Senior / SME Software Developer – Java / Python

Next Tier Concepts, Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits program

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

NT Concepts seeks a Senior/SME Software Engineer with deep Java or Python expertise to lead architecture and delivery of mission-critical systems. You will shape data pipelines, microservices, and APIs, working in a cloud-native, secure IC environment.

Expect hands-on coding plus technical leadership in a fast-paced, agile team. The role requires an active TS/SCI with CI Poly and is local to the DC Metro area with remote flexibility.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Polygraph
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of professional software engineering experience
• 10+ years of progressive software engineering and architectural leadership ( SME)
• Deep production expertise in Java or Python
• Experience with RESTful APIs and microservices architectures
• Database experience with SQL and NoSQL systems
• Cloud and containerization using Docker and Kubernetes
• CI/CD pipelines and secure coding practices
• Agile/Scrum delivery experience

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and implement backend applications, microservices, and data pipelines
• Provide technical leadership and SME guidance across the program
• Lead API design, system integration, and secure interfaces
• Architect data transformation pipelines with SQL/NoSQL databases
• Drive cloud-native designs and container orchestration in secure IC clouds
• Ensure security, high availability, and low latency
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate needs into technical roadmaps

Skills

Java

Python

Spring Boot

FastAPI

Django

Cloud AWS

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Security

Architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

Docker

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Elasticsearch

Azure

Job description

We are seeking an accomplished Senior to SME-level Software Engineer with deep expertise in Java or Python to join our team. Working at NT Concepts means that you are part of an innovative, agile company dedicated to solving the most critical challenges in National Security. We’re looking for high-caliber technical leaders to join us in supporting this mission. If meaningful work, initiative, technical leadership, and continuous self-improvement are important to your career, join our growing team and discover What’s Next for you.

Mission Focus: As a senior technical leader on our solutions delivery team, you will have the unique opportunity to shape and drive programs advancing critical government systems. NT Concepts is seeking a Senior / SME Developer to lead and architect solutions for an exciting data transformation and system modernization initiative within the Intelligence Community (IC).

Clearance : Active TS/SCI CI Poly

Location/Flexibility: Local to the DC Metro Area, Remote Flexible

Responsibilities** **

In this role, you will provide technical leadership, architectural guidance, and hands‑on engineering to design and implement mission‑critical systems and data pipelines using Java and/or Python.

• Architecture & Development: Architect, design, and implement resilient, scalable backend applications, microservices, and distributed data processing pipelines using Java (e.g., Spring Boot) or Python (e.g., FastAPI, Django, distributed frameworks).
• Technical Leadership & SME Guidance: Serve as the subject matter expert on software architecture, design patterns, and engineering standards across the program; mentor team members and lead technical design sessions.
• API & System Integration: Lead the design and implementation of enterprise RESTful APIs, event‑driven architectures, and secure interfaces across complex multi‑system environments.
• Data Transformation & Modernization: Architect and optimize robust data storage, ingestion, and transformation pipelines utilizing complex SQL and NoSQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Elasticsearch).
• Cloud & Infrastructure Strategy: Drive cloud‑native application designs and container orchestration strategies (Docker, Kubernetes) within secure IC cloud environments (AWS / Azure).
• Security & Performance Engineering: Ensure systems meet the highest standards of security compliance, zero‑trust architecture, high availability, and low‑latency performance.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner closely with government stakeholders, product managers, and systems architects to translate complex operational needs into clear technical roadmaps and actionable solutions.

Qualifications

• Security Clearance: Must possess an active TS/SCI with CI Polygraph.
• Senior Level: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field and 7+ years of professional software engineering experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• SME Level: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field and 10+ years of progressive software engineering and architectural leadership experience.
• Core Languages: Deep production expertise in Java (Java 11/17+, Spring Framework / Spring Boot) OR Python (Python 3.x, FastAPI, Flask, async programming), with the versatility to work across both environments.
• System Design & Architecture: Proven track record of designing scalable, loosely coupled, and fault‑tolerant microservices architectures and enterprise APIs.
• Database Architecture: Advanced experience with relational data modeling, query optimization, and NoSQL solutions (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB, DynamoDB, Elasticsearch).
• Cloud & Containerization: Hands‑on experience architecting and deploying solutions in secure cloud environments (AWS, Azure) using Docker and Kubernetes.
• DevOps & CI/CD: Strong understanding of continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and secure coding practices.
• Methodologies: Strong background working within and guiding Agile/Scrum delivery teams.

Preferred / Desired Skills:

• Experience with large-scale data transformation, ETL/ELT pipelines, or distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Apache Spark, Kafka, AWS Glue/EMR).
• Experience architecting solutions within high‑security or air‑gapped AWS environments (e.g., AWS GovCloud / C2S).
• Relevant technical certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Kubernetes Administrator, or relevant language certifications)

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift to 10-15 pounds at times.

The pay range listed for this position reflects the wage or salary range NT Concepts expects to pay for this role at the time of posting. The compensation offered to a successful candidate within this range will be based on legitimate, job‑related factors, including (but not limited to) the candidate’s work location, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract‑specific affordability and organizational requirements.

Virginia Pay Range

$120,336—$180,504 USD

About NT Concepts

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in the Washington DC Metro area, NT Concepts is a private, mid‑tier company with clients spanning the Intelligence and Defense communities. We deliver end‑to‑enddata and technology solutions that advance the modernization, transformation, and automation of the national security mission—solutions with real impact developed in a strong engineering culture that encourages technical growth, leadership, and creative “big idea” problem‑solving.

Employees are the core of NT Concepts. We understand that world‑changing concepts happen in collaborative environments. We are a company where talented teams work together using innovation and expertise to solve our clients’ most critical challenges. Here, you’llgain competitive benefits, opportunities to bolster your skills and develop new abilities, and a company culture dedicated to support and service. In addition to our benefits program, we encourage our employees to take part in NTC_GivesBack, which paves the way for positive social change.

If joining a stable company with strong professional growth opportunities resonates with you, and you seek vital, mission‑driven projects (for some pretty cool clients) that use your specific talents, we’d love to have you move forward with us.