Principal Software Engineer

About Bluestaq
At Bluestaq we build secure data platforms that matter for space missions national defense healthcare systems and commercial innovation. Founded in 2018 weve become a leader in enterprise software and secure data management by staying focused on what counts: modern architecture operational excellence and mission impact.

Were engineers problem-solvers and builders who take the mission seriously but not ourselves. We automate the repeatable question the status quo and design systems that are as reliable as they are scalable. Whether were supporting space defense systems or healthcare advancements we build with the same principles: cloud-native solutions security by design and relentless simplicity.

Our name Blue (military shorthand for the good guys) and staq (as in software stack). Its who we are mission-aligned technologists building platforms that protect the worlds most valuable data.

Recognized Excellence Weve earned national recognition as one of Inc. Magazines Fastest-Growing Private Companies and consistently rank among Colorados Best Workplaces. But what were most proud of The systems we build the teams we develop and the mission outcomes we enable.

About the Role

Bluestaqis seeking a Principal Software Engineer to serve as an org-level technical leader responsible for setting technical direction across significant portions ofBluestaqssoftware reference architectures tackle the companys most complex engineering challenges and drive transformational changes that shape howBluestaqbuilds andoperatessoftware in support of national security and defense missions.

Why This Role Matters

Principal Software Engineers define how we build atBluestaqfor entire classes of systems. Your architectural decisions reference implementations and technical strategies become the patterns that dozens of engineers follow across multiple products and programs. You translate mission requirements and business strategy into durable technical direction and you ensure that the most complex high-stakes technical problems receive the depth of thinking they deserve. The work you do at this level has a shelf life measured in years not sprints.

Key Responsibilities

• Own technical strategy for large segments of theBluestaqproduct and platform or for major mission-critical system areas
• Define reference architectures and engineering patterns that multiple teams adopt (standardized microservice patterns shared UI frameworks cross-cutting data contracts API standards)
• Tackle the companys most complex technical problems: tricky scalability challenges deep interoperability issues between systems andhighly complexdistributed workflows
• Evaluate and guide adoption of major technologies frameworks and architectural approaches with long-term implications for the platform
• Ensure technical decisions support reliability security and performance at scale across the full product portfolio
• Partner closely with senior engineering leadership product management and program management to shape roadmaps and align technical investment with mission priorities
• Operate with strategic autonomy within your domain: set technical direction rather than executing it whileremaininggrounded in delivery realities
• Delegate implementation details to Staff and Senior Staff engineers while staying sufficiently engaged to keep designs sound and on track
• Take ownership of the long-term health and evolution of key architectural components and platform foundations
• Mentor Staff and Senior Staff engineers into broader-scope technical leaders capable of owning major domains independently
• Translate mission and business requirements into technical strategies architecture principles and engineering investment priorities
• Lead trade studies and technical decisions onnew technologies frameworks and architectural strategies with cross-team impact

Required Qualifications

• Master-level technicalexpertisein one or more major software engineering domains (e.g. distributed systems data-intensive applications real-time systems complex UI architectures) with strong breadth across adjacent areas
• Demonstrated ability to define technical strategy and reference architectures that are successfully adopted across multiple engineering teams over multiple years
• Extensive experience leading the technical direction of large complex software systems frominitialconcept through multi-year operation and evolution
• Strong background in evaluating and adoptingnew technologies frameworks and architectural approaches at organizational scaleincluding build vs. buy and platform investment decisions
• Proven ability to translate business and mission requirements into durable technical decisions engineering principles and architectural standards
• Track recordof successfully mentoring and developing Staff and Senior Staff engineers into broader technical leaders
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills: ability to present technical strategy clearly to engineering leadership program management and non-technical executive stakeholders
• Experience designing systems that meet strict reliability security and compliance requirements in production environments

Preferred Qualifications

• History of defining company-wide engineering standards reference architectures or platform strategies that persist across product generations and leadership transitions
• Experience leading technology evaluations major architectural transitions or build-vs-buy decisions at enterprise scale
• Deep knowledge of DoD or national security software requirements security frameworks (RMF FedRAMP NIST 800-53 STIG) and classified system development practices
• Background in systems-of-systems integration multi-program technical alignment or cross-organizational engineering governance
• Published technical work patents or recognized external contributions in relevant software engineering domains
• Experienceadvisingsenior leadership on technology investment priorities platform strategy or engineering organization design
• History of building high-performing engineering cultures through strategic hiring talent development and technical community investment

Required Experience and Education:

• PhD in Computer Science Engineering or a related field and 10 years of software engineering or related experience OR
• Masters degree in Computer Science Engineering or a related field and 12 years of software engineering or related experience OR
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science Engineering or a related field and 14 years of software engineering or related experience OR
• Associate degree in a related field and 16 years of software engineering or related experience OR
• High School Diploma/GED and 18 years of software engineering or related experience.

Clearance Requirement:This position may require the ability to obtain a TS/SCI Clearance. To be eligible for a security clearance U.S. citizenship is required and an employee must agree to participate in a background screen and credit check. Eligibility for a TS/SCI Clearance will be assessed as part of the onboarding process or based on programmatic needs.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organizations facilities.

Relocation:This position does not offer relocation. Candidates must live in the immediate area or relocate at their own expense.

Bluestaq is an Equal Opportunity Employer.We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis age 40 and over color disability gender identity genetic information military or veteran status national origin race religion sex sexual orientation or any other status protected by state or local law.

Bluestaq will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities and employees whose work requirements interfere with a religious belief unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to Bluestaq or a direct threat. Employees needing such accommodation are instructed to contact Human Resources immediately at .

Date the Position Closes: Applications will be accepted for 60 days beyond the posting date or until the position is filled whichever comes first.