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Automation Engineer

Columbia, MD

👋🏼 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

As an Automation Engineer focused on Python & Tradecraft Development, you will design and implement software solutions that streamline mission workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and support evolving cyber tradecraft. You will work closely with operators, analysts, and engineers to identify manual or repetitive processes and transform them into scalable, reliable automation.

This role emphasizes practical problem-solving and rapid capability development. You may build standalone tools, integrate with existing mission systems, or develop automation frameworks that enable repeatable and auditable processes. Your work will directly impact operational tempo and mission effectiveness.

Depending on experience level, you may contribute to tradecraft development, mentor junior engineers, and help establish best practices for automation in secure environments.

Responsibilities will include:
  • Maintain an active TS/SCI with Polygraph. Candidates without a current clearance will not be considered.
  • Design and develop Python-based automation tools and workflows
  • Integrate automation capabilities with existing mission systems and APIs
  • Translate operational needs into scalable software solutions
  • Develop scripts and utilities to process, enrich, and transform data
  • Support testing, debugging, and refinement of automated capabilities
  • Improve reliability and maintainability of existing automation frameworks
  • Document tradecraft processes and technical implementations
  • Collaborate directly with mission stakeholders to iterate quickly on requirements
  • Identify opportunities to increase efficiency through automation
📋 Requirements
  • Active TS/SCI with Polygraph.
  • Strong proficiency in Python
  • Experience developing automation scripts or tools in Linux-based environments
  • Familiarity with REST APIs and system integration patterns
  • Experience working with structured and unstructured data
  • Understanding of software development best practices (version control, testing, documentation)
  • Ability to troubleshoot and debug complex workflows
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Don't quite meet these requirements? Peep our other prime positions
🌟 Preferred Skills
  • Experience supporting cyber operations or mission tradecraft development
  • Familiarity with data parsing, transformation, and enrichment techniques
  • Experience integrating automation with databases or search platforms
  • Knowledge of networking fundamentals and cybersecurity concept
  • Experience building CLI tools or lightweight user interfaces
  • Familiarity with containerized deployments
  • Experience supporting production CNO capabilities and operations
  • Knowledge of end-to-end SIGINT collection and analysis systems
  • Familiarity with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)
🏝️ 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

Junior: $115k - $165k
Mid-Level: $150k - $250k
Senior: $225k - $315k

These ranges include our flex income and depend 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 send an email to hiring@bitwise.tech   #CJ

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