Senior Backend Developer

Global Dimensions, LLC•Washington, DC

About The Position

Global Dimensions is seeking an experienced Senior Backend Developer to support mission-critical application development for an Intelligence Community customer. The role is based in Annapolis Junction, Maryland; Washington, DC; or Reston, Virginia. The developer will design, develop, maintain, and optimize secure, scalable backend systems for complex operational requirements and mission-driven applications. The position uses Python, Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, OpenSearch, and PostgreSQL to build backend services, RESTful APIs, and database solutions. The developer will troubleshoot complex application environments, collaborate with technical teams, customers, and mission stakeholders, and contribute sound technical judgment and software quality practices. The role also includes mentoring developers and supporting reliable, secure application delivery.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance with an active Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph.
Nine years of professional experience in software engineering, systems engineering, or a closely related technical field with comparable responsibilities and scope. A bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of experience, and a master's degree may substitute for six years.
Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and maintaining backend services and RESTful APIs for complex application environments.
Strong hands-on experience developing and maintaining Python backend applications and services, including business logic, data processing, and system integrations.
Proficiency with PostgreSQL, including relational database design, data modeling, SQL development, schema migrations, indexing, and query performance optimization.
Working knowledge of OpenSearch, including data structures, indexing, querying, and integration with backend application services.
Hands-on experience with Docker and containerized application development, including writing Dockerfiles, building container images, configuring environments, and troubleshooting containers.
Understanding of backend application architecture, API development principles, database integration, and secure software development practices.
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues across application services, databases, and deployment environments.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills, including the ability to translate customer requirements and business needs into actionable technical specifications.
Ability to collaborate with software developers, product owners, operations personnel, and security teams in a mission-focused development environment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced expertise in Python software development, RESTful API architecture, and backend system design.
Familiarity with software development supporting the U.S. Department of Defense and Intelligence Community.
Experience in Linux environments and familiarity with Kubernetes concepts, container orchestration, and OpenShift application deployments.
Experience designing, configuring, and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and automating application build, testing, and deployment processes.
Demonstrated experience improving application security, accessibility, performance, scalability, and reliability.
Experience working in an Agile software development environment with product management, engineering, operations, and cybersecurity teams.
Familiarity with automated testing frameworks, secure coding standards, code quality practices, and modern DevSecOps methodologies.
Experience mentoring developers, contributing to technical design decisions, and supporting continuous improvement of software engineering processes.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, implement, and maintain backend application functionality using Python, Docker, Kubernetes, OpenSearch, PostgreSQL, and other approved technologies.
Develop and maintain backend services and RESTful APIs with request validation, comprehensive error handling, and secure authentication and authorization.
Use Pydantic for data validation and SQLAlchemy for database access, object-relational mapping, and data management in Python applications.
Design, implement, and maintain PostgreSQL schemas, queries, indexes, and migrations to support performance, scalability, and data integrity.
Develop and maintain Docker images and containerized applications, including writing Dockerfiles, configuring containers, and troubleshooting deployment issues.
Deploy, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot applications in OpenShift and Kubernetes environments.
Integrate and maintain OpenSearch functionality, including data structures, indexing strategies, search queries, and application-level search capabilities.
Investigate, diagnose, and resolve production issues affecting user interfaces, backend services, databases, integrations, and deployment environments.
Collaborate with customers, product owners, software engineers, and other stakeholders to clarify requirements, identify dependencies, evaluate solutions, and estimate implementation efforts.
Participate in technical architecture discussions, system design reviews, and code reviews to promote quality, maintainability, security, and engineering best practices.
Develop and maintain automated tests, technical documentation, and software development artifacts.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to developers, promoting effective coding practices and knowledge sharing.
Collaborate with DevOps, operations, cybersecurity, and infrastructure teams to support secure deployments, system integration, and reliable software delivery.
Identify opportunities to improve application performance, scalability, security, and operational efficiency.