Job Description

Software Engineer 3 - (AI, Python, C++)

Clearance: TS/SCI - Polygraph required

Position ID: 20-16-045-SWE3

Location: Columbia, Maryland

Description:

We are looking for a highly-motivated and creative Software Engineer with an AI focus to help the organization improve processes, streamline efforts, and expand their capabilities. This is a unique opportunity to shape and modernize the organization's workflow by applying cutting-edge AI technologies to real operational challenges. Working hand-in-hand with the organizational strategist and/or senior leadership, you will collaboratively identify requirements, conceptualize creative/improved solutions and processes, and turn cumbersome, time-consuming tasks into streamlined, AI-assisted workflows. You will apply systems engineering fundamentals from initial design through development and delivery, building AI agents, Skills, and MCP integrations that expedite the development, qualification, and certification of cyber professionals. The ideal candidate combines a strong software engineering foundation with an understanding of the CNO operational and training environments, including familiarity with TAO/CNO formalized training pipelines and certifications. If you are excited about putting AI to work on a mission that directly impacts TAO readiness, this is the role for you.

• Engage with organizational leadership, training staff, and stakeholders to identify process bottlenecks and define requirements for AI-driven improvements.
• Conceptualize, design, and develop innovative AI solutions that streamline and expedite readiness and certification workflows.
• Integrate and configure AI harnesses, including developing custom Skills and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, to connect AI workflows with organizational data and tools.
• Apply systems engineering fundamentals across the full lifecycle, from initial design and prototyping through development, testing, and delivery.
• Utilize AI software engineering practices to rapidly build, iterate on, and maintain automation tools using Python, Bash, and C++.
• Leverage AI to assist in the development, review, and maintenance of JQS and TQS documentation.
• Create technical documentation, user guides, and training materials to support adoption of new AI tools by the training team.
• Provide systems engineering expertise and technical documentation support to the training team and stakeholders.

Position Required Skills:

• Knowledge of CNE/CNO operations and cyber mission tradecraft.
• Experience with operating systems and networking concepts (security, design, and troubleshooting)Proficiency in scripting/programming languages (Bash, Python, C++).
• Experience applying AI/ML technologies to improve workload efficiency and automate routine tasks.
• Familiarity with AI harnesses and agentic workflows, including implementing Skills and MCP servers.
• Experience applying systems engineering fundamentals from initial design through development and deliveryExperience with documentation generation and organization.

Nice to Haves

• Experience or familiarity with former or current TAO/CNO formalized training pipelines.
• Experience developing or reviewing Job Qualification Standards (JQS), high stakes course products, or foundational training and certification documents.
• Previous Interactive Operator or Exploitation Analyst experience.
• Experience building and deploying custom MCP servers or AI agents in a production or enterprise environment.
• Experience with Large Language Model (LLM) prompt engineering, evaluation, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
• Experience working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to gather and refine requirements
• Familiarity with web development frameworks (e.g., React, TypeScript) for building user-facing tools.

SWE3 Qualifications:

A minimum of twelve (12) years of experience as a SWE in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity is required. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline from an accredited college or university is required. Four (4) years of additional SWE experience on projects with similar software processes may be substituted for a bachelor's degree.

Salary Range: $241k-$295k (Annually)

The range displayed above is a likely salary range for this position. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possible contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Akina is a Woman Owned, Service Disabled, Veteran Owned, Small Business, looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join our team. We offer a generous compensation package that includes 24 days PTO accrued annually and 11 federal holidays. Our 401k is 100% vested on your start date and the company makes a direct contribution worth 10% of your salary. Akina covers 100% of healthcare costs for employees and 50% toward dependents. We offer educational assistance towards college classes and will cover costs associated with job related training and certifications.

Akina is committed to excellence and creating innovative and flexible solutions for our clients. We are a small company with an open ear to our employees' needs in order to attract and retain quality talent that enables our customer's mission.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

www.akina-inc.com/careers