Principal Software Engineer - TS/SCI at SUNAYU in Bethesda, Maryland

Job description

• Sunayu, LLC is looking for a skilled Python developer to join our team to build and maintain scalable microservices that interface with Kafka for real-time messaging and Elasticsearch for data indexing and search. You'll deploy and monitor your services in a Kubernetes environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams in designing reliable, observable, and secure systems. Our client’s overall mission is to design and implement a data centric architecture that leverages cloud-based computing, artificial intelligence (Al), machine learning (ML) and cross-domain transfer systems.

Responsibilities

• You will work closely with the team on the following key tasks
• Design, develop, test, and maintain Python microservices
• Implement message consumers and producers with Apache Kafka
• Integrate with Elasticsearch for real-time and batch data indexing and querying
• Write unit and integration tests; ensure high code coverage and reliability
• Build CI/CD pipelines for your services and deploy them in Kubernetes clusters
• Participate in design discussions, code reviews, and architecture planning
• Monitor and troubleshoot production issues with observability tools
• Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing within the team
• Utilizes software engineering and design methodologies appropriate to the development, integration, and production environment
• Foster an environment of collaboration with the different team members in the goal of providing quality service and product to our customers

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12 or more years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10 or more years of prior relevant experience. Experience can be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Must possess an Active Top Secret/SCI clearance and ability to obtain and maintain a Polygraph
• Proficiency in Python and related backend frameworks (e.g., FastAPI, Flask).
• Experience with containerization, especially with Docker
• Experience in Extraction, Transformation, and Load (ETL)
• Hands-on development experience in a Linux environment including bash or bash-like scripting
• Strong understanding of RESTful APIs and microservice architecture
• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes: deploying, monitoring, and debugging services
• Understanding of common design patterns, security practices, and logging/monitoring principles
• Familiarity with Git and collaborative workflows (PRs, reviews)
• Experience with DevOps practices and tools including Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools and practices, especially Gitlab or Jenkins
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with AGILE practices
• Enthusiastic with the ability to work well in a team and a self-starter who can work on their own
• Experience with designing and implementing software development kits
• Familiarity DGX (Deep GPU Xceleration)
• Active Security+ certification and ability to obtain Privileged User Account (PUA) certification by the Government
• Elasticsearch certifications or other program stack related certifications
• Experience of a production/enterprise systems at scale
• Knowledge of distributed systems concepts (e.g., idempotency, eventual consistency)
• Familiarity with schema registries and Kafka streaming patterns
• Experience blending analytical methodologies and leveraging existing COTS/GOTS/OS tools in an unconventional manner.
• Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS/C2S)
• Familiarity or experience with building applications around Large Language Models, Agentic AI
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Skills

Required

• Python
• FastAPI
• Flask
• Docker
• ETL
• Linux
• bash
• RESTful APIs
• Kubernetes
• Git
• CI/CD
• Gitlab

Preferred

• Software development kits
• DGX
• Security+
• Elasticsearch
• Distributed systems
• Schema registries
• Kafka streaming
• COTS/GOTS/OS tools

Benefits

• 3 Medical Plan Options
• Dental and Vision
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Training and Educational Assistance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Federal holidays
• 401k plan with up to a 6% match (100% immediate vesting)
• Salary range considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
• $131,300.00 - $237,350.00