Principal Software Engineer

Position Summary

Base-2 Solutions is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to support a long-term DIA-NDOC DOMEX Technology Platform contract. The role focuses on developing and maintaining scalable Python microservices that interface with Apache Kafka and Elasticsearch, deploying and monitoring services in Kubernetes environments, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to design reliable, observable, secure, and mission-focused systems. The position is primarily on-site in Bethesda, MD, with occasional remote work based on client requirements and deliverables.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain Python microservices.
• Implement message consumers and producers with Apache Kafka.
• Integrate with Elasticsearch for real-time and batch data indexing and querying.
• Write unit and integration tests and ensure high code coverage and reliability.
• Build continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines and deploy services in Kubernetes clusters.
• Participate in design discussions, code reviews, and architecture planning.
• Monitor and troubleshoot production issues using observability tools.
• Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Apply software engineering and design methodologies appropriate to the development, integration, and production environment.
• Foster collaboration among team members to provide quality service and products to customers.

Required Qualifications

• Software engineering experience meeting an applicable education and experience pathway in the equivalency section.
• Proficiency in Python and related backend frameworks, such as FastAPI and Flask.
• Experience with containerization, especially Docker.
• Experience in Extraction, Transformation, and Load (ETL).
• Hands-on development experience in a Linux environment, including bash or bash-like scripting.
• Strong understanding of RESTful APIs and microservice architecture.
• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, including deploying, monitoring, and debugging services.
• Understanding of common design patterns, security practices, and logging and monitoring principles.
• Familiarity with Git and collaborative workflows, including pull requests and reviews.
• Experience with DevOps practices and tools, including Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools and practices, especially GitLab or Jenkins.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with Agile practices.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently as a self-starter.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing software development kits.
• Familiarity with DGX (Deep GPU Xceleration).
• Active Security+ certification and ability to obtain Privileged User Account (PUA) certification by the Government.
• Elasticsearch certifications or other program stack-related certifications.
• Experience with production or enterprise systems at scale.
• Knowledge of distributed systems concepts, such as idempotency and eventual consistency.
• Familiarity with schema registries and Kafka streaming patterns.
• Experience blending analytical methodologies and leveraging existing COTS/GOTS/OS tools in an unconventional manner.
• Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS/C2S).
• Familiarity or experience building applications around Large Language Models and Agentic AI.

Required Education and Experience Equivalency

• Bachelor's degree with 12 or more years of prior relevant experience.
• Master's degree with 10 or more years of prior relevant experience.
• Additional relevant experience in lieu of a degree.

Required Certifications

• None specified.

Required Security Clearance

• Active Top Secret/SCI