DescriptionSenior Software Engineer - TS/SCI You will work closely with Systems Engineers, Software Engineers, Architects, and Operations Engineering/Manager on a broad scope of activities extending across the development of systems to include middle-tier and backend engineering tasks. Have impact as part of a mission focused, solutions oriented, and adaptive team that values innovation, collaboration, and professional development. While most work is conducted on-site at our client location in Bethesda, MD, we offer a flexible schedule and, occasionally, some tasks may be performed remotely. The percentage of remote work will vary based on client requirements/deliverables.
Specifically, we are looking for a skilled Python developer to join our team to build and maintain scalable microservices that interface with Kafka for real-time messaging and Elasticsearch for data indexing and search. You'll deploy and monitor your services in a Kubernetes environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams in designing reliable, observable, and secure systems. Our client's overall mission is to design and implement a data centric architecture that leverages cloud-based computing, artificial intelligence (Al), machine learning (ML) and cross-domain transfer systems.
Location: Bethesda, MD
Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI
Responsibilities: - Design, develop, test, and maintain Python microservices
- Implement message consumers and producers with Apache Kafka
- Integrate with Elasticsearch for real-time and batch data indexing and querying
- Write unit and integration tests; ensure high code coverage and reliability
- Build CI/CD pipelines for your services and deploy them in Kubernetes clusters
- Participate in design discussions, code reviews, and architecture planning
- Monitor and troubleshoot production issues with observability tools
- Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing within the team
- Utilizes software engineering and design methodologies appropriate to the development, integration, and production environment
- Foster an environment of collaboration with the different team members in the goal of providing quality service and product to our customers
Minimum Requirements: - Bachelor's Degree and 8 or more years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 6 or more years of prior relevant experience. Experience can be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Must possess an Active Top Secret/SCI clearance and ability to obtain and maintain a Polygraph
- Proficiency in Python and related backend frameworks (e.g., FastAPI, Flask).
- Experience with containerization, especially with Docker
- Experience in Extraction, Transformation, and Load (ETL)
- Hands-on development experience in a Linux environment including bash or bash-like scripting
- Strong understanding of RESTful APIs and microservice architecture
- Hands-on experience with Kubernetes: deploying, monitoring, and debugging services
- Understanding of common design patterns, security practices, and logging/monitoring principles
- Familiarity with Git and collaborative workflows (PRs, reviews)
- Experience with DevOps practices and tools including Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools and practices, especially Gitlab or Jenkins
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience with AGILE practices
- Enthusiastic with the ability to work well in a team and a self-starter who can work on their own
Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with designing and implementing software development kits
- Familiarity DGX (Deep GPU Xceleration)
- Active Security+ certification and ability to obtain Privileged User Account (PUA) certification by the Government
- Elasticsearch certifications or other program stack related certifications
- Experience of a production/enterprise systems at scale
- Knowledge of distributed systems concepts (e.g., idempotency, eventual consistency)
- Familiarity with schema registries and Kafka streaming patterns
- Experience blending analytical methodologies and leveraging existing COTS/GOTS/OS tools in an unconventional manner.
- Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS/C2S)
- Familiarity or experience with building applications around Large Language Models, Agentic AI
