Software Engineer (Hybrid) - 29300

Huntington Ingalls Industries; Columbia (MD); Hybrid; USD 115,199 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare premium

Vision and dental insurance

401(k) + employer match

PTO + holidays

Education allowances

Job summary

Enlighten is seeking a Software Engineer to build AI integration frameworks and an agentic platform for our Data Lake tool, JCRSD. You will design Python-based components, deploy and scale applications in Kubernetes, and expose robust APIs to internal services, including Java-based systems.

You will implement enterprise guardrails for data privacy and prompt safety, contribute to automated tests, and collaborate with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, hybrid environment, with some in-office

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance (Secret or Top Secret).
• 5+ years of Python backend software engineering experience with a Bachelor’s degree (or 3 years with Master’s; or 9 years with HS diploma).
• Experience deploying and managing containerized workloads in Kubernetes (K8s).
• Experience integrating commercial LLM APIs or open-source models into production backend applications.
• Understanding of prompt engineering, agents, function-calling/tools, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
• Experience designing enterprise APIs, RESTful web services, and microservices architecture.
• Experience with configuration management tools (Git, CI/CD pipelines, Docker).
• Comfortable working on a Linux command line.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment with 1–2 days per week at the Columbia, MD office.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop Python-based components for the core agentic platform.
• Deploy, manage, and scale applications within Kubernetes environments.
• Build MCP servers and a library of reusable AI skills and tools for safe AI-agent interaction with internal databases and APIs.
• Expose Java-based APIs to AI agents in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Implement enterprise AI guardrails for data privacy, scrubbing, prompt injection defenses, and output validation.
• Maintain testing pipelines for non-deterministic AI outputs and troubleshoot under tight deadlines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Python backend

Kubernetes

LLM integration

RESTful APIs

Microservices

CI/CD

Linux

Security clearance

Hybrid work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s degree in a related field

High School Diploma with 9 years relevant experience

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Git

CI/CD pipelines

LangChain

LlamaIndex

CrewAI

Job description

Enlighten, honored as a Top Workplace from USA Today, is a leader in big data solution development and deployment with expertise in cloud-based services, software and systems engineering, cyber capabilities, and data science. Our hybrid work approach ensures lasting relationships with your team and enables in‑person collaboration while providing the flexibility to work from home when needed.

Why Enlighten?

• 100% paid employee premium for healthcare, vision and dental plans.
• 10% 401(k) benefit.
• Generous PTO + 10 paid holidays.
• Education/training allowances.

Anticipated Salary Range: $115,199.00–$145,000.00. This estimate is based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, Enlighten considers role function, internal equity, candidate education, training, experience, certifications, and key skills. Occasionally positions may include additional non‑recurrent compensation, addressed by the recruiter during the interview process.

Job Description

Enlighten is a cutting‑edge technology company dedicated to developing innovative software solutions for clients. We are seeking a talented Software Engineer to build foundational AI integration frameworks and agentic platforms.

As a Software Engineer focused on AI Integration, you will design, develop, and implement the agentic platform for our proprietary Data Lake tool, JCRSD. The role is primarily focused on Python‑based components and requires strong container orchestration skills for seamless deployment.

Unlike traditional data‑science roles, this position focuses on applying industry best practices and large language models (LLMs) to create a secure, scalable framework that leverages AI. You will build Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, reusable AI skills, strict safety guardrails, and coordinate with internal teams to expose APIs to our autonomous agents. We value self‑motivation, creativity, and a passion for Python, Kubernetes, and treating AI as a complex software integration problem.

• Design and develop Python‑based components for our core agentic platform.
• Deploy, manage, and scale applications within Kubernetes (K8s) environments efficiently from day one.
• Build Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers and a library of reusable “skills” (function calling/tools) that enable AI agents to safely interact with internal databases, microservices, and external APIs.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to expose their Java‑based APIs to our AI agents.
• Implement strict enterprise AI guardrails, ensuring data privacy, sensitive data scrubbing, prompt injection defenses, and output validation to meet stringent security requirements.
• Maintain an inquisitive nature, responsiveness, and excellent testing skills, including automated testing pipelines for non‑deterministic AI outputs.
• Possess strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work under pressure with multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced, small‑business environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required; U.S. Government Security Clearance obtainable and maintainable (Secret or Top Secret acceptable).
• At least 5 years of experience in Software Engineering focused on Python backend development and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field; or 3 years relevant experience with a Master’s degree; or High School Diploma or equivalent with 9 years relevant experience.
• Hands‑on experience deploying and managing containerized workloads in Kubernetes (K8s).
• Hands‑on experience integrating commercial LLM APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic) or open‑source models into production backend applications.
• Understanding of modern applied AI concepts such as prompt engineering, agents, function‑calling/tools, and Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG).
• Experience designing enterprise APIs, RESTful web services, and microservices architecture.
• Experience with configuration management tools (e.g., Git, CI/CD pipelines, Docker).
• Comfortable working on a Linux command line.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment, spending an average of 1–2 days per week at our Columbia, MD office.

Preferred Requirements

• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.
• Familiarity with Java frameworks (e.g., Spring) to assist teams in connecting components to the agent platform.
• Experience with Python‑based AI integration frameworks (LangChain, LlamaIndex, CrewAI, AutoGen).
• Experience with vector databases, semantic caching, and AI observability tools.
• Experience with NiFi, Kafka, and cloud‑based infrastructure (AWS, Azure).
• Experience in SQL databases (Postgres, MySQL), distributed databases, or NoSQL databases.
• Familiarity with Big Data Platforms or Data Lake architectures.
• DoD 8140 / 8570 IAT Level II compliance certifications may be required by the customer.

Additional benefits and perks are available on our website at www.enlighten.com.