Cloud Systems Engineer

Columbia, MD

Cloud Systems Engineer

An active TS//SCI clearance with polygraph is required for this role

👋🏼 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 innovative and analytical Cloud Systems Engineer to join a research and development team working at the cutting edge of cloud-native architectures — specifically Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). This is a role for someone who genuinely loves hard problems: you'll be exploring next-generation methodologies to optimize, secure, and scale edge networks, and you'll be the bridge between theoretical research and real-world implementation.

You will transform complex technical requirements into robust, automated, and well-documented cloud-native systems. If you're passionate about pushing the boundaries of CDN technology, designing zero-touch deployment pipelines, and tackling infrastructure challenges that most engineers never get close to, this is your seat at the table. You'll be working alongside researchers, software engineers, and network specialists in Columbia, MD — contributing directly to distributed systems experimentation that matters.

In this role, you will:

Lead requirements and architecture work — translate high-level research objectives into concrete, scalable cloud-native system architectures that hold up under real-world conditions
Drive CDN research and development — conduct deep-dive research into next-generation CDN technologies, edge computing, traffic routing, and caching strategies
Design and implement automated deployments — build fully automated, resilient CI/CD pipelines and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions for both testbed environments and production-grade prototypes
Own system documentation — create and maintain comprehensive, high-quality documentation covering system designs, architectural decisions, deployment processes, and research findings
Collaborate cross-functionally — work closely with researchers, software engineers, and network specialists to build robust environments that support cutting-edge distributed systems experimentation

📋 Requirements

12 years of systems engineering experience, or 16 years in lieu of a B.S. degree
Proven track record as a Systems Engineer, Cloud Architect, or similar role with a focus on highly distributed environments
Deep understanding of cloud-native ecosystems
Solid knowledge of Content Delivery Networks, edge caching, load balancing, DNS, and core network protocols — including TCP/IP, HTTP/2/3, TLS, and BGP
Hands-on experience with configuration management and Infrastructure as Code, specifically GitLab and Terraform, to drive automated deployments
Exceptional ability to gather complex requirements, model systems, and architect solutions that balance performance, security, and scalability
Excellent written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to produce clear, technical documentation for complex systems
Active TS//SCI clearance with polygraph

🌟 Preferred Skills

Computer Network Operations (CNO): Experience or background in CNO is a meaningful plus
DevOps & SRE: A strong philosophical and practical understanding of DevOps principles and Site Reliability Engineering practices
AI/ML Familiarity: Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concepts — particularly as applied to network traffic prediction, dynamic routing, or automated system remediation

🏝️ 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

$266,500 – $313,500

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: 5/11/26