Principal Software Engineer (Remote) - 27014
Mission Technologies, a division of HII · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $190,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Build and scale critical backend systems.
- Manage trillions of records daily.
- Develop robust API endpoints and services.
- Optimize open-source software like Trino.
- Automate deployment processes using Kubernetes.
About the role
Principal Software Engineer
Enlighten, honored as a Top Workplace from USA Today, is a leader in big data solution development and deployment, with expertise in cloud-based services, software and systems engineering, cyber capabilities, and data science. Enlighten provides continued innovation and proactivity in meeting our customers’ greatest challenges.
We recognize that the most effective environment for your projects doesn’t always look the same. Our hybrid work approach ensures that you can make lasting relationships with your team and collaborate in-person to get the job done—while having the flexibility to work from home when needed to achieve focused results.
Why Enlighten?
Benefits
At Enlighten, our team’s unwavering work ethic, top talent and celebration of innovative ideas have helped us thrive. We know that our employees are essential to our company’s success, so we seek to take care of you as much as you take care of us. Here are a few highlights of our benefits package:
- 100% paid employee premium for healthcare, vision and dental plans.
- 10% 401k benefit.
- Generous PTO + 10 paid holidays.
- Education/training allowances.
Anticipated Salary Range: $143,507.00 - $245,000.00. The salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, Enlighten takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function, internal equity and a candidate's education or training, work experience, certifications and key skills. Occasionally positions/roles may include additional non-recurrent compensation and will be addressed by the recruiter during the interview process.
Job Description
Enlighten is looking to hire exceptional Principal Software Engineers to join our high-impact engineering team. We build and operate critical backend systems that manage trillions of records, ingest billions of new records daily, and service hundreds of thousands of queries per day across the Department of Defense (DoD). Our team values getting things done efficiently, fostering a low-ego environment, and empowering our engineers with autonomy.
In this role, you'll be a key contributor to designing, building, and scaling this core infrastructure. You will tackle a diverse set of challenges, from developing robust API endpoints and modifying complex open-source systems like Trino, to architecting intricate identity federation solutions, managing large-scale data ingest, and streamlining our deployment automation. If you are a mature, pragmatic, and highly skilled developer who thrives on flexibility and making a tangible impact with minimal bureaucratic overhead, we want to talk to you.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain complex, scalable, and critical backend systems and services capable of handling massive data volumes and high query loads.
- Take full ownership of challenging technical projects, driving them from initial concept through to production and ongoing iteration.
- Engage with a variety of technical domains, including:
- Building and evolving RESTful APIs and backend services.
- Modifying, extending, and optimizing complex open-source software (e.g., Trino).
- Implementing and managing sophisticated identity federation solutions (e.g., Keycloak).
- Developing and operating large-scale data ingestion pipelines (e.g., using Airflow).
- Enhancing and automating deployment processes (CI/CD) using technologies like Kubernetes.
- Collaborate effectively within a team of experienced engineers, contributing to a culture of shared knowledge and mutual respect.
- Apply strong problem-solving skills to diagnose, debug, and resolve complex technical issues, ensuring system reliability and performance.
- Champion pragmatic and robust solutions, adapting quickly to new technologies and evolving business needs.
- Operate with a high degree of independence in a low-process environment, taking initiative and driving results.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Security Clearance: A current U.S. Government Security Clearance is desired, but not required; U.S. Citizenship required. Can also consider candidates with a current Secret or TS level clearance.
- 15+ years of experience as a software engineer, designing, developing, and deploying complex backend systems and a Bachelors in related field or 13 years experience with Masters; or High School Diploma and 19 years experience.
- Proficiency in one or more of our primary backend languages: Java, Python, Go.
- Experience working with or modifying Trino (or similar distributed SQL query engines).
- Experience with containerization and orchestration, particularly Kubernetes.
- Familiarity with PostgreSQL or similar relational databases.
- A drive for pragmatic solutions with a strong bias for action and a
Skills & topics
- Principal Software Engineer
- Backend Development
- Big Data
- Cloud Services
- Software Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Cyber Security
- Data Science
- API Development
- Trino
- Kubernetes
- Java
- Python
- Go
- CI/CD
- Identity Federation
- Data Ingestion
- Remote
- DoD
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 15+ years of backend development experience, focusing on complex systems, Trino, Kubernetes, and specific languages like Java, Python, or Go.
- Showcase your impact: In your application and interviews, emphasize your ability to design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain scalable backend systems.
- Demonstrate problem-solving skills: Be prepared to discuss your experience debugging intricate issues and your systematic approach to resolving them.
- Highlight collaboration and autonomy: Share examples of working effectively in a team while also demonstrating your ability to work independently in a low-process environment.
- Express enthusiasm for the mission: Convey your interest in supporting the Department of Defense and contributing to high-impact engineering solutions.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the work arrangement for the Principal Software Engineer role at Enlighten?
- The Principal Software Engineer role at Enlighten is a fully remote position. However, if a candidate is located near one of Enlighten's office locations (Columbia, MD, San Antonio, TX, Boise, ID, Greenville, SC, and/or Augusta, GA), they may be asked to come into the office periodically to interact with the local team. The schedule for this would depend on the specific location and office cadence.
- What are the key technical skills required for the Principal Software Engineer position?
- Key technical skills for the Principal Software Engineer include proficiency in backend languages like Java, Python, or Go, experience with Trino or similar distributed SQL query engines, expertise in Kubernetes for containerization and orchestration, and familiarity with PostgreSQL or similar relational databases. Experience in building and maintaining API endpoints, modifying complex open-source projects, and deployment automation (CI/CD) are also crucial.
- What kind of experience is expected for a Principal Software Engineer at Enlighten?
- Enlighten expects a significant amount of experience for this role, typically 15+ years as a software engineer designing, developing, and deploying complex backend systems. A Bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred, but extensive experience can substitute. The company values a pragmatic approach, a bias for action, and a collaborative, low-ego mindset.
- Does Enlighten offer a good benefits package for their Principal Software Engineers?
- Yes, Enlighten offers a comprehensive benefits package. Highlights include 100% paid employee premiums for healthcare, vision, and dental plans, a 10% 401k benefit, generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plus 10 paid holidays, and education/training allowances. You can find more details on their website.
- Is a security clearance required for the Principal Software Engineer job at Enlighten?
- A U.S. Government Security Clearance is desired but not strictly required for the Principal Software Engineer role; U.S. Citizenship is mandatory. Enlighten will consider candidates who currently hold a Secret or TS level clearance.
- What is the anticipated salary range for a Principal Software Engineer at Enlighten?
- The anticipated salary range for the Principal Software Engineer position at Enlighten is $143,507.00 to $245,000.00 annually. This range is an estimate, and the final offer will consider factors such as the role's responsibilities, internal equity, and the candidate's specific qualifications.
- What does 'low-ego environment' mean in the context of Enlighten's Principal Software Engineer role?
- A 'low-ego environment' at Enlighten means that the team prioritizes collaboration, mutual respect, and effective problem-solving over individual recognition. It suggests a culture where engineers feel comfortable sharing ideas, giving and receiving feedback constructively, and focusing on the collective success of the project and team, rather than personal prestige.