Principal Software Engineer

Description

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 small business with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development, with headquarters in Reston, 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.

We’re looking for an experienced Principal Software Engineer to support our customers and join our passionate team of high-impact problem solvers.

About the role:

As a Principal Software Engineer at our organization, you play a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of our software infrastructure. Your responsibilities extend beyond mere coding; you’re a navigator, leading multiple software teams through the complex labyrinth of production at an enormous scale.

With your profound knowledge, you anticipate challenges, spotting pitfalls long before they become obstacles. Our teams will rely on your foresight, expecting you to provide durable plans and robust mitigation strategies. This role is not just about guidance; it’s also about execution. You will be deeply involved in writing plugins, applications, webhooks, and modules that cater to the unique needs of multiple teams in our vast enterprise environment.

What we are looking for:

• 8+ years of hands-on full-stack software development experience (Java, Web services, Database, and/or web application development)

• 6+ years of programming experience with JavaScript, Java, and preferably one more programming language (Python, etc)

• Experience with DevSecOps tools and processes such as Git, Concourse, GitLabCI, SonarQube, Fortify, and ThreadFix

• Experience with front end frameworks like React or Vue

• Experience with Extreme Programming practices (Test-Driven Development, Pair Programming, CI/CD, etc.)

• Experience contributing to software architecture and design (architecture, design patterns, reliability and scaling) of both new and existing systems

• Experience using container technologies such as Docker or Kubernetes

• Experience with SW design and architecture patterns

• Works well within a highly experienced team and is able to make decisions that align to the teams’ north stars

• Able to guide and mentor more junior members of the team

• Interested in solving hard problems in the Big Data space with complex data domains such as time series and geospatial data

• Bachelors in Computer Science / Engineering / Physics / Mathematics background

• Obtain Security+ within the first 90 days of employment with Raft

Highly preferred:

• Hands-on experience with time-series data in PostgreSQL or another SQL-flavored database

• Active Secret (or higher) security clearance

Clearance Requirements:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance

Work Type:

• Remote

• May require up to 10% travel

Salary Range:

• $160,000 - $240,000

• The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilities

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

• Education & training benefits

• Annual budget for your tech/gadgets needs

• Monthly box of yummy snacks to eat while doing meaningful work

• Remote, hybrid, and flexible work options

• Team off-site in fun places!

• Generous Referral Bonuses

• And More!

Our Vision Statement:

We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission.

Our Customer Obsession:

We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.

How do we get there?

Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm.

Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.

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.