Senior Software Engineer - Backend

Dominion Dynamics; Ottawa, Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health benefits

Company equity

Job summary

Dominion Dynamics seeks a senior/backend engineer to design and ship distributed backend services for AuraNet, using Python and Rust. You will tackle low-latency networking, security-focused delivery, and edge deployments, working across autonomous platforms and simulations.

You will influence architecture and engineering standards while mentoring teammates. The role involves ownership of AuraNet components, with flexibility to shift focus as priorities evolve within a small, mission-driven team

Qualifications

• Senior or Staff-level experience designing and shipping distributed systems in production.
• Strong backend engineering in Python and/or Rust, and willingness to work in both.
• Solid networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, UDP, and publish/subscribe architectures.
• Working knowledge of security concepts, including end-to-end encryption, PKI, authentication and authorization.
• Hands-on experience with containers and deploying services outside a standard cloud environment.
• Sound judgment, and you move fast without cutting corners on quality.
• Low ego and a get-it-done attitude. You're comfortable owning your work.
• Eligibility for Canadian security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and build backend services in Python and Rust for data ingestion, processing and real-time distribution across AuraNet.
• Build and tune networking for low-latency, end-to-end encrypted communication over mesh and non-cloud links.
• Bring a security-first approach to the platform, including authentication, PKI and encrypted transport.
• Package and deploy services in containers that run reliably on edge hardware with limited connectivity.
• Integrate backend systems with autonomous platforms, flight stacks and simulation environments as needed.
• Shape platform architecture and engineering standards through design reviews and mentoring.
• Move across AuraNet and related projects as priorities change.

Skills

Python

Rust

Distributed systems

Backend engineering

Networking fundamentals

Security concepts

Containers

Edge deployment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Zenoh

Job description

Reports to: Director of Software

Type: Full-Time

Location: Ottawa or Toronto

Location

AuraNet is Dominion Dynamics' mesh networking platform for autonomous assets working in contested and disconnected environments. It has to move data securely and in real time over links that aren't conventional wired networks, where bandwidth is scarce, connections drop, and the cloud may not be reachable at all. Keeping that working is the job.

You'll design and build the backend systems behind AuraNet in Python and Rust, across distributed systems, networking and security. You'll own an area of AuraNet or a project built on it, and move to where the work matters most as priorities shift. We're a small team building sovereign Canadian capability for the people who use it in the field. We value engineers who make good decisions quickly, ship quality work, and set the bar for the engineers who join after them.

What You'll Do

• Design and build backend services in Python and Rust for data ingestion, processing and real-time distribution across AuraNet.

• Build and tune networking for low-latency, end-to-end encrypted communication over mesh, intermittent and non-cloud links.

• Bring a security-first approach to the platform, including authentication, PKI and encrypted transport, and add depth to the team's security work.

• Package and deploy services in containers that run reliably on edge hardware with limited connectivity.

• Integrate backend systems with autonomous platforms, flight stacks and simulation environments as the work requires.

• Shape platform architecture and engineering standards through design reviews, code reviews and mentoring.

• Move across AuraNet and related projects as priorities change, picking up whatever needs to ship next.

What You Bring

• Senior or Staff-level experience designing and shipping distributed systems in production.

• Strong backend engineering in Python and/or Rust, and willingness to work in both.

• Solid networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, UDP, and publish/subscribe architectures.

• Working knowledge of security concepts, including end-to-end encryption, PKI, authentication and authorization.

• Hands-on experience with containers and deploying services outside a standard cloud environment.

• Sound judgment, and you move fast without cutting corners on quality.

• Low ego and a get-it-done attitude. You're comfortable owning your work and changing focus when the team needs it.

• Eligibility for Canadian security clearance.

Nice to Have

• Experience with mesh networking, tactical or degraded networks, or radio and satellite communications.

• Familiarity with Zenoh or similar messaging technologies.

• Experience integrating with robotics, UAV or autonomous platforms (MAVLink, ArduPilot).

• Exposure to simulation environments such as Gazebo or Unreal Engine.

• Background in security engineering or a security-focused role.

• Experience in defence or another regulated environment.

No defence background required.

We've hired people who didn't tick every box.

Why Join Us

Building something meaningful starts with the right people.

At Dominion Dynamics, you’ll:

• Shape Canada’s future by building real defence capability for the CAF and our allies.

• Make decisions that ship in a high-trust environment with short feedback loops and rapid iteration.

• Move fast, field faster, and work directly with the operator — our systems are in the field with the CAF now.

• Have an impact from day one with equity, responsibility, and direct access to leadership.

If you’re curious, hands-on, and driven by the opportunity to make a difference, this is where you belong!

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary and company equity*

• Comprehensive health benefits

• Additional equity granted based on impact*

We use AI tools to support parts of the hiring process, including screening and reviewing responses. Final hiring decisions are always made by people and follow all applicable privacy and employment laws in Canada.

*Equity awarded to full time employees only.