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Software Engineer (Top Secret clearance required)

BlackFern RecruitmentReston, VA🇺🇸United StatesPosted Aug 22, 2026

Why This Role Stands Out

This hybrid role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to mission-critical software that translates complex technical concepts into actionable tools for decision-makers, with significant end-to-end ownership and direct collaboration with researchers. You'll thrive here if you are a mid-senior software engineer with full-stack experience and a passion for turning innovative ideas into reliable, operational software.

Quick Overview

Seniority
Mid Senior
Work mode
Hybrid
Location
Reston, VA, United States
Posted
6 weeks ago
DockerRustAWSComputer VisionJavaKubernetesReactTypeScriptWebGL

Job Description

Software Engineer Simulation, Optimization & Decision Support
Join a team building mission-critical software that turns complex technical concepts into tools decision-makers actually rely on.
You ll work across the full stack from backend services to the interfaces that make sophisticated simulations and optimization models usable and across the full lifecycle, from early prototyping through deployment.
We re a small, collaborative group where engineers own real problems end to end.
If you like working close to the research, translating hard technical ideas into clean, maintainable software, and seeing your work go from whiteboard to operational use, this role is built for you.
What You ll Do

Build and scale full-stack applications supporting simulation, optimization, and decision-support tools
Design backend services and APIs (Java, Rust, or similar)
Build responsive, intuitive front-end applications (React, TypeScript)
Partner directly with researchers and end users to shape requirements and translate technical concepts into working software
Contribute at every stage prototyping, implementation, demos, and deployment

Required Qualifications

Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Math, or related field
5+ years of professional software engineering experience
Strong experience with React, TypeScript, and modern front-end tooling
Experience building backend services/APIs in Java, Rust, or similar languages
A track record of writing readable, maintainable, well-engineered code in a collaborative setting
Comfort working directly with researchers, engineers, and end users to turn ideas into usable software
Exposure to full-stack web development in any modern framework
Must hold an active Top Secret clearance

Nice to Have

Active TS/SCI clearance
Experience with performance-sensitive, algorithmic, or parallel/concurrent software
Background in defense, national security, or other mission-driven environments
3D, geospatial, or high-performance visualization experience (WebGL, OpenGL)
Experience with distributed systems, databases, or messaging/async processing
Familiarity with AI/ML-enabled software (LLMs, computer vision, model integration)
Experience with cloud/containerized deployment (AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD)

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