Ba(Ni$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)$_2$As$_2$ is a structural homologue of the pnictide high temperature superconductor, Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)$_2$As$_2$, in which the Fe atoms are replaced by Ni. Superconductivity is highly suppressed in this system, reaching a maximum $T_c$ = 2.3 K, compared to 24 K in its iron-based cousin, and the origin of this $T_c$ suppression is not known. Using x-ray scattering, we show that Ba(Ni$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)$_2$As$_2$ exhibits a unidirectional charge density wave (CDW) at its triclinic phase transition. The CDW is incommensurate, exhibits a sizable lattice distortion, and is accompanied by the appearance of $\alpha$ Fermi surface pockets in photoemission [B. Zhou et al., Phys. Rev. B 83, 035110 (2011)], suggesting it forms by an unconventional mechanism. Co doping suppresses the CDW, paralleling the behavior of antiferromagnetism in iron-based superconductors. Our study demonstrates that pnictide superconductors can exhibit competing CDW order, which may be the origin of $T_c$ suppression in this system.
