Senior Python Engineer

Slingshot Aerospace

$150K — $220K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Expert-level Python experience in ETL, microservices, and distributed data processing.
  • Strong FastAPI development and optimization experience.
  • Production experience with Kafka and/or RabbitMQ.
  • Robust MongoDB expertise: schema design, indexing, aggregation, sharding/replication.
  • Experience with in-memory databases like Redis.
  • Hands-on experience with vector search or RAG-based retrieval pipelines.
  • Experience in agent-driven AI architectures and LLM-powered automation workflows.
  • Robust Linux proficiency with Docker/Kubernetes experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to debug complex distributed or high-scale systems.
  • Hands-on AWS experience across compute, networking, and data services.
  • Proven application of Secure SDLC and secure engineering patterns.
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree in CS, Engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

  • Develop Python-based ETL frameworks and high-throughput data pipelines.
  • Implement and optimize real-time, event-driven streaming architectures using Kafka or RabbitMQ.
  • Build and scale FastAPI microservices with a focus on performance, resilience, security, and observability.
  • Design MongoDB schemas and indexing strategies for optimal performance.
  • Implement caching layers and high-speed data access using Redis or similar in-memory stores.
  • Contribute to the design and implementation of RAG pipelines and vector search integrations.
  • Implement Agentic AI workflows using LangChain and Crew AI.
  • Apply Secure SDLC practices across the development lifecycle.
  • Participate in architecture reviews and set engineering standards for distributed systems.
  • Troubleshoot complex data and performance issues in production environments.
  • Support containerization and Kubernetes-native deployment patterns.

Benefits

  • In-office work in the vibrant Washington DC Metro Area.
  • Opportunities for equity beyond salary compensation.
  • Access to cutting-edge technologies and high-performance computing environments.
Full Job Description
What You'll Be Launching

Seeking a Senior Python Engineer to design and deliver secure, scalable, high performance data processing and intelligent application platforms. This on site role (Washington DC-Baltimore area) requires deep expertise in Python, FastAPI, distributed event-driven systems, MongoDB, and in memory datastores such as Redis. The engineer will contribute to system design, build production-ready services and pipelines, and apply best practices across ingestion, transformation, streaming, AI integration, and secure delivery workflows. Experience with RAG systems and Agentic AI workflows is strongly preferred.

Your Mission (Should you choose to accept it)
  • Develop Python-based ETL frameworks, orchestration layers, and high-throughput data pipelines.
  • Implement and optimize real-time, event-driven streaming architectures using Kafka and/or RabbitMQ.
  • Build and scale FastAPI microservices with strong focus on performance, resilience, security, and observability.
  • Design MongoDB schemas, indexing strategies, and aggregation pipelines with attention to performance.
  • Implement caching layers, session management, and high-speed data access using Redis or similar in-memory stores.
  • Contribute to the design and implementation of RAG pipelines, vector search integrations, and retrieval optimization.
  • Implement Agentic AI workflows using LangChain and Crew AI.
  • Apply Secure SDLC practices across coding, code review, CI/CD, and deployment.
  • Participate in architecture reviews and contribute to engineering standards for distributed systems.
  • Troubleshoot complex data, system, and performance issues in production environments.
  • Support containerization, Kubernetes-native deployment patterns, and AWS cloud integrations.

Pre-flight Checklist
  • Expert-level Python experience across ETL, microservices, and distributed data processing.
  • Strong FastAPI development and optimization experience.
  • Production experience with Kafka and/or RabbitMQ.
  • Strong MongoDB expertise: schema design, indexing, aggregation, sharding/replication.
  • Experience with in-memory databases such as Redis.
  • Hands-on experience implementing vector search or RAG-based retrieval pipelines.
  • Experience with agent-driven AI architectures and LLM-powered automation workflows.
  • Strong Linux proficiency and experience with Docker/Kubernetes.
  • Demonstrated ability to debug complex distributed or high-scale systems.
  • Hands-on AWS experience across compute, networking, and data services.
  • Proven application of Secure SDLC and secure engineering patterns.
  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in CS, Engineering, or related field.


Location: Washington DC Metro Area (In office)

Salary: $150,000 - $220,000, equity and benefits

US-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following U.S. states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV We are unable to consider candidates residing in other U.S. states at this time.

Internationally-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following locations: United Kingdom. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other countries at this time.

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