Principal Software Engineer

Who we are:

Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional small business with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development, with headquarters in McLean, VA. Our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

We’re looking for an experienced Principal Backend Engineer to support our customers and join our passionate team of high-impact problem solvers.

About the role: 

In your role as a Principal Backend Engineer, you will lead the design and development of scalable, data-intensive backend systems that power Raft's flagship products. You'll help architect and implement robust solutions using Golang and/or Java while ensuring security, performance, and reliability across mission-critical applications. As a hands-on technical leader, you'll mentor junior and mid-level engineers while spending significant time writing code and solving complex technical challenges. You'll work closely with customers at deployment sites, gathering feedback and implementing improvements to enhance the real-world performance of Raft's products in operational environments.

What we are looking for: 

• 8+ years of experience in backend software engineering with expertise in Golang and/or Java
• Proven experience building and scaling data-intensive systems and distributed architectures
• Deep understanding of DevSecOps principles and practices, including ICAM (Identity, Credential, and Access Management)
• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, including creating and managing Helm charts and Kubernetes operators
• Strong experience with cloud-native architectures and microservices design patterns
• Experience with data processing frameworks, streaming technologies, and high-throughput systems
• Knowledge of security best practices for enterprise and government systems
• Proven track record of mentoring and developing engineering talent
• Passion for staying current with emerging technologies and evaluating their potential impact
• Experience designing modular, extensible systems that enable technology evolution and component replacement based on user needs
• Proficiency with Agentic AI coding tools (such as Claude Code) with understanding of their capabilities, limitations, and when to leverage them for accelerated development.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to architect solutions for complex technical challenges
• Strong communication skills with ability to work effectively with both technical teams and customers
• Fast learner, analytical thinker, creative, hands-on approach to technical leadership
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and manage multiple technical priorities

Highly preferred:

• Experience with highly regulated industries (defense, aerospace, finance, healthcare) or environments requiring stringent security and compliance standards
• Familiarity with classification levels and secure development practices
• Experience with edge computing and tactical deployment considerations
• Knowledge of AI/ML infrastructure and data pipeline architectures
• Experience with container orchestration in air-gapped or disconnected environments
• Background in distributed systems, event-driven architectures, and real-time data processing
• Experience working directly with customers in operational environments
• Contributions to open-source projects or technical publications

Clearance Requirements:

• Ability to obtain and maintain an active TS SCI security clearance.
• Preference for candidates with an active clearance.

Work Type:

• Hybrid with preference for candidates based in DC Metro Area or Hanscom AFB, MA
• Foreign and domestic travel up to 30% to customer sites and deployment locations

What we will offer you: 

• Highly competitive salary
• Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) and company match
• Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays
• Education & training benefits
• Generous Referral Bonuses
• And More!

Our Vision Statement: 

We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission. 

Our Customer Obsession: 

We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.

How do we get there? 

Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm. 

Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.