Job Requirements
Remote Las Vegas, NV Arlington, VA Co Spgs, CO Dayton, OH
Secret Polygraph not specified
Mid Level Career (5+ yrs experience)
Salary not specified
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Job Description
R&D Engineer — Mission Solutions
Location: United States
Work Model: Remote
Travel: Approximately 15%
Clearance: U.S. citizenship required due to federal contract requirements. Active Secret clearance preferred; candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
Build Mission-Focused Technology Before It Becomes a Program
Rackner is seeking an R&D Engineer — Mission Solutions to help build, prototype, demonstrate, and refine software and platform solutions for defense-relevant use cases.
This is a hands-on R&D role for an engineer who wants to move between software implementation, technical discovery, prototypes, mission-user feedback, and operational problem solving.
You will work with Rackner’s internal R&D team and technical leadership to turn emerging ideas, operational needs, and user feedback into practical technical capabilities. The work may include building prototypes, integrating systems, testing assumptions, supporting demos, gathering feedback, and helping shape the next version of a solution.
This is not a traditional sales role and not a sustainment-only delivery seat. It is a technical builder role for someone who can contribute to R&D execution while communicating clearly with engineers, customers, mission users, and non-technical stakeholders.
What You’ll Work On
Build, prototype, test, and refine software and platform solutions for defense-relevant use cases
Help move early concepts from idea to working demonstration
Develop, configure, integrate, and validate prototype capabilities across cloud-native or containerized environments
Support technical demos, R&D events, solution walkthroughs, and mission-focused engagements
Translate user, customer, or operational feedback into clear technical requirements and next-step recommendations
Test APIs, services, workflows, integrations, and deployment patterns in modern software environments
Work with engineers and technical leadership to evaluate tradeoffs, troubleshoot issues, and improve system behavior
Prepare demo materials, technical documentation, briefing content, and post-event feedback summaries
Communicate technical concepts clearly to engineering teams, program stakeholders, customers, and mission users
Represent Rackner’s R&D work with curiosity, professionalism, and technical credibility
What You’ll Bring
U.S. citizenship required due to federal contract requirements
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
Technical background in software development, platform engineering, systems engineering, DevSecOps, cloud technologies, or a related discipline
Hands-on experience designing, building, integrating, testing, or improving modern software systems
Experience working with engineering teams through prototype development, experimentation, implementation, or delivery efforts
Working knowledge of APIs, cloud platforms, container technologies, CI/CD pipelines, and modern development practices
Ability to collect input from users and stakeholders and convert needs into clear engineering priorities
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain architectures, tradeoffs, and technical decisions to varied audiences
Comfort operating independently in fast-moving environments with evolving requirements
Willingness to travel approximately 15% for R&D events, demonstrations, collaboration sessions, or customer engagements
Experience That Stands Out
We are especially interested in candidates who have worked in or around:
DoD, Air Force, Platform One, Big Bang, or federal defense technology environments
Mission Command, Battle Management, C2, ISR, mission planning, tactical applications, autonomy, or related operational systems
Cloud-native engineering, DevSecOps, platform engineering, software integration, or prototype development
Technical demonstrations, pilots, field exercises, workshops, customer briefings, or live events
AI-enabled applications, LLMs, automation, data platforms, autonomy, or emerging technology areas
Secure development, observability, infrastructure-as-code, compliance requirements, or production operations
Technologies You May Use
Relevant experience may include:
Python
JavaScript / TypeScript
React
Go
FastAPI
Postgres
AWS
Docker
Kubernetes
Helm
Terraform
CI/CD tooling
APIs and integrations
DevSecOps tooling
AI-assisted development tools
You do not need to have used every tool listed. We care most about technical judgment, hands-on execution, clear communication, and the ability to turn ambiguous needs into working solutions.
Why This Role May Be Compelling
This role is a fit for engineers who want to:
Work on mission-focused technology before it becomes a formal program
Build prototypes and technical demos that influence future solutions
Operate close to users, customers, and technical decision-makers
Combine hands-on engineering with technical discovery and feedback loops
Contribute to defense-relevant software without being boxed into a narrow delivery role
Help shape early capabilities in cloud, DevSecOps, AI/ML, distributed systems, and modern software engineering
Travel & Event Support
This role requires approximately 15% travel for R&D events, technical demos, collaboration sessions, and customer or mission-focused engagements. Travel is planned in advance whenever possible and may include internal engineering sessions, customer-facing demonstrations, field events, or technical workshops.
About Rackner
Rackner is a software consultancy focused on building mission-critical systems for the U.S. government. Our teams work across cloud platforms, DevSecOps, AI/ML, distributed systems, and modern software engineering initiatives supporting federal agencies and national security missions.
Rackner engineers and technical teams collaborate closely with leadership, program teams, and mission stakeholders to design, demonstrate, and improve software systems that address complex operational challenges.
Benefits & Perks
Rackner invests in its people, because when you grow, we all win.
Company-supported certifications aligned to current and future program work, including cloud, Kubernetes, DevSecOps, security, AI/ML, project management, and related technical areas
Clear advancement tracks and future leadership opportunities
401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
Generous PTO and paid holidays
Home-office equipment plan and remote work support
Fitness and wellness reimbursement
Weekly pay schedule and modern perks, including team events
Equal Opportunity
Rackner is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.
Location: United States
Work Model: Remote
Travel: Approximately 15%
Clearance: U.S. citizenship required due to federal contract requirements. Active Secret clearance preferred; candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
Build Mission-Focused Technology Before It Becomes a Program
Rackner is seeking an R&D Engineer — Mission Solutions to help build, prototype, demonstrate, and refine software and platform solutions for defense-relevant use cases.
This is a hands-on R&D role for an engineer who wants to move between software implementation, technical discovery, prototypes, mission-user feedback, and operational problem solving.
You will work with Rackner’s internal R&D team and technical leadership to turn emerging ideas, operational needs, and user feedback into practical technical capabilities. The work may include building prototypes, integrating systems, testing assumptions, supporting demos, gathering feedback, and helping shape the next version of a solution.
This is not a traditional sales role and not a sustainment-only delivery seat. It is a technical builder role for someone who can contribute to R&D execution while communicating clearly with engineers, customers, mission users, and non-technical stakeholders.
What You’ll Work On
Build, prototype, test, and refine software and platform solutions for defense-relevant use cases
Help move early concepts from idea to working demonstration
Develop, configure, integrate, and validate prototype capabilities across cloud-native or containerized environments
Support technical demos, R&D events, solution walkthroughs, and mission-focused engagements
Translate user, customer, or operational feedback into clear technical requirements and next-step recommendations
Test APIs, services, workflows, integrations, and deployment patterns in modern software environments
Work with engineers and technical leadership to evaluate tradeoffs, troubleshoot issues, and improve system behavior
Prepare demo materials, technical documentation, briefing content, and post-event feedback summaries
Communicate technical concepts clearly to engineering teams, program stakeholders, customers, and mission users
Represent Rackner’s R&D work with curiosity, professionalism, and technical credibility
What You’ll Bring
U.S. citizenship required due to federal contract requirements
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
Technical background in software development, platform engineering, systems engineering, DevSecOps, cloud technologies, or a related discipline
Hands-on experience designing, building, integrating, testing, or improving modern software systems
Experience working with engineering teams through prototype development, experimentation, implementation, or delivery efforts
Working knowledge of APIs, cloud platforms, container technologies, CI/CD pipelines, and modern development practices
Ability to collect input from users and stakeholders and convert needs into clear engineering priorities
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain architectures, tradeoffs, and technical decisions to varied audiences
Comfort operating independently in fast-moving environments with evolving requirements
Willingness to travel approximately 15% for R&D events, demonstrations, collaboration sessions, or customer engagements
Experience That Stands Out
We are especially interested in candidates who have worked in or around:
DoD, Air Force, Platform One, Big Bang, or federal defense technology environments
Mission Command, Battle Management, C2, ISR, mission planning, tactical applications, autonomy, or related operational systems
Cloud-native engineering, DevSecOps, platform engineering, software integration, or prototype development
Technical demonstrations, pilots, field exercises, workshops, customer briefings, or live events
AI-enabled applications, LLMs, automation, data platforms, autonomy, or emerging technology areas
Secure development, observability, infrastructure-as-code, compliance requirements, or production operations
Technologies You May Use
Relevant experience may include:
Python
JavaScript / TypeScript
React
Go
FastAPI
Postgres
AWS
Docker
Kubernetes
Helm
Terraform
CI/CD tooling
APIs and integrations
DevSecOps tooling
AI-assisted development tools
You do not need to have used every tool listed. We care most about technical judgment, hands-on execution, clear communication, and the ability to turn ambiguous needs into working solutions.
Why This Role May Be Compelling
This role is a fit for engineers who want to:
Work on mission-focused technology before it becomes a formal program
Build prototypes and technical demos that influence future solutions
Operate close to users, customers, and technical decision-makers
Combine hands-on engineering with technical discovery and feedback loops
Contribute to defense-relevant software without being boxed into a narrow delivery role
Help shape early capabilities in cloud, DevSecOps, AI/ML, distributed systems, and modern software engineering
Travel & Event Support
This role requires approximately 15% travel for R&D events, technical demos, collaboration sessions, and customer or mission-focused engagements. Travel is planned in advance whenever possible and may include internal engineering sessions, customer-facing demonstrations, field events, or technical workshops.
About Rackner
Rackner is a software consultancy focused on building mission-critical systems for the U.S. government. Our teams work across cloud platforms, DevSecOps, AI/ML, distributed systems, and modern software engineering initiatives supporting federal agencies and national security missions.
Rackner engineers and technical teams collaborate closely with leadership, program teams, and mission stakeholders to design, demonstrate, and improve software systems that address complex operational challenges.
Benefits & Perks
Rackner invests in its people, because when you grow, we all win.
Company-supported certifications aligned to current and future program work, including cloud, Kubernetes, DevSecOps, security, AI/ML, project management, and related technical areas
Clear advancement tracks and future leadership opportunities
401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
Generous PTO and paid holidays
Home-office equipment plan and remote work support
Fitness and wellness reimbursement
Weekly pay schedule and modern perks, including team events
Equal Opportunity
Rackner is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.
group id: 91109049