Principal Software Engineer - TS/SCI

Sunayu Llc; Bethesda, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training & Education Assistance

401k with match

PTO & Holidays

Medical/Dental/Vision

Job summary

Sunayu, LLC is seeking a Principal Software Engineer (TS/SCI) in Bethesda, MD. You will build scalable Python microservices interfacing with Kafka and Elasticsearch, deployed in Kubernetes, with a focus on secure, observable systems for a data-centric, cloud-leaning architecture.

You will lead design discussions, code reviews, and mentorship, while ensuring robust CI/CD processes and production-grade reliability across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12+ years of relevant experience or Master’s with 10+ years; experience can substitute for degree.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with ability to obtain Polygraph.
• Strong Python backend and related frameworks (e.g., FastAPI, Flask).
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes in production.
• Exposure to Kafka and Elasticsearch integrations.
• Linux development environment with scripting.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain Python microservices.
• Implement Kafka consumers/producers for real-time messaging.
• Integrate with Elasticsearch for indexing and search.
• Write tests; ensure code coverage and reliability.
• Build CI/CD pipelines; deploy in Kubernetes clusters.
• Participate in design reviews, architecture planning, and telemetry.
• Troubleshoot production issues using observability tools.
• Contribute to documentation and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate across teams to deliver quality services.

Skills

Python

FastAPI/Flask

RESTful APIs

Kubernetes

Docker

Apache Kafka

Elasticsearch

Linux/bash

Git

CI/CD

AGILE

Security clearance TS/SCI

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Git

Job description

Category: Principal Software Engineer - TS/SCI

Location: Bethesda, MD

Clearance: TS/SCI

Travel Required: NoRemote Type: No

Sunayu, LLC is looking for a skilled Python developer to join our team to build and maintain scalable microservices that interface with Kafka for real-time messaging and Elasticsearch for data indexing and search. You'll deploy and monitor your services in a Kubernetes environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams in designing reliable, observable, and secure systems. Our client’s overall mission is to design and implement a data centric architecture that leverages cloud-based computing, artificial intelligence (Al), machine learning (ML) and cross-domain transfer systems.

You will work closely with the team on the following key tasks

• Design, develop, test, and maintain Python microservices
• Implement message consumers and producers with Apache Kafka
• Integrate with Elasticsearch for real-time and batch data indexing and querying
• Write unit and integration tests; ensure high code coverage and reliability
• Build CI/CD pipelines for your services and deploy them in Kubernetes clusters
• Participate in design discussions, code reviews, and architecture planning
• Monitor and troubleshoot production issues with observability tools
• Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing within the team
• Utilizes software engineering and design methodologies appropriate to the development, integration, and production environment
• Foster an environment of collaboration with the different team members in the goal of providing quality service and product to our customers

To be successful in this role you need these skills (required):

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12 or more years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10 or more years of prior relevant experience. Experience can be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Must possess an Active Top Secret/SCI clearance and ability to obtain and maintain a Polygraph
• Proficiency in Python and related backend frameworks (e.g., FastAPI, Flask).
• Experience with containerization, especially with Docker
• Experience in Extraction, Transformation, and Load (ETL)
• Hands-on development experience in a Linux environment including bash or bash-like scripting
• Strong understanding of RESTful APIs and microservice architecture
• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes: deploying, monitoring, and debugging services
• Understanding of common design patterns, security practices, and logging/monitoring principles
• Familiarity with Git and collaborative workflows (PRs, reviews)
• Experience with DevOps practices and tools including Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools and practices, especially Gitlab or Jenkins
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with AGILE practices
• Enthusiastic with the ability to work well in a team and a self-starter who can work on their own

You will wow us even more if you have some of these skills:

• Experience with designing and implementing software development kits
• Familiarity DGX (Deep GPU Xceleration)
• Active Security+ certification and ability to obtain Privileged User Account (PUA) certification by the Government
• Elasticsearch certifications or other program stack related certifications
• Experience of a production/enterprise systems at scale
• Knowledge of distributed systems concepts (e.g., idempotency, eventual consistency)
• Familiarity with schema registries and Kafka streaming patterns
• Experience blending analytical methodologies and leveraging existing COTS/GOTS/OS tools in an unconventional manner.
• Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS/C2S)
• Familiarity or experience with building applications around Large Language Models, Agentic AI

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Who We Are

Sunayu, LLC serves as a premier technology partner to the Defense and Intelligence communities, delivering mission-critical engineering solutions across the nation. Our operations are anchored in a commitment to trust, accountability, and ethical transparency, ensuring the high-performance outcomes necessary to protect our country's most vital interests.

Culture

Our strength lies in our community: Our team prioritizes collaboration, professional growth, and encourages open communication. At Sunayu, we don't just secure the mission—we grow together.

Career Development

We support and encourage our team members to continue their professional growth by providing company-reimbursed training and continuing education of up to $5,000 per year. We also participate in many industry conferences and events where we share our expertise and experiences.

Pay Rate

Salary range considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits

• 3 Medical Plan Options
• Dental and Vision
• FSA, DCFSA, HSA
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Training and Educational Assistance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Federal holidays
• 401k plan with up to a 6% match (100% immediate vesting)

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sunayu, LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, marital status, genetic information, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.