Senior Backend Engineer, Space Operations Intelligence & Autonomy (SOIA)

Slingshot Aerospace•Colorado Springs, CO

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

Space Operations Intelligence & Autonomy (SOIA) is the core of Slingshot’s mission. It includes the systems and software that enable satellites, operators, and constellations to understand their environment, anticipate behavior, and act autonomously in dynamic space conditions. Our capabilities span real-time domain awareness, high volume event detection, autonomous maneuver planning, AI-driven behavior modeling, anomaly detection, risk assessment, and high-fidelity simulation environments. Together, these form the intelligence and autonomy stack powering safer, smarter, and more resilient space operations. As a Senior Backend Software Engineer, you’ll build the distributed systems, data platforms, and real-time services that drive Slingshot’s intelligence, autonomy, and simulation products. Your work will enable advanced space domain awareness, autonomous maneuver planning, high-fidelity event detection, and mission ready training environments for national security and commercial customers. You’ll influence architectural direction, mentor teammates, collaborate with AI/ML and autonomy engineers, and turn complex operational needs into scalable, high reliability software that directly supports the safety and resilience of space operations.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in software development
4-year degree in computer science, engineering, or related field
Active security clearance required; Top Secret preferred
Experience using our stack or similar technologies (Java/Kotlin, GraphQL/GraphQL subscriptions, REST, Docker, Kubernetes, React, Python)
Adept in working with cloud-based deployments (AWS) including PaaS and IaaS offerings and Infrastructure-as-Code
Capable working with containers and container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, EKS)
Deep working knowledge of version control (Git) and CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions)
Experience with event-driven architectures including Kafka and CloudEvents, data platforms, microservices, and distributed systems
Knowledge of database design, performance, and troubleshooting (PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
Skilled in collaborating with data scientists to incorporate AI/ML/LLM into production software

Nice To Haves

Security compliance accreditation experience (NIST 80053, DoD ILs, FedRAMP)
Experience with software startups and product centric organizations
Knowledge of frontend technologies including React and Three.js
Collaboration experience with DevOps and infrastructure teams
Familiarity with QA practices
Track record of predictable software delivery with Product partners
Prior space or aerospace industry experience (bonus, not required)
Experience integrating complex external systems via APIs
Experience with simulation technologies like HLA/DIS

Responsibilities

Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s core values, mission, and purpose
Work across the technology team with product managers, designers, and engineers to build rightsized solutions that advance Slingshot’s SOIA capabilities
Meet product requirements in a timely manner while not compromising operational stability
Participate in Agile software development and deployment processes
Provide ongoing support for services and applications that are mission critical to real-time space operations intelligence
Communicate methods, findings, and hypotheses with stakeholders
Work across both frontend and backend services to deliver value to internal and external users
Build data platforms/pipelines, microservices, interactions with AI agents, and distributed systems powering SOIA workflows
Build and document APIs (REST, GraphQL) supporting high volume, real-time data flows
Develop advanced data interfaces and interactive user experiences that streamline operator decision cycles
Turn architecture ideas into technical specifications that can be executed by anyone on the team