Principal Software Engineer

Awetomaton is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to set and uphold the technical bar for a cloud-native, event-driven system used across a national intelligence enterprise. You'll own the architecture patterns, the quality gate, and the build environment - staying close to the code while guiding a team of engineers through design and delivery. The ideal candidate will possess a BS degree or higher and have 15+ years of experience (or Masters & 12+ years experience). This position will be performed out of Dayton, OH, with relocation packages available for out-of-state talent. Active DoD Top Secret security clearance required. Criteria for success Own the technical approach and code-quality standard across development; lead design reviews and establish patterns for cloud-native, event-driven microservices. Guide development, refactoring, integration, and deployment of enterprise data services to government cloud environments. Own the software build environment and end-item source delivery to the government source-code repository, including version history and reproducible builds. Ensure deliveries meet the no-major-defect (Category 1/2) threshold and align to agile artifacts and required contract documentation. Mentor engineers; serve as the technical liaison to the SME and government technical leads. Required Experience and Skills Active TS/SCI. 15+ years of software engineering experience (or MS + 12), including 5+ years leading cloud-native microservice teams. Deep, hands-on experience with containers and Kubernetes, modern backend languages (Go, Java, and/or Python), and REST plus asynchronous/event-driven APIs. Demonstrated ownership of secure SDLC practices and CI/CD-based delivery. Experience leading teams in an Agile/Scrum environment. Desired Education and Experience CKA or CKAD certification; relevant Scrum certification. BS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience). About Awetomaton We build software that enables humans to make informed decisions from raw intel data, with a specialization in satellite collection. We are a Dayton-based defense startup that believes there is a critical skill & culture gap – one we are filling with high-output, mission-focused engineering talent. Results matter to our customers. We've never lost a customer because we deliver what they need. Awetomaton is where you do work that matters with a passionate team in an environment that inspires your creativity. Benefits Flexible time off totaling 36 days / year. No approvals required. 100% 401(k) company match up to IRS annual limits. This is a benefit of up to $24,500 for 2026. Health plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield with Health Savings Account (HSA). We pay 95% of employee premiums including family plans. Employee favorite: Tech and Wellness reimbursement of $3000 / year. Treat yourself with the newest gadgets or athletic gear. No approvals required. Annual profit sharing as 401(k) contribution. No set percent and dependent on annual company performance. Benefit is above and beyond 401(k) match. MacBook laptop and well-equipped office spaces for optimal productivity in office and on-the-go. #J-18808-Ljbffr