Senior Backend Engineer (Space Operations Intelligence & Autonomy)

Role overview

Join Slingshot Aerospace as a Senior Backend Engineer to build distributed systems, data platforms, and real-time services for intelligence, autonomy, and simulation products. You’ll help shape architecture, mentor teammates, and partner with AI/ML and autonomy engineers in a remote-first environment.

Key missions

• Build distributed systems, data platforms, and real-time services powering core products.
• Influence architectural direction and guide engineering execution.
• Collaborate with AI/ML and autonomy engineers.
• Participate in Agile development and software deployment processes.
• Provide ongoing support for critical services and applications.

Responsibilities

• Deliver backend services and platforms using the company’s stack and related technologies.
• Work with event-driven architectures and microservices.
• Ensure reliable CI/CD and strong collaboration with DevOps/infrastructure teams.

Requirements

• 5+ years of software development experience.
• Experience with backend stack, including Java/Kotlin, REST, and GraphQL (including subscriptions).
• Event-driven architectures (e.g., Kafka, CloudEvents), microservices, and distributed systems.
• Working knowledge of Git and CI/CD (e.g., GitHub Actions).
• Database design, performance, and troubleshooting with PostgreSQL and/or MongoDB.
• Containerization and orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, and orchestration tooling such as Helm / EKS.
• Cloud deployments on AWS, including PaaS/IaaS and Infrastructure as Code.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.
• Active security clearance required; Top Secret preferred.
• Degree in CS/engineering or related field.
• Ability to collaborate with data scientists to move AI/ML/LLM capabilities into production.
• Security compliance accreditation experience (e.g., NIST 800-53, DoD ILs, FedRAMP).

Nice to have

• Prior space/aerospace industry experience.
• Experience with simulation technologies such as HLA/DIS.
• Familiarity with QA practices and product-centric delivery.
• Experience integrating complex external systems via APIs.

Collaboration/Tech context

• Collaboration with DevOps and infrastructure teams.
• Experience delivering predictable outcomes with product partners.