Cloud Systems Engineer

Bitwise • Columbia, MD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

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. 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.

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• 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

Benefits

• 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.
• 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!".

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree