Software Engineer

Xenon Innovations, Inc.; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Xenon Innovations, Inc. seeks an experienced backend data systems engineer to design and operate ingest pipelines, storage schemas, and scalable indexing for high-volume telemetry and metadata.

You will build networked services, APIs, and messaging patterns supporting intermittent connectivity and degraded links while ensuring defensible, well-documented interfaces. The role emphasizes performance under constrained conditions, data model contributions, security hardening collaboration, and

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science or related field required
• 4+ years building backend services and data systems in production
• Proficiency in Java, Go, Python, or comparable
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance

Responsibilities

• Design and implement ingest pipelines for high-volume signal metadata and product
• Define storage schemas and retention strategies for platform storage limits
• Build indexing and query capability that remains responsive as data grows
• Implement data reduction, prioritization, and summarization for bandwidth-limited dissemination
• Build networked services and APIs connecting collection subsystems, operators, and external consumers
• Implement messaging and publish/subscribe patterns for intermittent connectivity
• Own interface definitions and keep them versioned and documented
• Profile and optimize database, service, and network performance under shipboard conditions
• Design for graceful degradation when links drop or storage fills
• Instrument the data layer for diagnosability after the fact
• Contribute to data model definitions and adherence to interface standards
• Work with security engineering to meet hardening requirements

Skills

Java

Go

Python

Backend systems

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

ActiveMQ / DDS

Job description

Description

Signal processing produces enormous volumes of metadata, digital products, and recorded data on platforms with constrained storage, constrained bandwidth, and an intermittent link to anywhere else. This role builds the systems that move, store, index, and serve that data under those constraints.

You will design the data layer and the networked services that connect collection systems to the operators and downstream consumers who need what they produce.

What you will do

Data pipelines and storage

• Design and implement ingest pipelines for high-volume signal metadata and product
• Define storage schemas and retention strategies appropriate to platform storage limits
• Build indexing and query capability that stays responsive as data volume grows
• Implement data reduction, prioritization, and summarization for bandwidth-limited dissemination

Services and interfaces

• Build networked services and APIs connecting collection subsystems, operator interfaces, and external consumers
• Implement messaging and publish/subscribe patterns suited to intermittent connectivity
• Own interface definitions and keep them versioned and documented

Performance under constraint

• Profile and optimize database, service, and network performance against realistic shipboard conditions
• Design for graceful degradation when links drop or storage fills rather than for the happy path
• Instrument the data layer so that problems are diagnosable after the fact

Standards and integration

• Contribute to data model definitions and adherence to applicable interface standards
• Work with the security engineering team to ensure delivered services meet hardening requirements

Requirements

Minimum qualifications

• BS in Computer Science or related field
• 4+ years building backend services and data systems in production
• Proficiency in Java, Go, Python, or comparable
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance

Preferred qualifications

• Strong experience with relational databases and at least one non-relational or time-series store
• Solid networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, multicast, QoS, and how they behave on a bad link
• Experience with ActiveMQ, DDS, or comparable real-time middleware
• Prior work with high-rate telemetry, sensor data, or streaming ingest at volume
• Containerized deployment experience in accredited or air-gapped environments
• Exposure to data standards used in the SIGINT or ISR community
• Active TS/SCI

Estimated Salary Range: $130,000-$225,000 per year

The salary range noted is intended as a general guide. Actual base salary offers from Xenon Innovations are determined based on several factors, including the position's scope and responsibilities, along with the candidate's experience, education, skill set, and prevailing market conditions.

Xenon Innovations, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status.