Software Engineer

Software Engineer - Senior (Flyaway) Location: Onsite | Washington, DC - up to 25% Travel Clearance: Active TS/SCI with CI Polygraph Employment Type: Full-time, salaried, with full benefits ________________________________________________________________________________ About the Company: Our customer is a mission-driven technology company transforming how the U.S. defense and intelligence community leverages artificial intelligence. The company integrates cutting-edge AI, next-generation sensors, and advanced data solutions into operational environments-delivering capabilities that matter at the speed of mission. The team is built from seasoned operators, technologists, and problem-solvers who thrive in small, fast-moving groups. They are deeply connected to the mission, move with urgency, and empower their people to take ownership. The problems they tackle are complex and high impact: accelerating decision-making, enhancing warfighter effectiveness, and shaping the future of defense technology. ________________________________________________________________________________ About the Role: The Senior Software Engineer (Flyaway) will serve as a technical leader within our customers client's program, driving the design and delivery of enterprise AI platforms and applications. This role involves shaping software architecture, mentoring engineers, and ensuring that systems are secure, scalable, and mission-ready. Flyaway billets include up to 25% travel to Combatant Commands and IC sites, providing opportunities to engage directly with operators and stakeholders. Senior engineers are expected to set technical direction while remaining hands-on, contributing to design and implementation in addition to guiding the team. This position requires adaptability, initiative, and the ability to deliver solutions that directly support warfighter and intelligence community operations. ________________________________________________________________________________ Primary Responsibilities: Lead the design, development, and deployment of scalable enterprise software systems. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to mid-level and junior engineers. Define and enforce coding standards, security practices, and development processes. Drive architecture decisions and evaluate emerging technologies for mission fit. Partner with cross-functional teams, including AI/ML engineers, data engineers, and mission engineers, to ensure seamless system integration. Conduct code reviews and ensure adherence to quality, security, and performance standards. Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in production and classified environments. Support Flyaway deployments (up to ~25%) and contribute to field integration and user discovery. ________________________________________________________________________________ Required Experience: Active TS/SCI clearance with ability to obtain a CI Polygraph. Ideally, 10 years of professional software development experience with leadership responsibilities. Expertise in multiple modern programming languages and technology stacks (e.g., Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, Go). Strong understanding of software architecture patterns and system design principles. Hands-on experience with cloud-native development and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes). Proven experience leading technical teams and mentoring developers. Deep knowledge of security best practices, system hardening, and performance optimization. Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments. ________________________________________________________________________________ Preferred Experience: Prior military service or direct support to DoD/IC programs. Background in distributed systems, streaming frameworks, or large-scale data processing. Experience with AWS or other major cloud platforms. Familiarity with AI/ML system integration or Responsible AI practices. ________________________________________________________________________________ Benefits: Equity participation 401(k) retirement plan Unlimited paid time off (PTO) Paid parental leave Paid holidays Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance Short- and long-term disability coverage