CNO NetDev Developer

Bitwise; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 240,000 - 282,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top salaries

Flexible PTO (3–5 weeks)

Paid federal holidays

Snow days (paid)

401(k) match 24%

Employer-paid medical/dental/vision/lw

Education assistance up to $5,250

Spot bonuses for certifications

Job summary

Bitwise is seeking a software engineer with an active TS//SCI clearance and polygraph for roles at Fort Meade. You will join a mission-focused team delivering reverse engineering and software development for network-based devices in a fast-paced environment.

Your responsibilities will include deriving stakeholder requirements, porting and extending toolsets, delivering rapid prototypes for validation, and producing production-ready software while supporting fielded systems.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience with a B.S. in a technical discipline or 8+ years without a B.S.
• Deep familiarity with Unix-based systems (BSD, Linux, UNIX)
• Hands‑on experience with reverse engineering Linux-based network devices (Ghidra/IDA Pro)
• Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP) and network traffic analysis (Wireshark)
• Proficiency in producing and modifying software in C/C++, Python, and Assembly
• Ability to support fielded software systems in operational environments
• Familiarity with Git, Subversion, and Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)

Responsibilities

• Derive, document, and analyze stakeholder requirements for mission alignment
• Port, modify, and augment existing toolsets for evolving operational needs; provide rapid prototypes for validation
• Develop production-ready tools that operate within mission constraints
• Support fielded software systems and ensure continuous operational capability

Skills

Unix-based systems

Reverse engineering (Ghidra/IDA Pro)

TCP/IP networking

Wireshark

C/C++

Python

Assembly

Git/Subversion/Jira/Confluence

Education

B.S. in a technical discipline

M.S. in a technical discipline

Tools

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 be at the heart of our CNO operations, performing reverse engineering and developing software for network-based devices in a fast-paced, mission-centric environment. In this role, you'll work alongside analysts, operators, data scientists, and fellow software engineers to deliver tactical solutions that matter.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Deriving, documenting, and analyzing stakeholder requirements to ensure mission alignment
• Porting, modifying, and augmenting existing toolsets to meet evolving operational needsProviding rapid prototypes for early validation and user feedback, demonstrating a deep understanding of mission requirements
• Developing production-ready tools that operate seamlessly within mission constraints
• Supporting fielded software systems and ensuring continuous operational capability

You’ll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on national security by translating complex requirements into robust, reliable software solutions.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, you need:

• 6+ years of experience with a B.S. in a technical discipline, OR 8+ years of experience without a B.S., OR 4+ years of experience with an M.S. in a technical discipline
• Deep familiarity with Unix-based systems (BSD, Linux, UNIX, etc.)
• Hands‑on experience with reverse engineering Linux-based network devices using Ghidra and/or IDA Pro
• In‑depth understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP) and network traffic analysis (Wireshark)
• Proficiency in producing and modifying software systems in C/C++, Python, and Assembly
• Demonstrated ability to support fielded software systems in operational environments
• Familiarity with Git, Subversion, and Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)

We’d love to see experience with:

• Reverse engineering various RTOS or Microsoft Windows systems
• RISC processors (MIPS, POWER, ARM)
• Developing CNO-specific software in Linux, Windows, or embedded applications
• Vulnerability research and exploit development
• End‑to‑end SIGINT collection and analysis systems
• 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.
• 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

$239,500 – $282,000

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.