Software Engineer (Language Modeling), BS+12 yrs at Link, LLC (Columbia, MD)

Link, LLC· Columbia, MD·3d ago

Role details

Work type

Onsite

Job description

Description: We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Sr. LLM Engineer to join our team in driving the advancement of our Language Model infrastructure. As a key member of our AI/ML team, you will be responsible for the training, hosting, and optimization of Large Language Model (LLM) instances within our compute environment. The ideal candidate should possess a strong passion for pushing the boundaries of language technology, a deep understanding of LLM architectures, and the grit to tackle complex challenges head-on. This role requires a self-reliant individual with a drive to identify and fix inefficiencies, constantly striving to improve the codebase and optimize model performance. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have an unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge language solutions, this position is for you. Responsibilities:

Design, develop, and maintain the infrastructure for training, hosting, and serving LLM instances.
Optimize model training pipelines to achieve high performance and resource efficiency.
Implement and integrate state-of-the-art LLM architectures and techniques.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand business requirements and deliver impactful language solutions.
Monitor and analyze model performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement and implementing optimizations.
Develop and maintain documentation, best practices, and coding standards for LLM development and deployment.
Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in LLM research and industry trends, and incorporate them into our projects.
Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing. Skills Requirements:
12+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on machine learning or natural language processing.
Degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
Strong expertise in deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or MXNet.
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or Java.
Solid understanding of LLM architectures, training techniques, and evaluation methodologies.
Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and their machine learning services.
Knowledge of software engineering best practices, including version control, testing, and continuous integration/deployment.
Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.
Strong communication and collaboration abilities to work effectively with cross-functional teams. Nice to Haves:
Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
Proven track record of implementing and deploying large-scale LLM systems in production environments.
Experience with distributed computing frameworks like Apache Spark or Hadoop.
Experience with natural language understanding, generation, and dialogue systems.
Familiarity with techniques such as transfer learning, few-shot learning, and reinforcement learning.
Contributions to open-source projects or research publications in the field of LLMs.
Experience with serving models using APIs and building scalable inference pipelines.
Knowledge of DevOps practices and tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Jenkins. YOE Requirement: 12 yrs., B.S. in a technical discipline or 4 additional yrs. in place of B.S.

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