Application Developer (AD), Level 3

Bitwise; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 288,000 - 338,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top salaries

PTO options 3–5 weeks

11 federal holidays

Snow days (paid)

Job summary

Bitwise is seeking a senior Software Engineer who will work at Fort Meade to design, develop, prototype, and integrate mission-focused software that supports national security missions.

You will collaborate with analysts, operators, data scientists, and fellow engineers to deliver real solutions, while engaging in peer reviews and rigorous development practices. A TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required.

Qualifications

• 12 years of experience with a B.S., or 10 years with an M.S. in a relevant field; up to 4 years additional software engineering experience may substitute for a bachelor's.
• Proficiency in C, C++, Python, and/or Assembly; you will produce and modify software using these languages.
• Deep understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP) and hands-on experience analyzing network traffic with Wireshark.
• Experience providing support for fielded software systems.
• Familiarity with version control systems including Git and Subversion.
• Working knowledge of Jira and Confluence.
• Ability to derive, document, and analyze requirements and translate them into working solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, prototyping, and integrate solutions for mission-centric results.
• Collaborate with analysts, operators, data scientists, and software engineers to support projects.
• Participate in peer code reviews to reduce defects and raise the bar.

Skills

C/C++/Python

Assembly

Network protocols

Wireshark

Git & Subversion

Jira & Confluence

Requirements analysis

Prototyping

Peer code reviews

Reverse engineering

CNO software

Vulnerability research

SIGINT tools

Education

B.S. in CS/EE or related

M.S. in CS/Engineering (optional)

Tools

Wireshark

Jira/Confluence

Job description

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 looking for a senior-level Software Engineer and CNO Reverse Engineer who's ready to make a real impact on mission-critical projects from day one. In this role, you'll be working at the intersection of software engineering and national security — designing, developing, prototyping, and integrating solutions that deliver mission-centric results in some of the most demanding operational environments around.

You won't be working in isolation here. You'll collaborate closely with analysts, operators, data scientists, and fellow software engineers to provide mission tactical support on projects that actually matter. If you're the kind of engineer who gets energized by hard problems, thrives in a technically rigorous environment, and wants your code to do more than ship a feature — this is your seat at the table.

Requirements

• 12 years of experience with a B.S., or 10 years with an M.S. in a relevant field. Up to 4 years of additional software engineering experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree.
• Proficiency in C, C++, Python, and/or Assembly — you'll be both producing and modifying software systems using these languages
• In-depth understanding of network protocols (e.g., TCP/IP) and hands‑on experience analyzing network traffic using tools like Wireshark
• Experience providing support for fielded software systems
• Familiarity with version control systems including Git and Subversion
• Working knowledge of Atlassian tools such as Jira and Confluence
• Ability to derive, document, and analyze requirements and translate them into working solutions
• Experience augmenting existing toolsets and building end‑to‑end toolsets that can operate within mission constraints
• Ability to build prototypes that demonstrate a clear understanding of mission requirements
• Willingness to participate in peer code reviews to drive down defects and raise the bar for the whole team

These aren't dealbreakers, but they'll make you stand out:

• Experience with reverse engineering Windows or embedded platforms, including RTOS environments
• Experience developing CNO‑specific software for Windows, Linux, or embedded applications
• Experience with Vulnerability Research and Exploit Development
• Knowledge of end‑to‑end SIGINT collection and analysis systems

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 means us go "Hot damn!" We hope to say that many times about you.

Salary Range

$287,500 – $338,000

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.