Junior Software Engineer- AI
About The Position
Exostar is seeking a hands-on software engineer to build and deploy production systems, including ambiguous, cross-cutting, or critical projects such as platform migrations, production-ready prototypes, architectural rebuilds, zero-downtime replacements, and integrations. The role operates in a FedRAMP Moderate and CMMC L2 environment serving major defense primes, where compliance requirements must be incorporated into engineering decisions. The engineer will write production code across Angular/TypeScript, .NET/C#, Python, or other technologies as needed, and use AI coding tools such as Claude Code and Copilot as part of daily development. The role owns systems end to end, from architecture through implementation, testing, and deployment, and builds cloud-native systems on Azure Government and commercial Azure using microservices, event-driven patterns, APIs, and data pipelines. It also includes driving infrastructure as code, CI/CD automation, and internal tooling. The engineer will set an example for engineering quality through code reviews, pairing, practical documentation, and sharing AI-augmented development techniques. They will also provide feedback on platform gaps and engineering friction, evaluate technologies through hands-on implementation, and address technical debt that slows teams down. The position is hybrid, three days per week, in Herndon, Virginia, or Cincinnati, Ohio. U.S. citizenship and the ability to gain and maintain Trusted Role are required.
Requirements
- At least 3 years of recent, hands-on software engineering experience.
- Track record of shipping full systems, not just features.
- Proficiency in at least two of Angular/TypeScript, .NET/C#, Python, or Java.
- At least 1 year building cloud-native systems; Azure is preferred and Azure Government is a plus.
- Comfort working across the stack, from infrastructure to backend and frontend.
- Daily use of Claude Code, Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf, or an equivalent AI development tool.
- Clear understanding of where AI excels and where it fails.
- Demonstrated examples of shipping faster and better with AI assistance.
- Ability to thrive in ambiguity, make reasonable assumptions, and ship.
- Strong but flexible opinions on architecture and developer experience.
- Clear, precise written communication.
- Experience building in regulated environments such as FedRAMP, CMMC, ITAR, SOC 2, or HIPAA.
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, information systems, or a related technical field.
- U.S. citizenship is required due to customer requirements.
- Ability to gain and maintain Trusted Role is required.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Azure Government (IL2/IL4/IL5), Entra ID, PIM, managed identities, or Zero Trust.
- Background in IAM, credentialing, PKI, or federated identity.
- Experience building developer tools, internal platforms, or shared infrastructure.
- Experience in Aerospace and Defense, Life Sciences, or other regulated SaaS environments.
- Agentic AI development experience, including MCP, multi-tool workflows, or AI-driven testing.
- A prototype or side project demonstrating advanced AI-augmented development.
Responsibilities
- Write production code daily across Angular/TypeScript, .NET/C#, Python, or other technologies required by the work.
- Use AI coding tools and agentic workflows as part of the development process.
- Own systems end to end, from architecture through implementation, testing, and deployment.
- Design and build systems within FedRAMP and CMMC constraints.
- Build on Azure Government and commercial Azure using microservices, event-driven patterns, APIs, and data pipelines.
- Deliver projects including migrations, prototypes, legacy replacements, and cross-system fixes.
- Drive infrastructure as code using Terraform or Bicep, CI/CD automation, and internal tooling.
- Set an example for engineering quality through code reviews, teaching, and pairing on complex problems.
- Share AI-augmented development techniques, including prompting, workflows, and context strategies.
- Write practical documentation such as READMEs and ADRs.
- Provide feedback on platform gaps, tooling, and engineering friction.
- Evaluate technologies by building with them in real environments and with real data.
- Identify and resolve technical debt that slows teams down.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance.
- Basic Life and AD&D insurance.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Flexible Spending Accounts.
- 401(k) matching.
- Flexible time off and sick leave.
- Training and educational assistance.
- Social and community-building events.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
