Senior Software Engineer Expeditionary Systems (OpAI) - Secret Clearance Required

PMAT; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

PMAT is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to integrate AI capabilities into expeditionary systems, including TAK, sensors, UxS, and C2. Responsibilities span hands-on coding, architecture discussions, and field testing to strengthen real-time data flows.

You will work with cross-functional teams and ML engineers to deploy models, ensure robust data pipelines, and optimize tactical data architectures for Navy operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software/data roles including software engineering or data engineering.
• Familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong Python and intermediate Rust/Go programming skills.
• Experience normalizing tactical data to common standards and multiple data formats.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test tactical software for field use in naval systems.
• Collaborate with ML engineers to integrate models into expeditionary systems.
• Maintain real-time data mesh and ensure high-quality data flow between sensors, UxS, and C2.
• Analyze data pipelines and monitor performance, reliability, and robustness.

Skills

Python

Rust/Go

Docker/Kubernetes

AI/ML integration

Data engineering

C2/TAK experience

Security clearance

Real-time data

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Zenoh

React

REST APIs

AirByte / Apache Airflow

GIS data stores

Job description

This position requires an ACTIVE DoD security clearance. Applicants who do not currently hold an active clearance will not be considered.

At PMAT, we work on mission critical systems that directly support the warfighter, designing, building, and securing modern digital capabilities across cloud, data, and software environments. Our teams tackle complex, real-world challenges where delivery matters more than theory, and innovation is driven by curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.

In this role, you'll contribute to Naval Operational Architecture (NOA), working alongside engineers and operators to deliver resilient, forward-leaning solutions in support of national defense.

About the role: PMAT is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Software Engineer to contribute to the integration of AI capabilities into expeditionary systems, including sensor kits, UxS, C2, and TAK. The successful candidate will play a key role in enhancing the capabilities of expeditionary systems through innovative and cutting-edge technologies. Daily tasks can vary from hands on keyboard to technical discussions, including but not limited to, maintaining real-time Zenoh data mesh in Rust, creating frontend React applications in JavaScript, working with AI engineers to integrate machine learning models, converting data between standard tactical message formats, or providing subject matter expertise in discussions with senior management.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand and address the Navy's operational challengesintegratingartificial intelligence intoexpeditionarysystems.
• Design, develop, and implementsoftwarefortacticalapplications
• Testsoftware atfieldexperimentstoensureperformantand high-quality dataflow betweentacticalsystems, including sensors,UxS, and C2
• Collaborate withmachine learning engineersand domain experts to analyze data and integrate machine learning solutions into existing systems.
• Collaborate with data engineers to monitordata pipelines and analyticsto ensure accuracy, reliability, and robustness.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements indata architectureto propose and implement innovative solutions.
• Work closely withsystemsengineers toconnectdata pipelines with operational systems
• Provide technical expertise and contribute to the development of long-term technology strategies within the Department of the Navy.

About Us: PMAT is an innovative small business founded with a passion for developing forward-leaning solutions from exceptional people that increase the mission's capability. We focus on designing and building impactful digital solutions that utilize modern cloud, data, and software concepts. Our passion is working on complex and progressive challenges such as edge platform computing, containerizing legacy platforms, distributed data platforms, or heterogeneous data analysis.

We recruit, retain, and foster a team motivated to pursue passions, investigate new ways of doing things, and embody an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. We believe in being curious about every element of a problem and experiment relentlessly. We foster continuous learning in an environment that encourages positive collaboration and expands our capabilities. We tap into collective intelligence, acknowledging that the most brilliant people may not be in the room. Above all else, we believe that delivering and demonstrating is more potent than a sheet of paper. We are passionate about mission-centric design and delivering effective capabilities to and for the warfighter.

Required Skills and Experience:

• At least10years experienceworking as a business analyst, data analyst, data scientist, data engineer, database administrator,geospatial analyst,geospatial engineer,IT specialist,machine learning engineer, software engineer, or system administrator.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Expertprogramming skills inPython
• Intermediate programming skills inRust or Go
• Experience designing or normalizingtacticaldata to common standards
• Experience with multiple data formats, e.g., CSV, JSON, XML, Parquet, ORC.
• Familiarity with event streaming libraries and platforms, e.g., Apache Kafka, AWS Kinesis, RabbitMQ, ZeroMQ, or Zenoh.
• Experience withtroubleshooting tactical systems
• Experience deploying, monitoring, and improvingtacticaldata pipelines
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Passion for staying updated with the latest advancements intactical dataarchitecture.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience integrating systems with Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) ecosystem.
• Familiarity withdata pipelineframeworks and libraries,e.g.,AirByte, Apache Airflow,dbt, Apache Iceberg, Snowflake.
• Experience with adding and retrieving data from Geographic Information Systems (GIS), e.g., ArcGIS,PostGIS.
• Expertisein Elasticsearch,Redis,S3,PostgreSQL,or other data stores.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles in the context oftacticalapplications.
• Previous experience working with government agencies or military organizations.
• Masterof Science in Computer Science, Data Science,Geography, Math, Machine Learning,or Statistics

Education and Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience

Citizenship and Clearance requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship required
• No dual citizenship

• Active DOD Secret security clearance is required
• TS/SCI Eligible security clearance preferred

Location/Address:

• 100% On-site
• San Diego, CA, NAVWAR
• Arlington, VA
• Colorado Springs, CO
• Charleston, SC
• Denver, CO
• Note: If San Diego is not your primary duty station, then you will be required to travel to San Diego for at least 5 weeks a year for team meetings and administrative tasks.

Travel & Passport:

• 10%, CONUS and OCONUS

Work Environment: PMAT offices as needed. In some cases, work in a government facility may be required. Travel may be required for customer engagement, team coordination, and potentially for business development.

PMAT is an equal-opportunity employer.We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture.We are committed to non-discrimination onanyprotectedbasis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.