Software Engineer (SWE), Level 3

Bitwise; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 282,000 - 332,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top salaries

PTO flexibility (3–5 weeks)

11 federal holidays

401(k) match 24%

Employer-paid health/dental/vision

Education assistance

Job summary

Bitwise seeks an experienced engineer to architect scalable microservices and backend data pipelines for high-tempo mission support. You will deploy across cloud-native environments, implement IaC, and drive secure CI/CD practices in a fast-paced, security-focused setting.

You will collaborate with mission analysts and security researchers to modernize infrastructure and deliver rapid-response capabilities using AI-assisted development tools.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant experience with a B.S. in a technical discipline, or 16+ years of relevant experience without a degree.
• Experience with high-side development environments and non-attributed network configurations.
• Knowledge of end-to-end full-stack architecture, including modern frontend design, RESTful APIs, relational/non-relational databases, and backend services.
• Experience with DevOps automation, containerization technologies (Docker), continuous integration pipelines, and cloud service providers.
• Knowledge of modern software engineering practices, such as Git-based version control, testing frameworks, and agile workflows within collaborative team structures.
• Experience working within or interest in offensive cyber operations, vulnerability research, and software reverse engineering; Experience using AI-assisted development tools.
• Familiarity with modern UI libraries (React, Angular, Vue) alongside legacy stacks (Bootstrap, jQuery).
• Knowledge of mobile vulnerability research and Android application architecture.
• Experience with low-level programming (C/C++), debugging tools (gdb), or legacy analytics frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Architect scalable microservices, REST middleware, and backend data processing pipelines capable of supporting high-tempo mission requirements.
• Deploy and manage services across cloud-native and high-side environments utilizing IaC and DevOps automation.
• Create and maintain automated CI/CD pipelines to ensure rapid, secure, and reliable software delivery.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mission analysts, and vulnerability researchers to integrate engineering best practices into offensive cyber tooling and rapid-response capabilities.
• Utilize AI-assisted development workflows to maximize development velocity when addressing emergent mission opportunities.

Skills

Docker

CI/CD

GIT

Cloud

C/C++

React/Angular/Vue

gdb

AI-assisted development

Offensive cyber

Education

B.S. in a technical discipline

Tools

Docker

gdb

CI/CD tools

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 join a rapid development and deployment environment where you’ll provide end-to-end engineering support to architect, build, and maintain robust, large-scale distributed web applications and cloud-native systems. In this role, your ability to react swiftly to emergent mission opportunities will be critical — you’ll rapidly prototype and field capabilities under compressed timelines while maintaining technical rigor and security standards.

You’ll work closely with cross-functional teammates, mission analysts, and security researchers to modernize infrastructure, integrate automated workflows, and solve complex technical challenges in the offensive cyber space. Your responsiveness and engineering excellence will directly accelerate mission success by leveraging modern cloud architectures, cutting-edge automation, and AI-assisted development tools to deliver actionable insights.

What you’ll do

• Architect scalable microservices, REST middleware, and backend data processing pipelines capable of supporting high-tempo mission requirements
• Deploy and manage services across cloud-native and high-side environments utilizing Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and DevOps automation
• Create and maintain automated CI/CD pipelines to ensure rapid, secure, and reliable software delivery
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mission analysts, and vulnerability researchers to integrate engineering best practices into offensive cyber tooling and rapid-response capabilities
• Utilize AI-assisted development workflows to maximize development velocity when addressing emergent mission opportunities

Requirements

• 12+ years of relevant experience with a B.S. in a technical discipline, or 16+ years of relevant experience without a degree
• Experience with high-side development environments and non-attributed network configurations
• Knowledge of end-to-end full-stack architecture, including modern frontend design, RESTful APIs, relational/non-relational databases, and backend services
• Experience with DevOps automation, containerization technologies (Docker), continuous integration pipelines, and cloud service providers
• Knowledge of modern software engineering practices, such as Git-based version control, testing frameworks, and agile workflows within collaborative team structures
• Experience working within or interest in offensive cyber operations, vulnerability research, and software reverse engineeringExperience using and configuring AI-assisted development tools via skills, memory, or custom extensions
• Familiarity with modern UI libraries (React, Angular, Vue) alongside legacy stacks (Bootstrap, jQuery)
• Knowledge of mobile vulnerability research and Android application architecture
• Experience with low-level programming (C/C++), debugging tools (gdb), or legacy analytics frameworks

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

$282,000 – $332,000

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.