Senior Software Engineer/Systems Engineer with Security Clearance

Cornerstone Defense; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 215,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Plans

Generous PTO Policy

401(k)

Job summary

Cornerstone Defense in Annapolis Junction seeks a Senior Software Engineer/Systems Engineer to lead a multi-year DoD software effort, architecting interfaces for authorization workflows and key management across diverse environments. The role requires cryptographic engineering experience, strong leadership, and the ability to drive architecture decisions within matrixed teams.

Active TS/SCI w/ Polygraph clearance is required.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of professional experience.
• BS in Computer Science or related field (or 8+ years equivalent work experience).
• Ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with clients and team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-year, mission-focused software development effort for DoD deployment.
• Architect flexible interfaces to support authorization workflows and key management operations.
• Remove customer-specific dependencies and abstract environment configurations.
• Collaborate across matrixed and virtual teams to deliver results.

Skills

12+ years experience

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Title: Senior Software Engineer/Systems Engineer Location: Annapolis Junction Compensation Range: $215 - 235k

Clearance:

Active TS/SCI w/ Polygraph needed to apply

Company Overview:

Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation's toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don't look any further than Cornerstone Defense.

Benefits Overview:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Generous PTO Policy
• 401(k)
• HSA and FSA options
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement and Training
• Perks at Work Discount Program
• Referral Program
• Leads Generation Program
• CollegeAmerica 529
• Fitness Reimbursement Program
• Travel Assistance
• Norton Lifelock Benefit Solutions
• Life Planning Financial & Legal Services

Description:

The Senior Software Engineer / System Engineer plays a key role in a multi-year, mission-focused software development effort aimed at productizing a critical solution suite for broader DoD deployment. This position requires extensive experience in modern software engineering, system design, cryptographic technologies, and Agile development. The engineer will be responsible for leading technical changes, removing customer-specific dependencies, abstracting environment-specific configurations, and helping architect flexible interfaces to support authorization workflows and key management operations across diverse environments. The work impacts numerous components including clients, Portals, Proxy services, and OpenBao-based key management services. This role requires strong leadership, independent execution, and collaboration across matrixed and virtual teams.

Required Skills:

• 12+ years of professional experience
• BS in Computer Science or related field (or 8+ years equivalent work experience)
• Ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with clients and team members

Preferred Skills:

• Experience leading development of encryption libraries and key management services
• Ability to establish, enforce, and apply best practices across solution design and implementation
• Experience providing leadership for daily project execution and progress
• Participation in project planning and status communication

Desired Skills:

• 8+ years Java development on Linux and Windows platforms, or 8+ years experience with C/C++
• Proficiency in at least one additional high-level language (Python, Go, or Rust preferred)
• 8+ years experience with modern software development management practices
• Deep understanding of Agile methodology
• 5+ years cryptographic engineering experience, including key management
• 5+ years experience with REST APIs
• 2+ years cloud platform experience (tools, administration, operations)
• 5+ years Docker and Kubernetes experience
• Strong analytical troubleshooting and performance evaluation skills
• Effective team collaboration skills and strong communication habits
• Ability to operate within matrixed and virtual team structures
• Ability to work independently, multi-task, and take ownership across project components
• Ability to work under pressure while meeting tight deadlines or adapting to shifting requirements