Software Developer / IT Specialist

Software Developer / IT Specialist

Company: Rugged Science

Department: Engineering / IT

Rugged Science builds rugged computer systems for the U.S. military and some of the most innovative industrial companies in the world, and business is growing fast. We are seeking a versatile, self-motivated Software Developer / IT Specialist with a can-do attitude.

About the Role

This position splits its time between two things: building and maintaining the internal web applications our team runs on every day and keeping the IT infrastructure behind them healthy. You will work alongside the developer who built our current systems, with room to take real ownership of both areas as you grow into the role.

We are open to on-the-job training. You do not need to have worked with every tool in our stack, but you should have solid fundamentals in core development concepts, SQL, networking, and containers, and the curiosity to pick up the rest quickly.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain the internal web applications our employees use daily, working across a Python REST API and a TypeScript front end.

• Write and tune SQL queries against our ERP database and our own PostgreSQL schemas, and help keep internal reporting accurate.

• Package and deploy applications as Docker containers through our GitLab CI/CD pipelines.

• Handle day-to-day internal IT support: user accounts, workstations, printers, shop-floor terminals, and company mobile devices.

• Keep self-hosted services such as databases, caches, reverse proxies, and our internal wiki patched, backed up, and monitored.

• Troubleshoot issues reported across engineering, production, and the front office, and follow each one through to a resolution.

• Document what you build and what you fix in our internal wiki so the next person can follow it.

• Work with the team to replace manual, spreadsheet-driven processes with tools people actually want to use.

Requirements include:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.

• 2+ years in a software development, IT support, or systems administration role.

• Working knowledge of SQL: writing queries with joins, filtering, and aggregates, and understanding how tables relate to one another.

• Solid networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, subnetting, VLANs, and basic firewall rules.

• Familiarity with Docker concepts: images versus containers, what a Dockerfile does, and how containers get networking and persistent storage.

• Experience writing code in at least one language. Python, TypeScript, or JavaScript is preferred, but we care more about fundamentals than a specific language.

• Comfort on the Linux command line and with Git for version control.

• The ability to read a log file or an error message and work a problem methodically rather than by guesswork.

• Clear written communication. You will document your own work and explain technical issues to coworkers who are not technical.

Preferred Qualifications

None of these are required. Each one shortens the ramp, and we are happy to train the rest.

• Experience with a Python web framework such as Flask, FastAPI, or Django, and with an ORM such as SQLAlchemy.

• Front-end experience with TypeScript, web components (Lit), and a modern build tool such as Vite.

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, particularly GitLab CI.

• Experience running containers beyond a laptop: Docker Compose, container registries, and a reverse proxy such as nginx or Traefik.

• PostgreSQL administration, including backups, restores, upgrades, and basic query tuning.

• Exposure to an ERP or MRP system and its underlying database. We run Global Shop Solutions, but experience with any ERP translates well.

• Experience building or supporting a Progressive Web App.

• Windows Server and Active Directory administration, Group Policy, and Microsoft 365 or Entra ID administration.

• Experience with monitoring, alerting, or backup tooling.

• Experience supporting users in a manufacturing or production environment.

• Familiarity with ITAR, DFARS, or CMMC requirements as they apply to IT systems.

• Networking coursework or certification such as CompTIA Network+ or CCNA.

Working Environment

This is a hands-on, on-site role on a small team, which means the person doing the work is usually the person deciding how it gets done. You will sit close to the people who use what you build, and you will see the results of your work the same week you ship it.

Expect a mix of planned project work and interruptions. Some weeks lean toward development, others toward keeping things running, and part of the job is judging which one needs you more. Occasional after-hours work is required for maintenance windows and infrastructure changes that cannot happen during production hours.

This position is a good fit for someone who wants broad exposure across software and infrastructure rather than a narrow specialty, and who would rather own a problem end to end than hand it off.

Why Join Us:

• Competitive salary and benefits package

• On-the-job training and a clear path to owning your areas outright

• Real influence over the tools the whole company uses every day

• Collaborative and supportive team environment

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth

• Be part of a dynamic company driving innovation and customer success