Software Developer, Cyber Mission Systems

Shadow Strategies, LLC; Columbia (MD); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid parental leave

Flexible leave

401(k)

Disability insurance

Annual health stipend

Job summary

Shadow Strategies in Columbia, MD is seeking senior software developers to build resilient systems that translate operational intent into reliable capability and deliver software that supports real mission outcomes.

This role will create a declarative, mission-adaptable workflow interface for cyber operations, developing services, integrations, and operator-facing software to advance automation in classified environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field and 10 years of experience (or equivalent)
• Experience delivering secure software in complex, integrated systems
• Ability to translate mission needs into durable technical decisions

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and sustain software that translates mission intent into executable workflows
• Build operator-facing interfaces and services to expose state, actions, dependencies, and constraints
• Integrate automation, mission services, data sources, and tools into cohesive end-to-end workflows
• Develop software that behaves predictably within defined authorities and boundaries
• Modernize infrastructure-management capabilities into mission-focused workflows
• Support CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices in classified environments
• Test, troubleshoot, and refine software across development, integration, and operation
• Collaborate with operators, UX practitioners, and mission stakeholders to deliver deployable capabilities
• Document technical decisions, interfaces, and system behavior

Skills

Full-stack software design

Secure software development

Software integration

CI/CD & DevOps

Testing & documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Associate degree

16 years of experience without a degree

Job description

This is a pipeline position with an anticipated award in early Fall 2026.

Location: Columbia, MD

Telework: TBD, subject to manager approval and tasking

Clearance Required: TS/SCI with Polygraph

Salary Range: $165,000 to $185,000

At Shadow Strategies, you will join a culture defined by innovation, purpose, and meaningful impact. We seek senior software developers who build resilient systems, translate complex operational intent into reliable capability, and deliver software that supports real mission outcomes. If you are inspired by complexity, motivated by clarity, and committed to excellence, we invite you to become part of something exceptional.

This role supports the creation of a declarative, mission-adaptable workflow interface for cyber operations. The capability will enable operators to express mission intent, define parameters and boundaries, understand system behavior, and guide automation through a unified operational experience. You will develop the services, integrations, and operator-facing software that move the platform from static infrastructure management toward offensive mission automation.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, and sustain software capabilities that translate declared mission intent into executable workflows
• Build operator-facing interfaces and supporting services that make system state, available actions, dependencies, and constraints visible
• Integrate automation, mission services, data sources, and operational tools into cohesive end-to-end workflows
• Develop software that behaves predictably within defined authorities, rules, and operational boundaries
• Modernize established infrastructure-management capabilities into mission-focused operational workflows
• Support CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices aligned with classified mission architectures
• Test, troubleshoot, and refine software across development, integration, and operational environments
• Collaborate with cyber operators, UX practitioners, systems engineers, and mission stakeholders to turn operational needs into deployable capabilities
• Document technical decisions, interfaces, system behavior, and operational considerations

Who This Might Be a Fit For

• You have delivered secure software within complex, integrated systems
• You are comfortable owning technical outcomes as a senior individual contributor
• You understand how application code, automation, infrastructure, and operator experience intersect
• You can translate ambiguous mission needs into clear technical decisions and durable implementation
• You prefer clarity over cleverness and durable solutions over quick fixes
• You communicate technical decisions clearly to engineering, mission, and operational audiences

Required Skills

• Full-stack software design and development
• Secure software development in classified or operationally constrained environments
• Software integration across services, platforms, and data sources
• CI/CD and DevOps practices
• Software testing, troubleshooting, and technical documentation

Helpful Experience Areas

• Offensive cyber operations or related national security mission environments
• Declarative workflow systems or mission automation
• Legacy system modernization and platform evolution
• Operator-facing mission applications
• Human-centered software development with UX teams
• Real-time operational systems

Years of Experience and Degree Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field and 10 years of experience

OR an associate degree and 14 years of experience

OR 16 years of experience without a degree

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Work Environment

Based in Columbia, MD

TBD telework, subject to manager approval and tasking

Multidisciplinary teams supporting cyber mission systems in classified environments

Senior individual contributors are trusted to own technical outcomes and make sound implementation decisions

What Comes With It

You will have what you need to do your best work:

• Fully covered health insurance for medical, dental, and vision
• Paid parental leave: 16 weeks if you give birth, 4 weeks if your partner does
• Flexible leave: 36 days total each year, including 25 days of PTO and 11 paid holidays
• 401(k) for your future
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Annual health stipend if you opt out of our insurance

The Extras? They’re Built In.

No points systems. No bean bags. Just clarity, autonomy, and a mission that matters.

Shadow invests in exceptional people because demanding work requires more than a paycheck. Our benefits are designed to provide meaningful support inside and outside the mission.

See our benefit plan at: https://www.shadowstrategies.io/benefits

Shadow Strategies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a workplace that values diversity and fosters inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.