Principal Software and Integration Engineer

Principal Software and Integration Engineer (TS/SCI)
Location: Northern Virginia (preferred) or U.S. Remote (must support on-site work in SCIF environments)
Clearance: Active TS/SCI required; CI Polygraph preferred or willingness to obtain
Type: Full-Time
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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.
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What You’ll Be Working On
You’ll support deployment and integration of advanced analytics platforms focused on:
• Satellite Imagery & Analytics:
o Optical and SAR (synthetic aperture radar) data integration
o Near real-time analytics (1–6 hour latency)
• AI/ML & LLM Systems:
o Agentic AI solutions
o Integration of LLMs and Small Language Models (SLMs) in secure environments
This is cutting-edge work with direct national security impact.
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Key Responsibilities
Deployment & Integration
• Lead installation, configuration, and deployment of software systems in:
o AWS GovCloud / GCP environments
o Air-gapped / on-prem / classified (SCIF) environments
• Integrate systems with legacy government technologies, including:
o XML-based data formats
o 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:
o Application layer
o Infrastructure and cloud environments
o 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
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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
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Required Qualifications
• Active TS/SCI clearance (CI Poly preferred or willingness to obtain)
• ~10+ years of experience in:
o Software Engineering
o Systems Integration
o Deployment / Solutions Engineering
• Strong experience deploying and integrating software in customer environments
• Experience working directly with government or defense customers
• Strong understanding of:
o Cloud environments (AWS, GCP)
o On-prem / hybrid architectures
• Experience troubleshooting across:
o Applications
o Infrastructure
o Data systems
• Excellent communication skills - able to explain technical concepts clearly
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Critical Technical Experience
• Cloud Platforms: GCP (preferred), AWS (especially GovCloud)
• Data & Integration:
o XML, SOAP (must be comfortable with legacy systems)
o Data transformation / normalization
o PostgreSQL / SQL
• Programming/Scripting:
o Python, JavaScript, Bash, or similar
• Infrastructure & Systems:
o Linux environments
o Networking fundamentals
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AI / ML / Emerging Tech Exposure (Highly Valued)
• Experience working with:
o Large Language Models (LLMs)
o 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
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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