Principal Software and Integration Engineer (TS/SCI)

About the Role

We are seeking a Principal Software & Integration Engineer to lead the deployment, integration, and operational success of mission-critical software systems in classified government environments.

This is a highly hands-on, customer-facing role supporting a fast-moving initiative with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) as part of a Quick Reaction (QX) pilot program, in partnership with a major defense contractor.

You will likely be the only on-site technical representative in secure environments (SCIFs), making you a critical bridge between customers, mission needs, and internal engineering teams.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguous, high-stakes environments, enjoys solving complex integration challenges, and can operate with a high degree of autonomy.

What You’ll Be Working On

You’ll support deployment and integration of advanced analytics platforms focused on:

Satellite Imagery & Analytics:

• Optical and SAR (synthetic aperture radar) data integration
• Near real-time analytics (1–6 hour latency)

AI/ML & LLM Systems:

• Agentic AI solutions
• Integration of LLMs and Small Language Models (SLMs) in secure environments

This is cutting-edge work with direct national security impact.

Key Responsibilities

Deployment & Integration

• Lead installation, configuration, and deployment of software systems in:
  • AWS GovCloud / GCP environments
  • Air-gapped / on-prem / classified (SCIF) environments
• Integrate systems with legacy government technologies, including:
  • XML-based data formats
  • SOAP-based services
• Normalize and transform data from disparate sources into internal platforms

Customer-Facing Technical Leadership

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for government stakeholders
• Operate directly within SCIF environments (NGA/NRO)
• Translate mission needs into technical solutions
• Troubleshoot issues in real time across software, infrastructure, and data layers

Systems Troubleshooting & Operations

• Diagnose and resolve issues across:
  • Application layer
  • Infrastructure and cloud environments
  • Networking and data pipelines
• Support system validation, testing, and operational readiness

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with internal engineering, product, and leadership teams
• Provide feedback from the field to improve product and deployment strategy
• Support ongoing system enhancements and mission expansion

What They’re Really Looking For (From the Hiring Team)

• A hands-on “doer”, not a purely academic engineer
• Someone comfortable being the only technical representative from your company in the room
• Strong customer presence - likable, communicative, and trusted
• Deep technical capability, but also able to figure things out in unknown environments
• Comfortable working in classified, high-security environments
• Able to operate with minimal guidance and high autonomy

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance (CI Poly preferred or willingness to obtain)
• ~10+ years of experience in:
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Integration
  • Deployment / Solutions Engineering
• Strong experience deploying and integrating software in customer environments
• Experience working directly with government or defense customers
• Strong understanding of:
  • Cloud environments (AWS, GCP)
  • On-prem / hybrid architectures
• Experience troubleshooting across:
  • Applications
  • Infrastructure
  • Data systems
• Excellent communication skills - able to explain technical concepts clearly

Critical Technical Experience

• Cloud Platforms: GCP (preferred), AWS (especially GovCloud)
• Data & Integration:
  • XML, SOAP (must be comfortable with legacy systems)
  • Data transformation / normalization
  • PostgreSQL / SQL
• Programming/Scripting:
  • Python, JavaScript, Bash, or similar
• Infrastructure & Systems:
  • Linux environments
  • Networking fundamentals

AI / ML / Emerging Tech Exposure (Highly Valued)

• Experience working with:
  • Large Language Models (LLMs)
  • Small Language Models (SLMs) for secure environments
• Familiarity with deploying AI systems in restricted or air-gapped environments
• Ability to adapt AI capabilities across cloud and classified systems

Work Environment & Expectations

• Highly customer-facing - especially within SCIF environments
• May require regular presence in Northern Virginia / DC area
• Fast-paced, mission-driven environment with shifting priorities
• Work is often 80% solution → deploy → iterate, not perfection-first
• Occasional travel and on-site work required