Staff Engineer-Software Engineer

The Mission Starts Here 

TheIncLab engineers and delivers intelligent digital applications and platforms that revolutionize how our customers and mission-critical teams achieve success.  

We are where innovation meets purpose; and where your career can meet purpose as well.  We are looking for a Staff Engineer to join our Software Engineering team. This is a senior technical leadership role responsible for driving architectural decisions, mentoring engineers, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable software solutions for the Department of Defense and U.S. Government customers. As a Staff Engineer, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to influence technical strategy and guide the organization toward best practices in software development. From mission planning to autonomous systems, your work will have a tangible impact on national security and technological advancement. We encourage you to apply and take the first step in joining our dynamic and impactful company. 

Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept 

As a Staff Engineer, you will lead and drive architectural decisions, mentoring engineers, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable software solutions.   

What will you do? 

• Define and drive technical strategy, architecture, and design for complex systems.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for software engineering best practices, frameworks, and tools.
• Lead teams but no direct supervisory responsibilities.
• Mentor and coach engineers across multiple teams to elevate technical capabilities.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to align technical solutions with business goals.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions to improve system performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Lead technical investigations and resolve critical issues in production systems.
• Establish coding standards, review processes, and ensure adherence to security and compliance requirements.
• Evaluate and integrate modern technologies, tools, and frameworks such as VS Code, TypeScript, React, Redux, , NestJS, , , Docker, and cloud platforms such as AWS.
• Advocate for continuous improvement in development processes and tooling.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, leveraging advancements to enhance architectural strategies.
• Focus on hands-on development for the most challenging project components to ensure successful implementation.

Requirements

Capabilities that will enable your success 

• Bachelor's in computer science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of professional software development experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead role.
• Proven track record of designing and delivering large-scale, distributed systems.
• Hands-on expertise in modern software development stacks, such as MongoDB, Express, React, , , , Yjs, Kafka.
• Proficiency in TypeScript, Python, JavaScript and cloud platforms like AWS, or Azure.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines, Gitlab, and automated testing frameworks (e.g., Cypress, Jest, Detox).
• Strong understanding of networking, APIs, and database systems (CouchDB, SQL and NoSQL).
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, with a proven ability to lead and mentor teams.
• This is a hybrid position and currently requires three days in office (Tuesday to Thursday) at one of our facilities in Nashville TN, McLean VA or Tampa FL
• Ability to influence technical decisions across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time based on company and customer needs.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience with software systems for Department of Defense projects.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams to develop high-performance, user-centered applications.
• Experience as a military aviator and defense mission planning, or knowledge of navigation software.
• Experience in developing GIS applications.
• Experience developing applications with geospatial visualizations and large data sets
• Experience with event-driven architecture and high-throughput systems.
• Contributions to open-source projects or technical communities.
• Familiarity with domain-driven design and advanced architectural patterns.

Clearance Requirements

• Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen and willing and eligible to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance at the Secret or Top-Secret level. Existing clearance is preferred

Benefits

At TheIncLab we recognize that innovation thrives when employees are provided with ample support and resources. Our benefits packages reflect that: 

• Hybrid and flexible work schedules 
• Professional development programs 
• Training and certification reimbursement 
• Extended and floating holiday schedule  
• Paid time off and Paid volunteer time 
• Health and Wellness Benefits include options for Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance along with access to Wellness, Mental Health, and Employee Assistance Programs. 
• 100% Company Paid Benefits that include STD, LTD, and Basic Life insurance. 
• 401(k) Plan Options with employer matching 
• Incentive bonuses for eligible clearances, performance, and employee referrals. 
• A company culture that values your individual strengths, career goals, and contributions to the team. 

About TheIncLab 

Founded in 2015, TheIncLab ("TIL") is the first human-centered artificial intelligence (AI+X) lab.  We engineer complex, integrated solutions that combine cutting-edge AI technologies with emerging systems-of-systems to solve some of the most difficult challenges in the defense and aerospace industries.  Our work spans diverse technological landscapes, from rapid ideation and prototyping to deployment.  

At TIL, we foster a culture of relentless optimism.  No problem is too hard, no project is too big, and no challenge is too complex to tackle. This is possible due to the positive attitude of our teams.  We approach every problem with a "yes" attitude and focus on results.  Our motto, "demo or die," encompasses the idea that failure is not an option.  

We do all of this with a work ethic rooted in kindness and professionalism.  The positive attitude of our teams is only possible due to the support TIL provides to each individual.  

At TIL, we believe that every challenge is an opportunity for growth and innovation.  Our teams are encouraged to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to complex problems.  We understand that the path to success is not always straightforward, but we are committed to persevering and finding a way forward. 

Our culture of relentless optimism is not just about having a positive attitude; it is about taking action and making things happen.  We believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork, and we know that by working together, we can achieve great things.  Our teams are made up of individuals who are passionate about their work and dedicated to making a difference. 

Learn more about TheIncLab and our job opportunities at  

Salary range guidance provided is not a guarantee of compensation. Offers of employment may be at a salary range that is outside of this range and will be based on qualifications, experience, and possible contractual requirements. 

This is a direct hire position, and we do not accept resumes from third-party recruiters or agencies.