Junior Software Engineer

Belay Technologies•Annapolis Junction, MD

10d•$70,000 - $190,000

About The Position

Belay Technologies is seeking a Junior Software Engineer to join its intelligence team and support the Standards, Operational Assurance, and Readiness (SOAR) organization, formerly Organizational Readiness and Certification (ORC). The role focuses on improving processes, streamlining efforts, and expanding organizational capabilities by applying AI technologies to operational challenges. Working with senior engineers and an organizational strategist, the engineer will help gather requirements, build and test AI-assisted tools, and convert time-consuming tasks into streamlined workflows. The position offers hands-on experience with AI agents, Skills, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations used to support the development, qualification, and certification of cyber professionals, while learning CNO operational and training environments. The role calls for a motivated engineer with a solid software engineering foundation, strong problem-solving skills, and a willingness to learn in a mission-focused setting. Candidates must have a TS/SCI clearance with polygraph and either a bachelor's degree in a technical discipline plus three years of experience, or four additional years in place of the bachelor's degree. Belay Technologies is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business located in Columbia, Maryland, in the Baltimore/Washington area. The company specializes in systems automation and full-stack development and provides technology and engineering solutions to the Department of Defense as well as commercial products. The listed salary range is $70,000 to $190,000. Final compensation depends on factors including geographic location, government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant experience, education, skills, competencies, and certifications.

Requirements

Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language; Python or Bash preferred.
Understanding of software engineering fundamentals, including Git version control, testing, and debugging.
Basic knowledge of operating systems and networking concepts.
Familiarity with AI/LLM tools and interest in applying them to automate routine tasks.
Ability to write clear, organized technical documentation.
Strong communication skills and willingness to learn from senior engineers and subject matter experts.
TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
Three years of experience and a bachelor's degree in a technical discipline, or four additional years of experience in place of the bachelor's degree.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of or exposure to CNE/CNO operations and cyber mission tradecraft.
Experience or coursework with AI harnesses and agentic workflows, including Skills or MCP servers.
Exposure to systems engineering concepts from design through delivery.
Experience with C++.
Familiarity with LLM prompt engineering, evaluation, or Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
Familiarity with web development frameworks such as React and TypeScript for building user-facing tools.
Experience or familiarity with TAO/CNO formalized training pipelines.
Exposure to Job Qualification Standards (JQS) or other training and certification documents.

Responsibilities

Participate in discussions with training staff and stakeholders to capture requirements and understand process bottlenecks.
Implement and test components of AI-driven solutions that streamline readiness and certification workflows, with guidance from senior engineers.
Assist in configuring AI harnesses, including developing and maintaining custom Skills and MCP servers that connect AI workflows to organizational data and tools.
Contribute to the development lifecycle through prototyping, coding, testing, and delivery of assigned features.
Build and maintain automation scripts and tools using Python and Bash.
Use AI tools to assist with drafting, reviewing, and maintaining JQS and TQS documentation under the training team's direction.
Write technical documentation, user guides, and training materials to support adoption of new AI tools.
Learn and apply team coding standards, version control practices, and review processes.

Benefits

Eight weeks of paid leave, comprising four weeks of personal leave, three Yay! days, a day off on the employee's birthday, and 11 paid holidays; optional leave of up to six days through the volunteer program.
10% matching in 401(k) contributions, vested on day one.
$5,000 annual training/tuition benefit.
Student Loan Repayment Program.
100% company-funded HSA.
Medical coverage with 100% coinsurance.
Dental coverage, including orthodontia.
Up to $420,000 in life insurance, with premiums 100% company funded.
Amazon Prime, gym reimbursement, monthly lunches, games and prizes.
Pet adoption program, referral bonus program, and events.
Flexible work-life balance and career development.