Senior Backend Developer - HYBRID with Security Clearance

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Senior Backend Developer to support a company focused on developing mission-critical applications for the Intelligence Community. This position is HYBRID (3 days on site/2 days work from home) at Reston, Washington DC, or Annapolis Junction . An active TS/SCI CI Poly is required. The Senior Backend Developer will design, develop, and maintain scalable backend applications and services supporting complex operational missions. Join a team delivering critical capabilities that directly support national security objectives and mission success. Responsibilities for the Senior Backend Developer include:

• Design, develop, and maintain backend applications and services using Python, PostgreSQL, Docker, Kubernetes, and OpenSearch.
• Develop and support REST APIs, including request validation, authentication, authorization, error handling, and integration with external systems.
• Design and optimize PostgreSQL databases, including schema development, indexing strategies, query optimization, and database migrations.
• Deploy, configure, troubleshoot, and support containerized applications in Kubernetes and OpenShift environments.
• Collaborate with customers, product owners, developers, operations personnel, and security teams to define requirements, estimate work, review code, resolve production issues, and deliver reliable software solutions. Required Qualifications for the Senior Backend Developer include:
• 9+ years of experience in Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Backend Development, or a related technical field.
• Experience developing and maintaining backend applications and RESTful APIs using Python.
• Strong experience with PostgreSQL, including relational data modeling, SQL development, schema migrations, query optimization, and indexing.
• Experience with Docker, including Dockerfile creation, container image management, and container troubleshooting.
• Experience deploying and supporting applications in Kubernetes and OpenShift environments.
• Understanding of OpenSearch data structures, indexing, search functionality, and query development.
• Experience with software testing, code reviews, technical documentation, and production support.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to translate customer requirements into technical solutions.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field. A bachelor's degree may substitute for 4 years of experience and a master's degree may substitute for 6 years of experience.
• Active TS/SCI Clearance with CI Polygraph.

Desired Qualifications for the Senior Backend Developer include:

• Deep expertise in Python development and API architecture.
• Experience supporting software development efforts within Department of Defense environments.
• Strong knowledge of Linux administration and Kubernetes concepts.
• Experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation.
• Experience improving application security, performance, reliability, and accessibility.
• Experience working within Agile software development environments.
• Experience collaborating closely with product, operations, and security teams throughout the software lifecycle.

Compensation for the Senior Backend Developer includes: Salary Range: $160,000 - $210,000 Full Benefits Package: PTO, Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Tuition Reimbursement, Sick leave as required by law #LI-KD1 #LI-HYBRID SEO Keywords Senior Backend Developer, Backend Engineer, Python Developer, Python Engineer, REST API Development, API Design, PostgreSQL, SQL Development, Database Engineer, Database Optimization, SQLAlchemy, Pydantic, OpenSearch, Elasticsearch, Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, Containerization, Linux, CI/CD, DevSecOps, Agile Development, Software Engineer, Application Developer, Microservices, Backend Services, TS/SCI, CI Polygraph, Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, Mission-Critical Applications, Cloud-Native Development, Software Architecture, Technical Documentation, Code Reviews, Production Support, DevOps Automation, Software Security, PostgreSQL Performance Tuning, Kubernetes Deployment, OpenShift Administration, HYBRID roles, Reston, Fairfax, Herndon, Arlington, Alexandria, Baltimore, Washington DC, Intelligence Community, Annapolis Junction, Maryland, Virignia