> Hacking would probably be a plus for a software enginer. They know how to debug systems. They also apparently have poor judgement and/or security practices,

> Hacking would probably be a plus for a software enginer. They know how to debug systems. They also apparently have poor judgement and/or security practices, if they got themselves convicted under CFAA or similar. And possibly questionable moral integrity depending on what and how they were hacking. Background checks are not intended to evaluate skills but to find risks. Having a hacking conviction is generally not a positive signal.