Software Engineer 1 - (AI, Python, Bash)
Clearance: TS/SCI - Polygraph required
Position ID: 20-16-063-SWE1
Location: Columbia, Maryland
Description:
We are looking for a motivated Software Engineer with an interest in AI to join and help improve processes, streamline efforts, and expand the team's capabilities. This is a great opportunity to grow as an engineer while applying modern AI technologies to real operational challenges. Working alongside senior engineers and the organizational strategist, you will help gather requirements, build and test AI-assisted tools, and turn cumbersome, time-consuming tasks into streamlined workflows. You will gain hands-on experience with AI agents, Skills, and MCP integrations that expedite the development, qualification, and certification of cyber professionals, and you will learn the CNO operational and training environments along the way. The ideal candidate has a solid software engineering foundation, strong problem-solving instincts, and a desire to learn quickly in a mission-focused setting. If you are excited about putting AI to work on a mission that directly impacts TAO readiness, this is the role for you.
• Participate in discussions with training staff and stakeholders to help 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 Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers that connect AI workflows to organizational data and tools.
• Contribute across the development lifecycle, including prototyping, coding, testing, and delivery of assigned features.
• Build and maintain automation scripts and tools using Python and Bash.
• Use AI tools to assist in drafting, reviewing, and maintaining JQS and TQS documentation under the direction of the training team.
• Write clear 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.
Position Required Skills:
• Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language (Python or Bash preferred).
• Understanding of software engineering fundamentals, including version control (Git), testing, and debugging.
• Basic knowledge of operating systems and networking concepts.
• Familiarity with AI/LLM tools and an 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 (SMEs).
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 Large Language Model (LLM) prompt engineering, evaluation, or Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
• Familiarity with web development frameworks (e.g., React, 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.
SWE1 Qualifications:
A minimum of three (3) 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: $169k-$207k (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