Sr Software Engineer (SWE)

Arkenstone Defense; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Employee assistance

Professional development

Job summary

Arkenstone Defense in Menlo Park, CA is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to own meaningful parts of our core platforms in a highly regulated, security-first environment. You’ll design, implement, and maintain software while collaborating with peers, product, and compliance stakeholders to meet government contract standards.

This hands-on role requires leading features end-to-end, delivering secure, scalable solutions, and mentoring colleagues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, engineering, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Strong proficiency in Go, Python, or TypeScript.
• Experience deploying apps in cloud environments (Kubernetes on AWS or GCP preferred).
• Familiarity with security/compliance frameworks and DoD/gov contracting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain secure, scalable software across frontend/backend and occasional DevOps.
• Own features end-to-end from design to deployment and monitoring.
• Lead medium-to-large projects and break down tasks for the team.
• Collaborate with product, security, and compliance stakeholders to meet requirements.
• Review code and promote secure development practices including threat modeling.

Skills

Go

Python

TypeScript

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Tools

Kubernetes

AWS

GCP

Job description

At Arkenstone Defense, we empower defense tech startups with the tools, infrastructure, and compliance solutions they need to become successful prime contractors. Our mission is to remove barriers and help innovators grow - from day one to becoming a trusted prime for the U.S. Government.

We're early, we're lean, and we're building something that actually matters. The people who do well here aren't waiting to be told what to do; they see a gap and fill it.

About Us

At Arkenstone Defense, we empower defense tech startups with the tools, infrastructure, and compliance solutions they need to become successful prime contractors. Our mission is to remove barriers and help innovators grow - from day one to becoming a trusted prime for the U.S. Government.

We're early, we're lean, and we're building something that actually matters. The people who do well here aren't waiting to be told what to do; they see a gap and fill it.

Overview

We’re looking for an exceptional Senior Software Engineer to take ownership of meaningful parts of our core platforms in a highly regulated, security‑first environment. You'll work closely with engineering peers, product, and compliance stakeholders to build software that meets the rigorous standards our clients and their government contracts demand.

This is a hands‑on engineering role. You'll write code, lead technical decisions, and help the team move faster and build better — without losing sight of the compliance and security requirements that make our solutions viable in the public sector space.

What You’ll Do

• Design, build, and maintain secure, scalable software across our technical stack: frontend/backend/occasional devops.
• Own features and systems end to end, from technical design through deployment and monitoring
• Own the delivery of an entire piece of a system or application and serve as a technical lead on medium‑to‑large, complex projects
• Break down large tasks into smaller, executable tasks that can be delivered by the broader development team
• Resolve technical roadblocks for the development team, working collaboratively with product owners, technical leadership, and engineering peers
• Ensure adherence to Agile processes and Dev/DevOps best practices throughout the development lifecycle
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and security teams to make sound technical tradeoffs
• Participate in code reviews and help raise the overall quality and consistency of the codebase
• Support secure development practices including threat modeling, vulnerability remediation, and adherence to NIST SP 800-53 controls
• Help document technical decisions, system design, and implementation details to support compliance processes and internal knowledge sharing
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers on the team

OTHER DUTIES

• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None at this time

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience
• Strong proficiency in a modern programming language such as go, python, or typescript
• Experience building and deploying applications in cloud environments, preferably with Kubernetes on AWS or GCP
• Familiarity with security and compliance frameworks
• Experience with API design, integration patterns, and enterprise‑grade system architecture
• Understanding of security fundamentals including identity and access management, encryption at rest and in transit, and zero‑trust principles
• Ability to write clean, well‑tested, maintainable code and contribute to a healthy engineering culture
• Leverages AI tooling to accelerate and refine development processes

Preferred

• Experience working with DoD or civilian agency clients or within a government contracting environment
• Experience supporting or contributing to ATO documentation or compliance evidence packages is a plus
• Relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Developer, AWS Solutions Architect, Google Certified Cloud Professional,, or security‑focused credentials such as CISSP or CCSP
• Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and tooling
• Knowledge of operating workloads in Kubernetes leveraging helm charts, Istio, and ingress controllers
• Utilize AI integrations to automate or facilitate application workflows

Who You Are

• Experienced working in or alongside compliance‑driven environments such as FedRAMP, CMMC, or DoD IL frameworks
• Comfortable working on small, focused teams where engineers are expected to own a broad surface area
• Someone who takes security seriously as a first‑class concern, not an afterthought
• A clear communicator who can work across engineering, product, and non‑technical stakeholders

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

We are a Defense‑focused company supporting sensitive and cleared workforces. The Senior Software Engineer will embrace our commitment to operational excellence, compliance rigor, and a world‑class employee experience.

Benefits for working with us!

We are committed to supporting our employees both professionally and personally. Our robust benefits package is designed to promote your well‑being, growth, and work‑life balance

• Competitive Salary: Recognizing your hard work with attractive compensation and rewarding excellence.
• Health and Wellness Programs: Including medical, dental, & vision insurance options, along with mental health support & wellness initiatives.
• Retirement Planning: Secure your future with our flexible 401(k) plan and matching company contributions.
• Paid Time Off & Holidays: Generous PTO, sick leave, and holiday pay to help you recharge and enjoy life outside of work.
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential resources for personal and professional support.
• Professional Development: Access to training, certifications, and continuing education to foster your career growth.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Arkenstone Defense participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm employment authorization.