Software Development Engineer, Senior

Booz Allen Hamilton•Usa, DC

About The Position

This opportunity is for a Senior Software Development Engineer to support the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The role involves operating at a system-of-systems level to advance AI-enabled systems within an R&D environment. The engineer will help conceptualize, create, and execute advanced government-funded research and development programs aimed at accelerating better health outcomes. This includes working with world-class scientists and engineers to develop high-impact solutions to challenging health problems. The position requires leveraging technical expertise to provide strategic assessments of new technologies to senior ARPA-H decision makers, producing and presenting findings and recommendations on the feasibility and potential impact of future research programs, assisting with current program management, and facilitating the commercialization of successfully developed technologies. Specifically, the engineer will serve as an AI/ML Infrastructure Software Engineer, advising program leadership and supporting software engineering to ensure program-wide technical architecture and engineering adhere to rigorous AI development, evaluation, and long-term impact. Success in this mission requires attention to detail, flexibility, strong communication skills, an understanding of the client's mission, and problem-solving abilities.

Requirements

3+ years of experience building and operating production-grade software systems
Experience with algorithms, data structures, distributed systems, design patterns, cloud platforms, such as Azure, AWS, or GCP, and containerization, such as Docker
Experience working in high-velocity, end-to-end delivery environments
Experience in interacting and communicating with senior-level executives, including SES or GS-15
Experience with using Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Knowledge of modern backend frameworks and asynchronous programming models
Ability to work in at least 2 backend programming languages, including Python
Ability to operate independently within a fast-paced start-up environment involving CI/CD pipelines and produce clear, actionable product stories and specs
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Suitability/Fitness determination based on client requirements
Bachelor’s in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Nice To Haves

Experience with LLM integration, such as tool-calling, RAG, multi-step reasoning, and context management
Experience with multi-agent orchestration and Agent-to-Agent (A2A) communication patterns
Experience with prompt engineering, model behavior differences, and LLM evaluation methods
Experience with startup environments or regulated domains such as healthcare or life sciences
Experience with Microsoft Azure services, such as Azure Functions, API Management, Container Apps, or Azure OpenAI
Knowledge of token economics, cost optimization, and context budget management
Knowledge of Model Context Protocol (MCP) for tool discovery and invocation
Knowledge of security best practices, including secrets management and least-privilege access
Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills
Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field

Responsibilities

Create and analyze processes, communicate requirements, and develop innovative solutions throughout the execution of the mission
Review program-wide technical architecture
Provide AI/ML infrastructure expertise
Operate at a system-of-systems level to support clients in advancing AI-enabled systems within an R&D environment
Help conceptualize, create, and execute advanced government-funded research and development programs to accelerate better health outcomes
Support the development of high-impact solutions to society's most challenging health problems
Leverage technical expertise to provide strategic assessments of new technologies in support to senior ARPA-H decision makers
Produce and present findings and recommendations to a team of colleagues and clients on the feasibility and potential impact of future research programs
Assist with the management of current programs
Facilitate commercialization of successfully developed technologies
Serve as an AI/ML Infrastructure Software Engineer advising program leadership and supporting software engineering to support the client mission
Support clients in ensuring that program-wide technical architecture and engineering adhere to rigorous AI development, evaluation, and long-term impact