Software Engineer

General Atomics Intelligence; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

GA-Intelligence is seeking Backend Software Engineers to help build global situational awareness and battle orchestration capabilities. You will collaborate with UI/UX engineers, data scientists, and product owners to design scalable systems that meet complex user needs.

You’ll develop robust backend services using Java/Scala/Python/Golang, leverage Kubernetes and Docker for deployment, and work with AWS and data platforms to support mission-critical applications.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems or related discipline.
• Must have a general understanding of software development concepts and demonstrate the ability to apply programming and analysis concepts.
• Experience with a variety of programming languages (Java, Scala, Python, and Golang).
• Experience with deployment technologies such as Kubernetes (K8s) for container orchestration and with Docker.

Responsibilities

• Engineer high-quality software from design through deployment with ownership of features or services.
• Apply secure coding practices and improve system reliability, observability, and compliance with standards.
• Lead backend efforts on enterprise Java applications for command and control, geospatial data visualization, and analytics.
• Document technical decisions and communicate clearly with stakeholders.

Skills

Java

Scala

Python

Golang

Kubernetes

Docker

AWS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

AWS

Kafka

NiFi

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics Integrated Intelligence Inc. (GA-Intelligence) develops cutting-edge software solutions that transform raw data into actionable intelligence. We specialize in real-time global situational awareness and battle management, processing petabytes of data from hundreds of sources across air, land, and sea. Our systems—including the widely used THRESHER and DRAGONSPELL platforms—support tens of thousands of users at all levels of the DoD and Intelligence Community and enable critical decision-making for national security missions. We process hundreds of thousands of observations per minute, operating at the scale of global sensor networks and battlefield telemetry. Our backend architecture leverages technologies like Kafka, AWS, NiFi, and GeoMesa—the latter of which we designed and open-sourced to deliver high-throughput, mission-resilient systems that turn streaming data into real-time intelligence.

Why GA-Intelligence?

At GA-Intelligence, we’re not chasing hype or building throwaway demos—we’re solving complex, mission-critical problems that matter. Unlike younger firms chasing the next funding round, we’ve spent decades earning the trust of our users and delivering systems they rely on every day. And unlike traditional defense contractors, we’re nimble, privately held, and able to make long-term decisions in the best interest of our customers and our country—not quarterly earnings reports. Our users love our software. Our customers come back because we deliver. And our engineers stay because they get to work on real problems, with real impact, alongside people who care.

What You’ll Do

We are seeking Backend Software Engineers to help build the next generation of global situational awareness and battle orchestration capabilities. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams—including UI/UX engineers, mission engineers, data scientists, and product owners—to design and deliver software that is performant, scalable, and tailored to complex user needs. Whether you're integrating multi-source data, optimizing backend services, or shaping how insights reach the end user, your work will directly support operational missions that have real-world impact.

What We Believe

These values weren’t crafted in a branding session—they were observed and articulated after 35 years of building software that matters. They reflect how we work, what we value in each other, and the kind of impact we want to have. At GA-Intelligence, they aren’t aspirational—they’re how we operate.

• Solving Meaningful Challenges – Building mission-driven technology that makes a difference
• Collaborative Culture – Working as a team to push boundaries and innovate
• Technical Excellence – Encouraging continuous learning, curiosity, and efficiency
• Idea Meritocracy – Valuing ideas based on impact, not hierarchy

If these principles resonate with you—not just in theory, but in daily practice—you’ll find yourself at home here.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Software Engineers at GA-I3 are trusted contributors who bring solid engineering experience and judgment to every stage of the software lifecycle. You will design, build, and maintain robust backend systems, while collaborating with others to ensure solutions are effective, maintainable, and aligned with mission goals.

• Engineer high-quality software:
• Take ownership of features or services from design through deployment, ensuring quality, performance, and maintainability
• Apply secure coding practices and contribute to system reliability, observability, and compliance with relevant standards
• Improve and sustain deployed capabilities across customer and cloud environments by addressing evolving operational needs
• Integrate backend components into larger system architectures and support deployments in cloud and bare-metal environments
• Conduct and contribute to code reviews to uphold engineering standards and mentor less experienced developers
• Understand the domain and guide the design
• Work closely with users, stakeholders, and domain experts to understand requirements and translate them into reliable, maintainable code
• Lead backend efforts on enterprise Java applications for command and control, geospatial data visualization, and analytics
• Influence technical decisions during design, planning, and cross-team coordination meetings
• Document technical decisions and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree in computer science, information systems or related discipline. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Must have a general understanding of software development concepts, principles, and theory and demonstrate the ability to apply programming and analysis concepts.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment while organizing work assignments to meet established timetables.
• Strong communication, computer, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other professionals, produce appropriate documentation, and present results to an internal audience.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential.
• Experience with a variety of programming languages (Java, Scala, Python, and Golang).
• Experience with deployment technologies, such as Kubernetes (K8s) for container orchestration.
• Experience with containerization technology (Docker).
• Understanding of AWS services and cloud environments.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and tooling (Gitlab CI/CD, ArgoCD, CircleCI, Jenkins).
• Must be able to work extended hours as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance is required.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with technologies such as Kafka, NiFi, AWS, Kubernetes, or Docker
• Familiarity with secure coding practices and software compliance standards
• Exposure to geospatial data systems or high-throughput distributed architectures
• Experience developing backend services and APIs
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS or Azure) and CI/CD pipelines
• Experience with containerization and orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience working in the DoD or Intelligence Community

Job Type: Full-Time Salary Salary range: 68,770 - 116,193