Sr Backend Engineer, Discovery API

MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 128,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Mental health resources

Student loan repayment assistance

Adoption reimbursement

Pet insurance

Job summary

Vantor is seeking a Sr Backend Engineer to own the Discovery API in Westminster, CO. You will design and operate the catalog API end-to-end, build data pipelines, and tune performance for large geospatial datasets in a high-traffic cloud environment.

You will work with Python, FastAPI/Flask, and PostgreSQL, leveraging Terraform/CloudFormation and Kubernetes. US citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance are required; prior security clearance is a plus.

Qualifications

• Six-plus years of backend development in production
• Strong Python and API design capabilities with a modern framework
• Experience building and operating data pipelines over large datasets
• Excellent PostgreSQL performance tuning experience
• Proficient with cloud services (AWS, GCP) and IaC (Terraform, CloudFormation)
• Automated testing discipline and CI/CD practices
• Ability to obtain and maintain US security clearance
• US citizenship required

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the catalog API from design to production
• Build and operate data pipelines to keep the catalog current
• Tune API and Postgres performance at scale
• Ship safely with automated tests and reliable deployments
• Shape architecture and technical direction with a small team
• Collaborate on geospatial tooling and standards

Skills

Python

API design

FastAPI/Flask

PostgreSQL

Cloud services

Terraform/CloudFormation

Automated testing

Security clearance

US citizenship

Kubernetes

Geospatial data

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

Kubernetes

PostGIS

GDAL

Job description

## Sr Backend Engineer, Discovery APIApply: Westminster, CO: Full time: Posted Today: R24553Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Citizen. This position requires an active U.S. Government security clearance, applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment for cleared roles is contingent upon verification of clearance status.*Export Control/ITAR:* Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).**Please review the job details below.****Summary**Satellite imagery helps people map, monitor, and respond to what's happening across the planet, and our catalog API is how customers find and access it. We're looking for a senior backend developer to own that API end to end on a small, high-autonomy team, with real influence over its architecture and room to grow your scope.This is a hands-on role for someone who likes hard problems at scale: large geospatial datasets, both raster and vector, a high-traffic API, and performance work that actually matters. You'll design and build APIs and data pipelines in Python, tune performance against big Postgres datasets, and run it in the cloud.**What You'll Do*** Own and evolve the catalog API, from design through production* Build and operate the data pipelines that keep the catalog current* Tune performance across the API and Postgres at scale* Ship safely and often, with automated tests and reliable deploys* Shape the architecture and technical direction alongside a small team**Minimum Qualifications*** 6+ years of backend development, building secure, scalable services in production* Strong Python and API design, with a framework such as FastAPI or Flask* Deep experience building and operating data pipelines over large datasets* Strong PostgreSQL, including performance tuning at scale* Fluent building and operating cloud services (AWS, GCP, or similar), with infrastructure as code such as Terraform or CloudFormation* Strong automated testing discipline* Applies AI to accelerate implementation* US citizenship required* Able to obtain and maintain a US security clearance**Preferred Qualifications*** Catalog experience with geospatial data or other large-scale archives* Familiarity with geospatial standards and tooling such as STAC, OGC APIs, PostGIS, and GDAL* Kubernetes or similar container orchestration* Zero-downtime deploys and service modernization**Pay Transparency:** To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role.● The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $128,000.00 - $170,000.00 - $187,000.00 annually.### ### ### ### # ### ### ### ### For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.**Benefits:** Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careersAdditionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.To apply, submit your application via Vantor's Career page.**EEO Policy: Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.**