Training Subject Matter Expert

Bitwise; Fort Meade (MD); Hybrid; USD 219,000 - 258,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top salaries

3–5 weeks PTO with pay adjustment

11 federal holidays paid

Up to 2 snow days paid

401(k) matching up to 24%

Employer-paid insurance

Education assistance up to $5,250

Spot bonuses for certifications

Job summary

Bitwise is seeking a Systems Engineer and SME to design, develop, and deliver technical training for operators and analysts in mission-critical environments. You will partner with instructors and mission leadership to ensure training reflects current tradecraft, tools, and practices, while creating robust qualification standards and exercises.

You will shape the next generation of operators in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience (or a Bachelor's degree plus 4 additional years of experience in a related field)
• Knowledge of CNE/CNO operations and cyber mission tradecraft
• Experience developing and delivering technical training and instructional materials
• Experience developing or reviewing Job Qualification Standards (JQS) and Technique Qualification Standards (TQS)
• Experience with operating systems and networking concepts (security, design, and troubleshooting)
• Active TS//SCI clearance with polygraph
• Experience with virtualization platforms (VMware/ESXi, Proxmox, KVM) for training environments
• Proficiency in scripting/programming languages (Bash, Python, C++)
• Experience creating virtual training environments and Capture-The-Flag (CTF) events
• Experience mentoring operators and exploitation analysts
• Experience applying AI/ML technologies to improve workload efficiency and automate routine tasks

Responsibilities

• Develop technical training curriculum, course materials, and hands-on exercises for the training team
• Serve as a SME to instruct, coach, and mentor students and junior personnel
• Develop and review JQS and TQS to ensure training aligns with mission requirements
• Create and maintain training pipelines with measurable milestones and timeline adherence
• Provide systems engineering expertise and technical documentation support to the training team and stakeholders

Skills

Technical training

SME coaching

Training strategy

JQS/TQS

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

VMware/ESXi

Proxmox

KVM

Bash

Python

C++

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 will act as a Systems Engineer and Subject Matter Expert supporting our training team, where you will help design, develop, and deliver technical training that prepares operators and analysts for mission-critical work. You will work closely with instructors, curriculum developers, and mission leadership to ensure course materials reflect current tradecraft, tools, and operational practices. You will serve as a technical authority, providing instruction, coaching, and hands-on support to students and junior personnel within training environments. You will be responsible for developing and maintaining training pipelines, qualification standards, and exercises that keep the workforce ready for evolving missions. This position offers you the opportunity to shape the next generation of operators while working in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

Your Responsibilities:

• Develop technical training curriculum, course materials, and hands-on exercises for the training team
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to instruct, coach, and mentor students and junior personnel
• Develop and review Job Qualification Standards (JQS) and Technique Qualification Standards (TQS) to ensure training aligns with mission requirements
• Create and maintain training pipelines with measurable milestones and timeline adherence
• Provide systems engineering expertise and technical documentation support to the training team and stakeholders

Requirements

• 8 years of experience (or a Bachelor's degree plus 4 additional years of experience in a related field)
• Knowledge of CNE/CNO operations and cyber mission tradecraft
• Experience developing and delivering technical training and instructional materials
• Experience developing or reviewing Job Qualification Standards (JQS) and Technique Qualification Standards (TQS)
• Experience with operating systems and networking concepts (security, design, and troubleshooting)
• Active TS//SCI clearance with polygraph
• Experience with virtualization platforms (VMware/ESXi, Proxmox, KVM) for training environments
• Proficiency in scripting/programming languages (Bash, Python, C++)
• Experience creating virtual training environments and Capture-The-Flag (CTF) events
• Experience mentoring operators and exploitation analysts
• Experience applying AI/ML technologies to improve workload efficiency and automate routine tasks

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!".

Salary Range

$219,000 – $257,500

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.