Senior Backend Engineer, Space Operations Intelligence & Autonomy

Role Description

As a Senior Backend Software Engineer, you’ll build the distributed systems, data platforms, and real-time services that drive Slingshot’s intelligence, autonomy, and simulation products. Your work will enable advanced space domain awareness, autonomous maneuver planning, high-fidelity event detection, and mission-ready training environments for national security and commercial customers. You’ll influence architectural direction, mentor teammates, collaborate with AI/ML and autonomy engineers, and turn complex operational needs into scalable, high-reliability software that directly supports the safety and resilience of space operations.

Your Mission (Should you choose to accept it):

• Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s core values, mission, and purpose
• Work across the technology team with product managers, designers, and engineers to build rightsized solutions that advance Slingshot’s SOIA capabilities
• Meet product requirements in a timely manner while not compromising operational stability
• Participate in Agile software development and deployment processes
• Provide ongoing support for services and applications that are mission critical to real-time space operations intelligence
• Communicate methods, findings, and hypotheses with stakeholders
• Work across both frontend and backend services to deliver value to internal and external users
• Build data platforms/pipelines, microservices, interactions with AI agents, and distributed systems powering SOIA workflows
• Build and document APIs (REST, GraphQL) supporting high volume, real-time data flows
• Develop advanced data interfaces and interactive user experiences that streamline operator decision cycles
• Turn architecture ideas into technical specifications that can be executed by anyone on the team

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in software development
• 4-year degree in computer science, engineering, or related field
• Active security clearance required; Top Secret preferred
• Experience using our stack or similar technologies (Java/Kotlin, GraphQL/GraphQL subscriptions, REST, Docker, Kubernetes, React, Python)
• Adept in working with cloud-based deployments (AWS) including PaaS and IaaS offerings and Infrastructure-as-Code
• Capable working with containers and container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, EKS)
• Deep working knowledge of version control (Git) and CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions)
• Experience with event-driven architectures including Kafka and CloudEvents, data platforms, microservices, and distributed systems
• Knowledge of database design, performance, and troubleshooting (PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
• Skilled in collaborating with data scientists to incorporate AI/ML/LLM into production software
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Requirements

• Security compliance accreditation experience (NIST80053, DoD ILs, FedRAMP)
• Experience with software startups and product-centric organizations
• Knowledge of frontend technologies including React and Three.js
• Collaboration experience with DevOps and infrastructure teams
• Familiarity with QA practices
• Track record of predictable software delivery with Product partners
• Prior space or aerospace industry experience (bonus, not required)
• Experience integrating complex external systems via APIs
• Experience with simulation technologies like HLA/DIS

Benefits

• Salary Range: $150,000 - 200,000 + Benefits
• Location: Strong preference for Colorado Springs, CO for both roles
• US-based Candidates: Only able to hire residents of specific U.S. states
• Internationally-based Candidates: Only able to hire residents of the United Kingdom