Software Engineer (Java, Python)

About The Company Enlighten, honored as a Top Workplace from USA Today, is a leading organization specializing in big data solution development and deployment. The company boasts expertise in cloud-based services, software and systems engineering, cyber capabilities, and data science.

Enlighten is committed to continuous innovation and proactive strategies to address its clients' most significant challenges. The organization values a flexible and collaborative work environment, recognizing that effective project execution often requires a blend of in-person and remote work arrangements. This hybrid approach fosters strong team relationships while offering the flexibility necessary for focused productivity.

About The Role We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Backend Developer to join our high-impact engineering team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining critical backend systems that handle trillions of records, ingest billions of new records daily, and support hundreds of thousands of queries across the Department of Defense (DoD).

Your work will directly influence the robustness and scalability of our core infrastructure, enabling mission-critical operations. The ideal candidate is pragmatic, autonomous, and thrives in a low-bureaucracy environment, with a passion for delivering efficient, scalable, and reliable backend solutions. You will work on diverse technical challenges, including developing API endpoints, modifying open-source systems like Trino, architecting identity federation solutions, managing large-scale data pipelines, and streamlining deployment automation.

Qualifications

• Current U.S. Government Security Clearance (Secret, TS, or higher) preferred; U.S. Citizenship required.
• 15+ years of experience as a software engineer in designing, developing, and deploying complex backend systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field; or 13+ years of experience with a Master’s degree; or 19+ years of experience with a high school diploma.
• Proficiency in backend programming languages such as Java, Python, or Go.
• Experience working with or modifying Trino or similar distributed SQL query engines.
• Hands-on experience with containerization and orchestration tools, particularly Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with relational databases like PostgreSQL.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Experience building and maintaining scalable API endpoints and backend services.
• Knowledge of identity federation protocols and solutions such as Keycloak.
• Proficiency in deployment automation and CI/CD practices and tools.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of working independently in a low-process environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain scalable and reliable backend systems capable of handling large data volumes and high query loads.
• Take ownership of challenging technical projects, from conception through production and iterative improvements.
• Develop and evolve RESTful APIs and backend services to meet operational needs.
• Modify, extend, and optimize complex open-source software such as Trino to suit project requirements.
• Implement and manage advanced identity federation solutions, ensuring secure and seamless access control.
• Develop, operate, and optimize large-scale data ingestion pipelines using tools like Airflow.
• Enhance deployment processes through automation, leveraging technologies like Kubernetes for container orchestration.
• Collaborate effectively with a team of experienced engineers, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and mutual respect.
• Diagnose, debug, and resolve intricate technical issues to ensure system reliability and performance.
• Apply pragmatic and robust solutions, quickly adapting to new technologies and evolving project needs.
• Engage in other duties as assigned to support team and organizational objectives.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee premiums for healthcare, vision, and dental plans.
• 10% 401(k) retirement benefit.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) plus 10 paid holidays annually.
• Education and training allowances to support professional growth.
• Flexible hybrid work environment promoting work-life balance.
• Opportunities for remote work or in-office collaboration at select locations.

Equal Opportunity Enlighten is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable law. We believe diversity enhances our innovation and success and are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals.