Senior Backend Software Engineer (Python / FastAPI)

CHAOS Industries•San Francisco, CA

4d•$140,000 - $240,000•Onsite

About The Position

CHAOS Industries is hiring a Senior Backend Software Engineer to build and own backend services and data pipelines that move radar sensor data from the field to operators. The role focuses on turning real-time sensor data into actionable decisions, with an emphasis on low latency, reliability, security, and scale. It is based on-site in San Francisco, California. The engineer will own streaming, storage, and replay of detections, tracks, and telemetry for live and playback 3D geospatial views; build the decision layer coordinating a growing fleet of sensors as field conditions change; and shape platform architecture for new capabilities, scale, and long-term maintainability. The listed base salary range is $140,000–$240,000, excluding equity, bonuses, and benefits. Offers vary based on experience, skills, and business needs. Applicants must be a U.S. Person under U.S. export control regulations and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Requirements

Strong production experience building backend services in Python (FastAPI or similar).
Experience building real-time or streaming data systems, including message queues, WebSockets, or time-series data.
Experience owning a production system end to end: designing it, shipping it, and fixing it when it breaks.
Ability to use AI coding tools effectively, with considered judgment about what to delegate and what not to delegate.
Based in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area; the role is on-site.
Must be a U.S. Person as defined under U.S. export control regulations, as required for access to controlled technology.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Geospatial or 3D data visualization experience in TypeScript and React.
Experience with edge computing or moving data reliably over constrained or unreliable networks.
Experience with Azure or another major cloud platform.
Experience with hardware, sensors, robotics, telemetry, or defense systems.

Responsibilities

Build high-performance Python services that ingest, process, and distribute real-time sensor data with low latency, high reliability, and security at scale.
Build high-performance Python (FastAPI) services that ingest, process, and distribute real-time data securely at scale.
Own streaming, storage, and replay of detections, tracks, and telemetry for live and playback 3D geospatial views.
Build the decision layer that coordinates a growing fleet of sensors as field conditions change.
Shape platform architecture for new capabilities, scale, and long-term maintainability.