Principal Software Engineer – TS/SCI with Polygraph

📍 Location: On-site | Fort Meade, MD

🔒 Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph

💼 Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site Only

Role Overview

We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and enhancement of complex software systems supporting national security missions. You’ll work at the intersection of real-time systems, large-scale data environments, and mission-critical analytics—owning the full software lifecycle in a cleared, high-impact environment. This is a hands-on leadership role suited for experts with deep technical skills and the ability to guide multiple engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and enhance large-scale and diverse software systems (e.g., real-time, analytics-heavy, data-intensive, mission systems).
• Lead software design based on system requirements, including trade-offs between hardware/software, COTS/GOTS reuse, and custom development.
• Translate user needs into detailed design, performance specs, and functional implementation plans.
• Code new capabilities and improve/optimize existing systems using Python (Lambda), PostgreSQL, and AWS-native services.
• Debug, test, and remediate software using observability tools such as CloudWatch and pgAdmin.
• Oversee integration of existing software into modern environments using Docker and Terraform (IaC).
• Design efficient queries for PostgreSQL (Aurora RDS) and DynamoDB (for caching).
• Write or review comprehensive technical documentation, configuration files (Makefiles), and dependency tools (Poetry).
• Coordinate and lead development teams through all phases of Agile/DevSecOps lifecycle.
• Implement advanced algorithms and event-driven architectures using AWS Step Functions, SQS, and SNS.
• Collaborate with system engineers and stakeholders to analyze flow, performance, and mission needs.
• Recommend and drive adoption of new technologies (e.g., containerization, serverless, IaC, CI/CD pipelines).
• Ensure quality control, test planning, and operational readiness across multiple teams and software baselines.

Required Qualifications

• Education/Experience:
• Bachelor’s in Computer Science or related discipline and 20+ years of software engineering experience
• Clearance: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph required (no CCA or interim)
• Technical Expertise:
• Proficient in AWS services: Lambda (Python 3.11), API Gateway, Step Functions, S3, RDS (Aurora PostgreSQL), DynamoDB
• Experienced in debugging, containerization (Docker), infrastructure automation (Terraform), and DevSecOps practices
• Proven background in algorithm development, performance tuning, and scientific/mathematical modeling
• Skilled in Makefiles, Poetry, observability stacks, and writing/maintaining system documentation
• Leadership Skills:
• Demonstrated success leading multiple development teams and overseeing end-to-end system lifecycle
• Ability to delegate tasks, coordinate across stakeholders, and ensure high-performance delivery
• Strong communication and team-building capabilities across technical and executive audiences

Work Environment

• This role is 100% on-site at Fort Meade, MD.