Software Engineer - Mid

Spear AI; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Comprehensive health and benefits

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative environment

Mission-driven work

Job summary

Spear AI, based in Washington D.C., is seeking a Software Engineer to develop and maintain full stack software applications for AI/ML mission operations. You will work closely with engineers and practitioners to deliver impactful solutions.

The Software Engineer role requires experience in building scalable systems, APIs, and user interfaces. You'll contribute to mission-critical work, drive innovation, and benefit from a supportive, flat organizational structure.

Qualifications

• Experience in building user interfaces and dashboards for AI applications.
• Knowledge of software engineering best practices and design patterns.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve software issues.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement full stack software for AI/ML applications.
• Develop RESTful APIs and microservices.
• Collaborate with data scientists and engineers.

Skills

Software development experience

Active TS/SCI clearance

Proficiency in front-end frameworks

Proficiency in back-end languages

Experience with web frameworks

Knowledge of API design

Version control experience

Ability to learn AI platforms

Education

4+ years of hands-on software development experience

Tools

Git

AWS

Job description

We’re looking for a Software Engineer to develop and maintain full stack software applications and services supporting AI/ML and analytic mission operations, focusing on scalable back‑end systems, APIs, and user interfaces for enterprise platforms. Works closely with senior engineers, data engineers, and AI/ML practitioners to deliver mission capability.

About Spear AI

Spear AI is a growing defense contracting company dedicated to delivering cutting‑edge solutions that support our nation’s security. As we expand, we’re building a culture where innovation meets mission‑critical work. We operate with a flat organizational structure that empowers every team member to make an impact, collaborate directly with leadership, and contribute to projects that matter. Whether you’re joining our Hardware, Software, or Services division, you’ll work alongside talented professionals who are committed to excellence and advancing the capabilities that keep our nation safe and secure.

The Services team is Spear AI’s applied engineering and technical advisory arm – embedded alongside government customers to design, build, and operate the AI pipelines, data infrastructure, and software systems that take emerging AI capability from concept to fielded mission impact. The team brings together machine learning engineers, data engineers, software engineers, cloud architects, and operational subject matter experts who pair deep technical skill with a working understanding of how the Intelligence Community and DoD actually function day to day. Services engagements vary from small, focused capability sprints to multi‑year embedded support across classified environments.

What You Will Do

• Design and implement full stack software components for AI/ML and analytic applications
• Develop RESTful APIs and microservices following established architectural patterns
• Build user interfaces and dashboards for AI system monitoring, control, and mission workflows
• Implement automated testing and continuous integration practices
• Collaborate with data scientists, AI engineers, and senior SWEs on system integration
• Troubleshoot and resolve software issues in development and production environments
• Participate in code reviews and maintain high‑quality coding standards
• Contribute to software architecture decisions and technical documentation
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps tooling under the guidance of senior engineers
• Support development and operation of MCP server integrations and AI tooling

Who You Are

• You’re forward‑thinking. You take initiative and don’t wait to be handed a backlog.
• You’re flexible. You’re comfortable with ambiguity and eager to push the technical state of the art.
• You own the problem. You can spot a mission gap, frame a solution, and drive it to delivery.
• You dive deep. You need to understand how things actually work, and you build prototypes and experiments to prove it.
• You live on the bleeding edge. You track upcoming platform features and can’t wait for the next nightly to drop.
• You’re a great teacher. You break down complex concepts for any audience and make the ideas click.
• You’re mission‑driven. “Operationally relevant” isn’t a buzzword to you, it’s the bar you expect to clear.

Important Skills

• 4+ years of hands‑on software development experience
• Active TS/SCI clearance with ability to obtain CI Polygraph
• Proficiency in at least one modern front‑end framework (React, Angular, or Vue) and at least one back‑end language (Python, JavaScript/Node.js, Java, Go, or similar)
• Experience with web frameworks, relational and/or non‑relational databases, and cloud platforms
• Working knowledge of API design (REST/GraphQL) and microservice patterns
• Knowledge of software engineering best practices and common design patterns
• Experience with version control (Git), testing frameworks, and DevOps tools
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to rapidly learn novel AI platforms, frameworks, and tool integrations, including those enabling agentic AI capabilities

Nice to Have

• TS/SCI CI Poly clearance
• Strong AWS cloud skills (ECS/EKS, Lambda, S3, IAM, RDS, and CloudWatch)
• Experience with GitLab and GitLab CI/CD pipelines
• DevSecOps exposure (secure coding, automated testing, container/dependency scanning)
• Familiarity with MCP servers or tool‑using LLM systems
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and patterns for integrating ML services into applications
• Military experience strongly preferred
• Intelligence Community experience strongly preferred

What Spear AI Offers

• Unlimited PTO – Take the time you need to recharge and maintain work‑life balance.
• Dedicated sick time – Your health and well‑being come first.
• Comprehensive health and benefits – Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family protected.
• 11 Paid Holidays – Enjoy time off throughout the year to celebrate and spend time with loved ones.
• Professional development – Educational opportunities and resources to help you grow your skills and advance your career.
• Collaborative environment – Work directly with leadership in our flat organizational structure, where your ideas and contributions matter.
• Mission‑driven work – Contribute to projects that directly support national security and make a real‑world impact.

Additional benefit opportunities when you choose Spear AI:

• 401(k) with company match.
• Onsite / Remote / Flexible work arrangements or hybrid options (position dependent).
• Relocation assistance (position dependent).
• Referral bonuses.
• Performance bonuses.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Technology home office setup stipend.
• Professional certification reimbursement (position dependent).

We offer competitive compensation tailored to your experience, location, and the impact you’ll make. We’re committed to equitable pay and will share a range aligned to your level and geography during the hiring process. In accordance with state law, candidates in jurisdictions such as CA, CO, WA, NY, and others, where applicable, will be provided a good‑faith salary range upon request and throughout the hiring process. This is a full‑time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Compensation for this position is provided on a salaried basis and is not subject to reduction based on hours worked. At Spear AI, you’ll find more than just a job; you’ll join a mission‑driven team where your work directly contributes to national security. Our flat organizational structure means your voice matters, your ideas reach leadership, and your impact is visible. As we grow, we’re committed to building robust processes and infrastructure that support both our mission and our people. We value collaboration, continuous improvement, and the expertise each team member brings to the table. If you’re looking for a place to grow professionally while working on projects that truly matter, we’d love to hear from you.