Senior Backend Developer

Global Dimensions is currently seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Backend Developer to support mission-critical application development for an Intelligence Community (IC) customer in Annapolis Junction, Maryland; Washington, DC; or Reston, Virginia. The successful candidate will design, develop, maintain, and optimize secure, scalable backend systems that support complex operational requirements and mission-driven applications.

The Senior Backend Developer will leverage expertise in Python, Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, OpenSearch, and PostgreSQL to develop robust backend services, RESTful APIs, and database solutions. This position requires strong software engineering capabilities, experience troubleshooting complex application environments, and the ability to collaborate with technical teams, customers, and mission stakeholders. The ideal candidate will demonstrate sound technical judgment, a commitment to software quality, and the ability to mentor developers while supporting reliable and secure application delivery.

Essential Job Functions:

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, incorporating request validation, comprehensive error handling, and secure authentication and authorization mechanisms.

Utilize Pydantic for data validation and SQLAlchemy for database access, object-relational mapping, and efficient data management within Python applications.

Design, implement, and maintain PostgreSQL database schemas, queries, indexes, and migrations, ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and data integrity.

Develop and maintain Docker images and containerized applications, including writing Dockerfiles, configuring containers, and troubleshooting deployment-related issues.

Deploy, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot applications within OpenShift and Kubernetes-based environments to support reliable and efficient application operations.

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, application integrations, and deployment environments.

Collaborate with customers, product owners, software engineers, and other stakeholders to clarify technical requirements, identify dependencies, evaluate solutions, and estimate implementation efforts.

Participate in technical architecture discussions, system design reviews, and code reviews to promote software quality, maintainability, security, and adherence to engineering best practices.

Develop and maintain automated tests, technical documentation, and software development artifacts to support application reliability and long-term maintainability.

Mentor and provide technical guidance to developers, promoting effective coding practices, knowledge sharing, and continuous technical improvement.

Collaborate with DevOps, operations, cybersecurity, and infrastructure teams to support secure application deployment, system integration, and reliable delivery of mission-critical software solutions.

Identify opportunities to improve application performance, scalability, security, and operational efficiency through engineering enhancements and process improvements.

Required Skills:

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance with an active Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph is required.

Nine (9) years of professional experience in software engineering, systems engineering, or a closely related technical field with comparable responsibilities and scope.

Education may substitute for professional experience as follows: A bachelor's degree may substitute for four (4) years of experience, and a master's degree may substitute for six (6) years of experience.

Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and maintaining backend services and RESTful APIs supporting complex application environments.

Strong hands-on experience developing and maintaining Python-based backend applications and services, including implementing 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, with the ability to translate customer requirements and business needs into clear, actionable technical specifications.

Ability to collaborate effectively with software developers, product owners, operations personnel, and security teams in a mission-focused, collaborative development environment.

Desired Skills:

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 working in Linux environments and familiarity with Kubernetes concepts, container orchestration, and OpenShift application deployments.

Experience designing, configuring, and maintaining Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (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, including collaboration 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.