Software Engineer, Infrastructure – Build Mission-Critical Systems for Space and Defense!

Los Angeles, CA | Hybrid

Opportunity Summary

A fast-growing Series A startup is developing the infrastructure backbone behind some of the most advanced systems in space and defense. This role requires an active Top Secret clearance and offers the chance to design, code, and scale distributed systems that support high-frequency telemetry and mission-critical operations. As one of the first infrastructure software engineers on the team, you’ll play a pivotal role in building the architecture, writing production code, and shaping the reliability of a platform designed for complex machines operating in demanding environments. If you thrive on technical challenges, want to code systems at scale, and are motivated by impact in national security, this opportunity is for you.

About Us

We are a venture-backed startup founded by engineers with backgrounds in aerospace, large-scale data platforms, and secure infrastructure. Our mission is to give engineers real-time observability over complex machines, enabling faster development cycles and greater system reliability. With strong investor support and a track record of scaling mission-critical technology, we are creating the tools that will power the future of defense and space systems.

Job Duties

• Write production code to design, build, and evolve core infrastructure systems.
• Implement automated deployment pipelines and modern DevOps frameworks.
• Partner with application engineers to boost performance, scalability, and resiliency.
• Develop proactive monitoring, alerting, and logging solutions for distributed environments.
• Contribute to hybrid cloud and on-premise architectures, including multi-region deployments.
• Lead efforts to improve infrastructure cost-efficiency, security, and operational excellence.
• Influence the engineering roadmap to ensure platform investments maximize customer impact.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance (TS/SCI strongly preferred).
• 8+ years of experience building distributed systems in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Strong coding ability in at least one modern language (Go, Java, Python, or similar).
• Hands-on work with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing in distributed systems.
• Knowledge of networking, service architecture, and cloud/on-prem hybrid setups.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort in ambiguity and high-ownership environments.
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to work across disciplines.

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with Go, Java, React, TypeScript, Kafka/Redpanda, Flink, or Terraform/CDK.
• Experience in developer productivity tooling or platform engineering.
• Exposure to high-frequency telemetry, real-time data pipelines, or observability stacks.
• Prior work in secure or classified engineering environments.

Why Join Us

• High-impact role shaping the foundation of a critical platform.
• Mission-driven culture supporting national security and next-generation technology.
• Direct influence on architecture, coding practices, and product direction.
• Fast-paced startup with room for growth and leadership.
• Competitive salary, equity participation, and benefits.
• Collaborative environment with technical depth and autonomy.

Compensation Details

$160,000 - $220,000

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