CNO Embedded Systems Reverse Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Top salaries

Flexible PTO 3–5 weeks

11 federal holidays paid

Snow days paid

401(k) match up to 24%

Employer-paid health, dental, vision,

Employer-paid life and disability

Education assistance $5,250

Spot bonuses

Job summary

Bitwise is seeking an embedded developer and general‑purpose CNO software engineer on cutting‑edge projects delivering mission‑centric results. You’ll design, develop, prototype, modify, and integrate solutions that deliver tactical outcomes in a fast‑paced team with analysts, operators, data scientists, and fellow software engineers.

You’ll need a TS//SCI clearance with polygraph and strong skills in C/C++/Python, Linux/Windows, and end‑to‑end software.

Qualifications

• 12 years of software experience with a B.S., or 10 years with an M.S. (4 years may substitute for a degree).
• Experience building CNO software in Linux, Windows, and embedded systems.
• Proficient in C/C++/Python and reverse engineering with Ghidra.
• Git, Subversion, Jira and Confluence are familiar tools.

Responsibilities

• Augment toolsets to meet evolving mission needs.
• Derive, document, and analyze requirements for mission alignment.
• Build prototypes to demonstrate understanding of requirements.
• Deliver end-to-end toolsets within mission constraints.
• Collaborate with customer leadership to enable mission success.

Skills

C/C++/Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

MS degree in related field

Tools

Ghidra

Git

Subversion

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

You’ll work as an embedded developer and general‑purpose CNO software engineer on cutting‑edge projects where you’ll design, develop, prototype, modify, and integrate solutions that deliver mission‑centric results. You’ll be part of a fast‑paced, dynamic environment where you’ll collaborate closely with analysts, operators, data scientists, and fellow software engineers to provide tactical mission support.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Augmenting existing toolsets to meet evolving mission needs
• Deriving, documenting, and analyzing requirements to ensure mission alignment
• Building prototypes that demonstrate your understanding of mission requirements
• Producing end‑to‑end toolsets that operate within mission constraints
• Working with customer leadership to build relationships and enable mission success

This role demands a flexible, highly‑motivated engineer with a strong desire to learn new skills and tackle the evolving challenges that are critical to national security.

Requirements

• 12 years of experience with a B.S. degree, OR 10 years of experience with an M.S. degree (4 years of additional software engineering experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree)
• Experience developing CNO‑specific software in Linux, Windows, and embedded applications
• Proficiency in reverse engineering, especially with Ghidra
• Strong software development skills in C/C++/Python
• Ability to provide support for fielded software systems
• Familiarity with Git and Subversion version control systems
• Experience with Atlassian Tools (Jira, Confluence)
• Willingness to learn new technologies and systems to meet mission objectives
• Vulnerability research and exploit development experienceKnowledge of end‑to‑end SIGINT collection and analysis systems
• Experience with production CNO capabilities and operations

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

$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.