Backend Developer/Engineer

About

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what's happening now and shape what's coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go‑getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Join a mission, not just a job, where you can shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Requires an active U.S. Government security clearance at the TS/SCI level with CI Polygraph. Applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration.
• Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain backend services and platform components for a modern data architecture.
• Build integrations with internal and external data sources, APIs, and event streams.
• Partner with data engineering, analytics, and product managers to define scalable data models and platform capabilities.
• Improve reliability, observability, and performance of data workflows and backend services.
• Implement best practices for testing, monitoring, logging, and deployment.
• Contribute to architecture decisions around storage, orchestration, metadata management, and access patterns.
• Help establish engineering standards for code quality, documentation, CI/CD, and operational excellence.
• Troubleshoot and debug production systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience, with strong backend development skills.
• Strong proficiency in Python.
• Experience building backend systems, APIs, or distributed services in production environments.
• PostgreSQL and Elasticsearch proficiency.
• Familiarity with AWS, especially S3, RDS, and other data‑centric services.
• Current/active TS/SCI with a current CI polygraph or willingness/ability to obtain a CI polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Computer Science, Systems Engineering) or equivalent experience.
• Understanding of software engineering fundamentals including testing, version control, CI/CD, and system design.
• Tenacious troubleshooting, problem‑solving, and error‑fixing mentality.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills; ability to work, collaborate, and thrive on a small technical team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with data platforms, data pipelines, ETL/ELT workflows, or large‑scale data processing systems.
• GitLab and GitLab CI experience.
• OpenShift and Helm experience.
• Docker and containerization experience.
• DoD 8570 IAT II and Privileged User Access requirements met (Security+, CySA+, CCNA Security, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP).

Pay Range

• Washington, DC metropolitan area: $113,000 – $188,000 annually.
• Other locations: salary ranges vary based on geographic cost of labor and market conditions.

Benefits

Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that includes:

• Robust 401(k) with company match.
• Mental health resources.
• Student loan repayment assistance.
• Adoption reimbursement.
• Pet insurance.

EEO Policy

Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.