AI Applications Technical Lead

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're building the next generation of AI infrastructure, and we need a Senior Software Engineer to help lead that charge. You'll be at the heart of developing and maintaining high-quality AI tools and applications that empower our customer's workforce to use AI seamlessly and efficiently. This is a role where you'll wear multiple hats — architect, builder, leader, and innovator.

Your day-to-day will involve developing robust AI tools and applications, ensuring they maintain high availability, reliability, performance, and security. You'll engage directly with customers to understand their evolving needs, then translate those loosely-defined problems into elegant technical solutions. You'll modify and adapt open-source software to fit our customer's unique use cases, and you'll maintain the infrastructure and applications that keep everything running smoothly.

Beyond individual contribution, you'll serve as a technical lead for AI Tools and Applications initiatives, coordinating work across integrated teams. You'll mentor junior developers, conduct one-on-ones, provide coaching and feedback, and help them grow. You'll also serve as the team's point of contact for contract administration functions, navigate ambiguity in complex systems, establish technical policies and governance frameworks, and drive adoption of new technologies and practices across engineering teams.

You'll implement and oversee monitoring, logging, and observability solutions for AI services, communicate effectively with stakeholders at multiple organizational levels, and own the reliability and security of our components. In short: you'll be expected to grow, learn, and lead — and we'll support you every step of the way.

Requirements

• 12 years of experience in software engineering, OR a B.S. in a technical discipline plus 8 additional years of experience
• Mastery of Python
• Significant experience developing and maintaining production software
• Significant experience with Large Language Models (LLMs) as part of a code solution workflow
• Expertise in UI/UX principles
• Familiarity with AWS or other cloud service providers
• Experience with Kubernetes/Helm
• Familiarity with Argo CD and/or other CI/CD frameworks
• Experience supporting production software using Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) best practices
• Experience with Docker and containerization
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly
• Strong communication skills and willingness to ask questions
• Demonstrated willingness to learn, lead a team, and manage multiple junior developers

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency (not just familiarity) with AWS or other cloud service providers
• Proficiency (not just familiarity) with Kubernetes/Helm
• Proficiency (not just familiarity) with Argo CD and/or other CI/CD frameworks
• Extensive experience supporting production software using SRE best practices
• Proficiency (not just familiarity) with Docker and containerization
• Experience with LLM UI open-source software such as OpenWebUI
• Extensive experience with customer requirements elicitation and expertise in community outreach and integration
• Experience with LLM model hosting

️ 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

$282,000 – $332,000

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.

️ 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: 9/21/26