Principal Software Engineer

MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 242,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Student loan repayment assistance

Adoption reimbursement

Pet insurance

Job summary

Vantor seeks a Principal Developer to design, build, and maintain mission-critical software for Object-Based Intelligence. You will craft backend services and APIs, and work with ontology services, knowledge graphs, and semantic databases to enable data interoperability.

In an Agile/DevSecOps environment, you will mentor others, contribute to design reviews and CI/CD, and ensure secure, scalable solutions that support government mission workflows.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and active TS/SCI with CI polygraph.
• 10 years of experience and an advanced degree or 15 years of experience with a bachelor's.
• Experience using Java, Python, C#, or similar OO languages.
• Experience building RESTful APIs, microservices, and distributed apps.
• Experience with relational/graph databases and enterprise data platforms.
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes/OpenShift.
• Familiarity with Agile, DevSecOps, CI/CD, and Git workflows.
• Ability to communicate complex tech to diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain enterprise applications for Object-Based Intelligence missions.
• Build scalable backend services, RESTful APIs, and user-facing apps integrated with ontology services and knowledge graphs.
• Use Semantic Web tech (RDF/OWL/SPARQL) for data integration and semantic search.
• Collaborate with engineers, analysts, and government stakeholders to translate mission needs into software.
• Develop secure, containerized apps using modern cloud-native practices.
• Integrate apps with relational/graph DBs, messaging, and enterprise APIs for seamless data access.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, design reviews, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Develop automated unit/integration/regression tests and support deployment pipelines.
• Troubleshoot, optimize performance, and ensure security and scalability.
• Produce design docs, API specs, and technical guides.
• Support AI/ML initiatives with semantic data access and enterprise analytics.
• Mentor junior developers and share knowledge with government personnel.

Skills

Java

Python

C#

RESTful APIs

Microservices

Docker

Kubernetes/OpenShift

DevSecOps

Git

Agile

Education

Advanced degree

Bachelor's degree + 15+ years experience

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes/OpenShift

RDF/OWL/SPARQL

Semantic Web technologies

Job description

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world. To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Citizen. This position requires an active U.S. Government security clearance, applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment for cleared roles is contingent upon verification of clearance status. Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Please review the job details below. Vantor is seeking a Principal Developer to join our team. In this position you will design, develop, and maintain mission-critical applications that support Object-Based Intelligence (OBI) mission requirements, enterprise ontologies, knowledge graphs, and semantic data integration. The Senior Developer serves as a senior technical contributor responsible for developing secure, scalable, and maintainable software solutions that enable semantic data integration, object management, and advanced analytics. This position develops application services, APIs, user interfaces, and backend components that leverage enterprise ontologies, knowledge graphs, and Semantic Web technologies to support data interoperability and mission workflows. Working within an Agile DevSecOps environment, the Senior Developer collaborates with ontology engineers, software engineers, database engineers, data engineers, and Government stakeholders to deliver high-quality software that supports operational mission requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain enterprise software applications supporting Object-Based Intelligence mission requirements.
• Develop scalable backend services, RESTful APIs, and user-facing applications that integrate with ontology services, knowledge graphs, semantic databases, and enterprise data platforms.
• Implement software solutions utilizing Semantic Web technologies, including RDF, OWL, and SPARQL, to support semantic search, data integration, and knowledge discovery.
• Collaborate with ontology engineers, database engineers, data engineers, analysts, and Government stakeholders to translate mission requirements into software solutions.
• Develop secure, containerized applications using modern software engineering principles and cloud-native technologies.
• Integrate applications with relational databases, graph databases, messaging systems, and enterprise APIs to enable seamless access to mission data.
• Participate in Agile development activities, including sprint planning, technical design reviews, code reviews, and backlog refinement.
• Develop automated unit, integration, and regression tests while supporting continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Troubleshoot and resolve software defects, optimize application performance, and ensure application scalability, reliability, and security.
• Produce and maintain software design documentation, API specifications, technical implementation guides, and operational documentation.
• Support AI/ML initiatives by developing software services that provide access to semantic data, contextual knowledge, and enterprise analytics capabilities.
• Mentor junior developers and provide technical guidance to project team members while supporting knowledge transfer activities with Government personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen and have an active TS/SCI with CI polygraph.
• 10 years of experience and an advanced degree or 15 years of experience with a bachelor's degree.
• Demonstrated experience developing enterprise software applications using Java, Python, C#, or comparable object-oriented programming languages.
• Experience developing RESTful APIs, microservices, and distributed applications.
• Experience integrating applications with relational databases, graph databases, or enterprise data platforms.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes/OpenShift.
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies, DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and Git-based version control.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Object-Based Intelligence, Intelligence Community, or Department of Defense mission systems.
• Experience developing applications that integrate with enterprise ontologies, knowledge graphs, or Semantic Web technologies, including RDF, OWL, and SPARQL.
• Experience with cloud-native application development using AWS, Azure, or Red Hat OpenShift.
• Experience integrating AI/ML services, large language models (LLMs), or advanced analytics capabilities into enterprise applications.
• Experience implementing secure software development practices in accordance with Government cybersecurity requirements and RMF principles.
• AWS Certified Developer, Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate, Red Hat Certified Specialist, Security+, or equivalent software development certification.
• Experience mentoring developers and providing technical leadership within Agile software development teams.

Pay Transparency: To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role.

The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $165,000.00 - $220,000.00 - $242,000.00 annually. For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

Benefits

• Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life.
• You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers

Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities in compliance with federal and state laws. If you need assistance with the online application or hiring process, please email [e-mail].