Senior Software Engineer

This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.

Who we are

Raft ( is a customer‑obsessed non‑traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S. military and government agencies with cutting‑edge AI/ML and data solutions. We are a leader in autonomous data fusion and Agentic AI, with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. With headquarters in McLean, VA, our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting‑edge tech stack, and cloud‑native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

About the role

In your role as a Software Engineer, you will lead the design and development of scalable, data‑intensive backend systems that power Raft's flagship products. You'll help architect and implement robust solutions using Golang and/or Java while ensuring security, performance, and reliability across mission‑critical applications. As a hands‑on technical leader, you'll mentor junior and mid‑level engineers while spending significant time writing code and solving complex technical challenges. You'll work closely with customers at deployment sites, gathering feedback and implementing improvements to enhance the real‑world performance of Raft's products in operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of scalable, data‑intensive backend systems powering flagship products.
• Architect and implement robust solutions using Golang and/or Java.
• Ensure security, performance, and reliability across mission‑critical applications.
• Mentor junior and mid‑level engineers while writing code and solving complex challenges.
• Collaborate with customers at deployment sites to gather feedback and implement improvements.

What we are looking for

• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in backend software engineering with expertise in Golang and/or Java
• Proven experience building and scaling data‑intensive systems and distributed architectures
• Deep understanding of DevSecOps principles and practices, including ICAM (Identity, Credential, and Access Management)
• Hands‑on experience with Kubernetes, Helm charts, and Kubernetes operators
• Strong experience with cloud‑native architectures and microservices design patterns
• Experience with data processing frameworks, streaming technologies, and high‑throughput systems
• Knowledge of security best practices for enterprise and government systems
• Proven track record of mentoring and developing engineering talent
• Passion for staying current with emerging technologies and evaluating their impact
• Experience designing modular, extensible systems that enable technology evolution and component replacement based on user needs
• Proficiency with Agentic AI coding tools and understanding their capabilities, limitations, and when to leverage them for accelerated development
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to architect solutions for complex technical challenges
• Strong communication skills with ability to work effectively with both technical teams and customers
• Fast learner, analytical thinker, creative, hands‑on approach to technical leadership
• Ability to thrive in fast‑paced environments and manage multiple technical priorities

Highly preferred

• Experience with highly regulated industries (defense, aerospace, finance, healthcare) or environments requiring stringent security and compliance standards
• Familiarity with classification levels and secure development practices
• Experience with edge computing and tactical deployment considerations
• Knowledge of AI/ML infrastructure and data pipeline architectures
• Experience with container orchestration in air‑gapped or disconnected environments
• Background in distributed systems, event‑driven architectures, and real‑time data processing
• Experience working directly with customers in operational environments
• Contributions to open‑source projects or technical publications

Clearance Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain an active TS‑SCI security clearance
• Preference for candidates with an active clearance

Work Type

• Onsite at Hanscom AFB, MA 3‑5 days per week
• Foreign and domestic travel up to 30% to customer sites and deployment locations

Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $220,000.00

What we will offer you

• Highly competitive salary
• Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) and company match
• Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays
• And More!

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.