–5 weeks

11 federal holidays paid

2 snow days paid

401(k) company match

Education assistance

Employer-paid insurance

Job summary

Bitwise is seeking a Software Engineer for Tools and Applications to build and maintain AI-enabled tools used by a broad customer base. The role emphasizes hands-on software engineering at the AI infrastructure center, delivering secure, scalable solutions and engaging directly with customers to shape requirements.

You will work with Python or OO languages, leverage LLMs in code workflows, and apply SRE practices to production systems. A TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Python or another OO language; strong software fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience with LLMs in code solution workflows.
• Familiarity with UI/UX principles and modern UI toolchains.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly and adapt to change.
• Experience engaging with customers to elicit requirements and deliver solutions.
• Experience supporting production software with SRE practices.
• 3 years of experience with a B.S. in a technical discipline, or 7 years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain tools and applications for AI-enabled workflows.
• Collaborate with AI infrastructure teams and customers to translate needs into software solutions.
• Ensure production systems are healthy, secure, and scalable.
• Modify open-source components to fit customer use cases.
• Stay sharp and drive loosely defined problems to well-engineered outcomes.

Skills

Python or OO language

LLMs in code workflow

UI/UX awareness

Learn new technologies quickly

Customer engagement

SRE best practices

Continuous improvement

Education

BS in technical discipline or 7 years experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Kubernetes

Helm

Argo CD

CI/CD frameworks

Docker

OpenWebUI

AWS or cloud providers

Job description

Software Engineer – Tools and Applications

An active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required for this role

Bitwise is a leading provider of mission-focused intelligence solutions that advance national security for the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. We're a small and growing company, so you can expect to hop in on the ground floor with us and be a consequential member of the team. You'll be more than a contract performer for us — you'll also be asked for ideas to improve our company and improve your career, and you'll contribute to our team culture. We value growth and community above almost all else, so we gather regularly for game nights, happy hours, tech talks, and plenty more. We think you'll like it here!

Remember, Bitwise is not a cult.

What We Look For

Bitwise hires talented engineers who are driven by purpose and who value a culture of technical excellence, growth, and overall wellness. We deliver new and innovative intelligence solutions to our customers at the very forefront of our country's national security missions. And we do it every single day. Our work matters, and so will you.

We ask that every new hire be able to:

• Contribute meaningful thought leadership — if not right away, over time
• Interact with our customers and earn their confidence in your abilities
• Be detailed, even if that means taking a little more time to get it right
• Contribute their ideas and ideals to improve all aspects of our company
• Allow us to invest in their education so we both grow together

We're building next-generation AI infrastructure, and we need a software engineer who's ready to be hands-on at the center of it. In this role, you'll help develop and maintain the tools and applications that let a broad customer base harness AI capabilities seamlessly and efficiently. You'll work alongside an AI infrastructure team, contribute to a growing ecosystem of AI-enabled applications, and engage directly with customers to understand their needs and turn them into real solutions.

This isn't a static environment — mission needs evolve quickly and new technology emerges constantly. You'll need to stay sharp, pick up new skills on the fly, and have the confidence to take loosely defined problems and drive them to well-engineered solutions. You'll also modify open-source software to fit unique customer use cases and help keep production systems healthy, available, and secure.

If you're energized by working at the intersection of software engineering and AI — and you want your work to matter — this is your seat at the table.

Requirements

• Proficiency with Python or another object-oriented programming language
• Knowledge of and hands-on experience using LLMs as part of a code solution workflow
• Familiarity with UI/UX principles
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly and adapt to shifting requirements
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to ask questions and engage with stakeholders
• Experience regularly engaging with customers to elicit requirements and develop solutions
• 3 years of experience with a B.S. in a technical discipline, or 7 years of experience in lieu of a degree
• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph
• Experience with LLM UI open-source software such as OpenWebUI
• Familiarity with AWS or other cloud service providers
• Experience with Kubernetes and Helm
• Familiarity with Argo CD and/or other CI/CD frameworks
• Experience supporting production software using Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) best practices
• Experience with Docker and containerization

Benefits at Bitwise

• Top salaries because we're top performers
• Pick your PTO — Everyone values time and money differently, so we give you the flexibility to choose between 3 and 5 weeks of PTO with a corresponding adjustment to your pay. Your choice, your balance.
• All 11 federal holidays, paid!
• Up to 2 snow days, paid!
• We'll quadruple (4x!) the first 6% you contribute to your 401(k), giving you up to a 24% company match. Contributing less than 6%? Unclaimed matches come right back to you as extra income, giving you a guaranteed 24% that goes to your retirement, to your paycheck, or both. C'mon now!
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances. That's a lot. Already covered on health insurance? No problem — we'll trade you this benefit for a boost to your salary instead.
• $5,250 annual education assistance for training, certifications, tuition, and even student loan repayments.
• Spot bonuses for obtained certifications, customer recognition, and just about anything else that makes us go "Hot damn"!. We hope to say that many times about you.

Salary Range

$197,500 – $232,500

This range includes our flex income and depends upon your annual work hours.

Salary is determined on an individual basis following the interview process and considering various factors such as years of experience, skills, education, and certifications.

What to Expect After Applying

You'll get an email from us right away to acknowledge your application. After that, we'll:

• Send over additional company materials for you to review
• Schedule a video call to talk about you, our company, and your place in it
• Craft a delightful offer package for you and record a video walkthrough
• Work closely with you through onboarding. We'll keep it joyful and easy.

Bitwise is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Compensation for this position, including all compensation options, will be determined on an individual basis following the interview process.

If you require accommodations at any stage of the application or interview process, please reach out to us.