System Engineer

Fort Meade, MD

Systems Engineer

👋🏼 Hey!

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
Know and live our core values every single day

💡 About this Role

We are looking for an energetic and organized Systems Engineer to join a dynamic engineering team working on high-priority national security programs. In this role, you will be actively involved across the full lifecycle of complex, enterprise-level systems — from initial design and integration through deployment and long-term maintenance. You will serve as a key technical contributor, helping to ensure that system architecture is robust, scalable, and aligned with program goals.

This is a meaningful opportunity to do work that matters. You will collaborate closely with engineers and program stakeholders alike, bring structure to complex technical challenges, and leave a real mark on the systems and missions you support. If you thrive in a collaborative environment, take pride in your technical craft, and want your work to count for something — this one's for you.

📋 Requirements

3+ years of experience in a systems engineering role, OR 7+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a B.S. in a technical discipline
B.S. in a technical discipline (or 4 additional years of experience in place of the degree)
Solid understanding of systems engineering principles, standards, and the full system development lifecycle
Experience with network profiling, fingerprinting, and security principles
Experience contributing to the design or architecture of IT systems
Demonstrated ability to manage and organize technical tasks, priorities, and milestones
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of working effectively in collaborative, team-based environments
Ability to develop and maintain technical documentation, including system specifications, design documents, and test plans
Active NSYS clearance required

🌟 Preferred Skills

Previous technical leadership experience
Experience with web hosting and/or monitoring
Familiarity with serverless architectures (e.g., AWS Lambda) and/or containerization technologies (e.g., Docker)
Background or familiarity with mobile technology systems and infrastructure
Experience working within Agile or DevOps environments
Relevant professional certifications

🏝️ 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

$197,500 – $232,500

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.

ℹ️ Disclaimers

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.

Last updated: 3/2/26