Principal Software Engineer – (HybridRemote) McLean, VA – Active TSSCI with Polygraph Required

Synertex is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to support a mission-focused defense program delivering advanced data integration and analytics capabilities for chemical biological and emerging threat detection. This role is a hands-on technical leadership position responsible for architecting building and sustaining large-scale data platforms in classified environments.

You will serve as the technical authority on the program-designing real-time and batch data processing systems integrating machine learning capabilities and delivering scalable solutions that transform high-volume sensor and intelligence data into actionable insights for mission stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design build and maintain big data pipelines for ingesting processing and analyzing high-volume data across multiple sources in real-time and batch modes
• Lead architecture and implementation of distributed data processing systems (e.g. Kafka Spark Hadoop NiFi)
• Develop and integrate machine learning models for classification anomaly detection and predictive analytics
• Build and maintain data storage solutions across relational NoSQL and columnar databases (e.g. HBase Hive Kudu Impala)
• Deploy and manage applications in classified environments with strict security and compliance requirements
• Serve as the technical lead-setting engineering direction conducting code reviews mentoring team members and making architecture decisions
• Interface directly with government stakeholders to translate mission requirements into technical solutions
• Troubleshoot production systems optimize performance and ensure reliability scalability and availability

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 10 years of software engineering experience including at least 5 years in a lead or architect-level role
• Proven hands-on experience designing and operating big data systems in production using technologies such as Kafka Spark Hadoop (HDFS) HBase Hive NiFi Kudu Impala or equivalent
• Experience with real-time data streaming and event-driven architectures (e.g. Kafka Streams Spark Streaming KSQL)
• Working knowledge of machine learning frameworks (e.g. Spark MLlib scikit-learn TensorFlow) with applied experience solving real-world data problems
• Strong proficiency in Java (additional languages such as Python Scala or Ruby are a plus)
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines DevOps and build automation (e.g. Jenkins Maven Git Docker)
• Experience operating in classified environments (e.g. SIPRNet JWICS or equivalent)
• Ability to lead technical execution while remaining hands-on in development and architecture
• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with graph analytics (e.g. Spark GraphX Neo4j)
• Background supporting CBRN or defense threat detection systems
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud Azure Government) and containerized environments
• Full-stack development experience (APIs front-end interfaces)
• Mobile application development experience

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive compensation aligned to experience
• 401(k) with 6% company match
• Comprehensive medical dental and vision coverage
• Paid Time Off and 11 paid federal holidays
• Employee profit sharing program
• Opportunity to work on mission-critical systems supporting national security
• Collaborative AI-first engineering culture focused on innovation and delivery

JOIN THE SYNERETEX TEAM

If youre looking for a role where your expertise is valued your voice is heard and your work truly matters we encourage you to apply and explore what it means to be part of the Synertex team.

Required Experience:

Staff IC