Software Developer (Systems Software)

Ardent Principles, Inc.

$90K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph is required
  • 5+ years of experience writing, testing, and maintaining Infrastructure as Code using Terraform and CloudFormation
  • Expertise in managing and troubleshooting AWS services such as EC2, Lambda, S3, and RDS
  • Proficiency in Bash and Python scripting
  • Experience with containerization technologies, particularly Docker
  • Knowledge of implementing and managing CI/CD pipelines
  • Familiarity with Git-based workflows and version control best practices

Responsibilities

  • Design, deploy, and maintain mission-critical systems in AWS
  • Implement Infrastructure as Code for automated deployments
  • Configure and manage AWS services for security and efficiency
  • Integrate various software systems and applications on AWS
  • Monitor system performance and address issues proactively
  • Collaborate with team members to optimize cloud environments
  • Provide technical mentorship on DevOps practices

Benefits

  • Generous Paid Time Off for personal rest and relaxation
  • Dedicated Training Budget for continuous professional development
  • 100% Employer-Covered Family Vision, Dental, and Health Insurance
  • 100% Employer-Covered Life and Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) with a 6% Employer Match, fully vested from day one
  • 11 Paid Government Holidays observed throughout the year
  • Spot Bonuses for exceptional performance and contributions
Full Job Description
Software Developer (Systems Software)

Application Deadline: 12 June 2026

Department: Data Analysis and Technology Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: McLean, VA

Description

REQUIRED: Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph
LOCATION: Full-time onsite in McLean, VA

We are seeking a driven, hands-on Software Developer (Systems Software) who thrives in complex cloud environments and enjoys building reliable, secure, automation-driven infrastructure. In this role, you'll design, deploy, and maintain mission-critical systems across AWS using Terraform, CloudFormation, and modern DevOps tooling.

Key Responsibilities

In this challenging yet rewarding role, you are an integral part of what brings our Company's mission to life. You must have the following required skills, certifications and demonstrated experience in and/or with:
  • Hands-on experience writing, testing, and maintaining Infrastructure as Code with Terraform (required) and CloudFormation (required)
  • Hands-on experience configuring, managing, and troubleshooting AWS services including EC2, Lambda, S3, RDS, VPC, Security Groups, NACLs, IAM, CloudWatch, and other core services
  • Hands-on experience implementing and managing Cl/CD pipelines (Jenkins preferred, but experience with GitLab Cl, GitHub Actions, or similar acceptable}
  • Strong proficiency in Bash (required) and Python (required) scripting
  • Hands-on experience with containerization technologies (Docker required)
  • Hands-on experience integrating and deploying diverse software systems: AWS cloud services, open-source applications, COTS/GOTS products, and custom applications
  • Strong understanding of networking fundamentals, security best practices, IAM policies, and AWS architecture best practices
  • Hands-on experience with Git-based workflows, branching strategies, and version control best practices
  • Hands-on experience with monitoring, logging, and alerting systems (Prometheus/Alertmanager, CloudWatch, or similar)
  • Hands-on experience with database self-hosting including installation, configuration, backup/recovery, high availability, and performance tuning (PostgreSQL and MySQL)


Highly Desired Qualifications

Other skills and demonstrated experiences that are highly desired but not mandatory to perform the work, include:
  • Secrets management solutions (AWS Secrets Manager, or similar)
  • Knowledge of disaster recovery, backup strategies, and continuity planning
  • Familiarity with API gateways and modern microservices patterns
  • Working with cost optimization practices in AWS
  • Deploying and managing data platform components: Apache Spark, Trina, Apache Ranger, Apache Iceberg, Apache Superset, data catalogs
  • Familiarity with data lakehouse architectures and supporting infrastructure
  • Background deploying and supporting Al/ML workloads or model serving infrastructure
  • Mentoring team members on DevOps and cloud best practices
  • Familiarity with additional monitoring tools (Grafana, ELK stack)
  • Integrating customer's Enterprise services (SSO, etc.)
  • Using NoSQL databases (DynamoDB, MongoDB, etc.)


What We Offer You
  • Highly Competitive Salary: Recognizing and rewarding your expertise and contributions.
  • Generous Paid Time Off: Providing ample time for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits.
  • Dedicated Training Budget: Supporting continuous learning and professional development.
  • 100% Employer-Covered Family Vision, Dental, and Health Insurance: Ensuring comprehensive health coverage for you and your family.
  • 100% Employer-Covered Life and Disability Insurance: Offering financial security and peace of mind.
  • 401(k) Plan with a 6% Employer Match: Helping you plan and save for a secure retirement, with 100% vesting from day one.
  • 11 Paid Government Holidays: Observing national holidays to ensure time off with family and friends.
  • Spot Bonuses for Exceptional Performance: Rewarding outstanding contributions and achievements.

SCHEDULE:

This is a full-time position with consultants expected to be available and working onsite in McLean, VA during core hours.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us and be part of a team dedicated to driving positive change through technology. Apply now with our easy 3-minute, mobile-friendly initial application process. Your future starts here!

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Ardent Principles, Inc.

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Software Developer (Systems Software) jobs: