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

Link, LLC· Ft Meade, MD·3d ago

Role details

Work type

Onsite

Job description

Description: You will act as a general-purpose CNO software engineer where you will design, develop, prototype, modify, and integrate solutions for a wide variety of up-and-coming projects. You will be a part of an interdisciplinary team composed of analysts, operators, data scientists and other software engineers to provide new tooling and explore novel capabilities to produce mission-centric results. Responsibilities:

Develop new software systems in a variety of languages that can operate within unique mission constraints.
Produce QRC products to enable time-sensitive mission outcomes.
Build prototypes to demonstrate and explore novel techniques.
Derive, document, and analyze requirements.
Augment and integrate with existing toolsets and dataflow where possible. Skills Requirements:
Experience with various languages like C/C++/Python/Assembly
Experience with reverse engineering.
In-depth understanding of network protocols (e.g., TCP/IP), and analysis of network traffic (e.g., Wireshark).
Ability to deliver independently but also integrate with the broader team.
Familiarity with Linux platforms.
Familiarity with Git and Subversion. Nice to Haves:
Experience with reverse engineering network based devices.
Familiarity with Windows/embedded platforms.
Experience with any of the following: Java, JavaScript, Bash, PowerShell, Perl, C#, and Rust.
Experience with developing CNO specific software in Linux/Windows/Embedded applications.
Experience with Vulnerability Research and Exploit development.
Familiarity with CNO capabilities and operations.
Knowledge of end-to-end SIGINT collection and analysis systems. 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