CNO Engineer (Cloud Exploitation), BS+12 yrs or MS+10 yrs at Link, LLC (Ft Meade, MD)

Link, LLC· Ft Meade, MD·4d ago

Role details

Work type

Onsite

Job description

Description: You will act as a CNO cloud exploiter for up-and-coming projects where you will analyze, design, develop, prototype, modify, and integrate solutions to provide mission-centric results. You will work closely with analysts, operators, data scientists and other software engineers to provide mission tactical support. Responsibilities:

Augment existing toolsets.
Derive, document, and analyze requirements.
Exploit misconfigured API's and cloud services.
Build prototypes to demonstrate understanding of mission requirements.
Produce end toolsets that can operate within mission constraints. Skills Requirements:
Familiar with Cloud based architectures/microservices and Docker.
Produce and modify software systems in Python/JavaScript.
Provide support for fielded software systems.
Familiarity with Git and Subversion.
Atlassian Tools (Jira, Confluence). Nice to Haves:
Experience with reverse engineering Linux/Windows/Embedded platforms.
Experience with any of the following: C/C++, Java, Bash, PowerShell, Perl, C#, Rust, Assembly.
Experience with developing CNO specific software in Linux/Windows/Embedded applications.
Experience with Vulnerability Research and Exploit development.
Knowledge of end-to-end SIGINT collection and analysis systems.
Experience with production CNO capabilities and operations. YOE Requirement: 12 yrs., B.S. or 10 yrs. w/ M.S., 4 yrs. of additional SWE experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.

Why work at Link, LLC

Culture: Mission‑driven environment focused on protecting national security. Employees are described as part of a team that “enables missions and engineers lasting solutions.”
Work Environment: On‑site work at secure government facilities (Ft Meade, MD; Annapolis Junction, MD; Columbia, MD; Honolulu, HI). No remote/hybrid options evident from job postings.
Perks & Benefits:
- 14% employer retirement contribution (no employee match required)
- 75% of medical costs covered for entire family (plus Fringe Benefit to subsidize further)
- 100% of Long‑Term, Short‑Term, AD&D, and Life Insurance paid by employer
- $10,000 annual training budget
- 5 weeks PTO + 12 holidays + 40 hours personal time + 40 hours professional training
- 10 days parental leave
- Monthly morale events: happy hours, go‑karting, axe throwing, brewery tours, curling
Engineering culture: Focus on innovation, reverse engineering, and hands‑on technical work. High investment in training and professional development.

About Link, LLC

Company Overview

One-liner: Link, LLC is a defense and cybersecurity services company that enables Computer Network Operations (CNO) and provides intelligence solutions to protect U.S. national security information and infrastructure.
Entity Type: Private (no public funding rounds found)
Headquarters: Not explicitly disclosed, but primary operations appear to be in the Maryland area (Fort Meade, Annapolis Junction, Columbia) – USA
Founded: ~1999 (based on “over 25 years of experience” as of 2024 – 2025)
Founders: Not publicly available

Core Business

Primary industry: Defense, Cybersecurity, Intelligence (DoD contractor)
Target customers: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), other government agencies, and commercial clients requiring national‑security‑grade cyber and intelligence services
Mission statement: “Enabling mission with innovation” – partnering with clients to protect the nation’s security information, systems, and infrastructure.

Products & Services

Link offers a range of technical capabilities, delivered as professional services and engineering support:

Data Science: Study data and extract intelligence; machine learning, deep learning, NLP.
Cryptography Engineering: Maintain security and integrity of digital communications, including quantum‑computing era challenges.
High Performance Computing (HPC): Process data and perform complex calculations at high speeds.
Full Stack Software Engineering: Architect and develop analytic and AI/ML solutions.
Malware Analysis: Dissect code to understand how it works; identify vulnerabilities.
Exploitation Analysis: Uncover and exploit security vulnerabilities in support of Signals Intelligence.
CNO Tool Development: Develop tools to enable actions and intelligence collection; apply reverse engineering.
Systems Administration / DevOps: Engineer virtual infrastructures, optimize and automate solutions, deploy new systems.
Systems Engineering & Test: Collaborate on designs, validate solutions, automate testing capabilities.

Market Standing

Valuation: Not publicly available (private company)
Key Metric: Not publicly available (revenue not disclosed); however, the company maintains a substantial hiring pipeline with multiple open positions across all levels.
Notable Investors/Partners: Not publicly available (no external investment rounds found)
Growth Signals: Active, ongoing hiring across multiple locations (Ft Meade, MD; Annapolis Junction, MD; Columbia, MD; Honolulu, HI) for roles ranging from entry‑level to senior engineers. The company’s 25‑year tenure and continuous contract work with the DoD indicate stable, long‑term growth.

Competitive Advantages

Deep domain expertise: Over 25 years of experience exclusively in national security, CNO, and signals intelligence.
Strong benefits package: Offers a 14% retirement contribution (no match required), 75% of family medical costs covered, $10,000 annual training budget, and a unique “Fringe Benefit” that can be applied to medical subsidies, HSA, 529 plans, hobbies, tech, gaming, etc.
High retention incentives: 5 weeks PTO, 12 holidays, 40 hours personal time, 40 hours professional training, 10 days parental leave, and 24 hours emergency leave — all designed to attract and retain cleared talent.

Strategic Focus

Current priorities: Continue to support DoD and intelligence community missions with cutting‑edge CNO, cryptography, AI/ML, and exploitation capabilities.
Direction for growth: Expanding into advanced AI/NLP, cloud exploitation, and quantum‑resistant cryptography while maintaining a strong pipeline of cleared technical talent.

Sources

Job description

Why work at Link, LLC

Application questions