Junior Software Engineer

About this role

Belay Technologies

Junior Software Engineer

3004 - Annapolis Junction, MD - Full Time

Belay Technologies has been voted Baltimore Business Journal's (BBJ) Best Places to Work 2026!

Belay Technologies is seeking a Junior Software Engineer to join our intel team. We are looking for a motivated Software Engineer with an interest in AI to join the Standards, Operational Assurance, and Readiness (SOAR) organization (formerly Organizational Readiness and Certification (ORC)) 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.

Responsibilities:

• 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.

Skills Requirements:

• 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.

Candidates should have the following qualifications:

• TS/SCI Clearance with polygraph
• 3 yrs., B.S. in a technical discipline or 4 additional yrs. in place of B.S.

Perks and Benefits:

• 8 weeks paid leave - 4 weeks of personal leave, 3 Yay! days, take off on your birthday,11 paid holidays and optional leave up to 6 days through Belay's volunteer program
• 10% matching in 401(k) contributions vested on day one
• $5,000 annual training/tuition
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• 100% company-funded HSA
• Rich medical coverage (100% coinsurance)
• Dental coverage including orthodontia
• Up to $420,000 in life insurance, premiums 100% company funded
• Amazon Prime, gym reimbursement, monthly lunches, games and prizes
• Pet adoption program, generous referral bonus program, fun events, and more!

At Belay, we are committed to creating an environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally. We believe in transparency and fairness in compensation. Several factors influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, education, specific skills and competencies and certifications. Belay offers a competitive total compensation package that includes benefits and perks, a flexible work-life balance, and career development.

Salary Range: $70,000 to $190,000

Belay Technologies is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business located in Columbia, Maryland (Baltimore/Washington area). Belay Technologies specializes in systems automation and full stack development. Belay Technologies provides leading technology and engineering solutions to the DoD, as well as state-of-the-art commercial products. We hire software engineers, web designers, test engineers, systems engineers, systems administrators, database engineers and other tech services. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.