Description

Position Summary

The Senior Software Engineer (SME) provides technical and management leadership on major software development and modernization efforts. As the authoritative domain expert across the full stack-React frontends, Python (FastAPI and/or Django) backends, and AWS-based containerized infrastructure-this individual establishes technical goals and delivery plans that meet project objectives, directs and controls engineering activities on behalf of the client, and carries overall responsibility for technical outcomes, delivery methods, level-of-effort and financial performance, and staffing.

This is a working technical leader role: the SME remains deeply hands-on while also setting direction, negotiating scope and priorities with client leadership, and interfacing with senior stakeholders. Decisions and domain judgment made in this position have a critical impact on overall project implementation and mission success. The role may supervise or direct other engineers.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Architecture (SME)
• Serve as the authoritative technical SME across frontend, backend, and cloud/DevOps domains, providing expert guidance on architecture, design patterns, and technology selection.
• Establish architectural direction, engineering standards, and technical goals aligned to project and mission objectives.
• Make high-impact technical decisions and resolve complex, ambiguous problems where domain judgment materially affects project implementation.

Hands-On Software Engineering
• Design, build, and maintain responsive React frontends with an emphasis on usability, performance, and accessibility.
• Develop secure, scalable backend services and APIs in Python using FastAPI and/or Django.
• Deliver clean, testable, maintainable code and drive quality through code review, automated testing, and technical documentation.

Cloud Infrastructure & DevOps
• Architect, provision, and manage AWS infrastructure using infrastructure-as-code practices.
• Containerize applications with Docker and deploy, scale, and operate workloads on Kubernetes.
• Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines, observability/monitoring, and automated deployment workflows to ensure reliable, repeatable delivery.

Project Planning & Delivery Management (SME)
• Establish goals, roadmaps, and delivery plans that meet defined project objectives.
• Estimate level of effort and own task-level financial and schedule performance, including tracking burn against contract funding.
• Define engineering methods, tooling, and processes, and adapt them to evolving mission and program needs.

Client Engagement & Stakeholder Leadership (SME)
• Direct and control engineering activities for the client, holding overall responsibility for meeting technical requirements.
• Interface with client senior management and program stakeholders; negotiate scope, priorities, technical trade-offs, and delivery commitments.
• Translate mission needs and operational

requirements into sound technical strategy and communicate progress, risk, and options to leadership.

Team Leadership & Staffing (SME)
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, raising the capability of the engineering team.
• Contribute to staffing decisions, resource planning, and team composition to ensure the right skills are aligned to the work.
• May supervise, direct, and review the work of other engineers.

Security & Compliance
• Champion secure-by-design and secure development practices within a CUI-handling, regulated environment.
• Ensure software and infrastructure align with applicable DoD/IC security requirements and organizational compliance obligations.

Required Qualifications
• Demonstrated SME-level mastery across the full stack: React (modern JavaScript/TypeScript), Python backend development with FastAPI and/or Django, AWS, and containerized deployment with Docker and Kubernetes.
• Proven track record leading major software development or modernization efforts end-to-end-from technical planning through delivery and operation.
• Demonstrated experience directing technical activities and interfacing directly with senior client stakeholders, including negotiating scope, priorities, and technical direction.
• Experience with level-of-effort estimation, resource/staffing planning, and ownership of task-level delivery.
• Strong grounding in secure software development and cloud security practices.
• U.S. citizenship and an active U.S. security clearance (or eligibility to obtain one at the level required by the program). [Adjust to program requirements.]

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience deploying to AWS GovCloud and/or within FedRAMP or DoD Impact Level (IL) authorized environments.
• Infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Terraform and Ansible) and GitOps-style deployment workflows.
• Prior software delivery on DoD or Intelligence Community programs.
• Familiarity with CMMC, NIST 800-171/800-53, or comparable compliance frameworks.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect/DevOps, Certified Kubernetes Administrator, Security+ or equivalent DoD 8570/8140 baseline).

Clearance & Eligibility

This position supports DoD/IC missions and requires U.S. citizenship and an active (or obtainable) U.S. Government security clearance at the level specified by the program. Applicants must be able to meet and maintain eligibility requirements throughout employment

Compensation

Salary at IAMUS Consulting varies based on location, education, skills, experience, as well as contract-specific affordability. The estimated salary range for this position is between $182,000 and $240,000. This estimate is one part of IAMUS Consulting's overall compensation package.