Description

The DarkStar Group is seeking a Backend Engineer with a Top Secret clearance to join one of our top projects in Herndon, VA.  Below is an overview of the project, as well as information on our company, our benefits, and our $25,000 referral program.

THE PROJECT

The DarkStar Group's team solves unique and challenging intelligence problems for a Special Operations customer. This work is as close to the mission as a technologist can get, so the environment is fast-paced: team members face rapidly-changing requirements and priorities as mission needs evolve. If you hate monotony and want to use your skills to have a direct impact on real-world operational success, this is the project for you.

We are a multi-faceted software development and systems administration team working to build and maintain software applications backed by a self-managed cloud infrastructure (OpenStack) with a true big-data footprint (over 10 petabytes). Our diverse background of experience in mission support and software development serves as a catalyst to solve unique and challenging intelligence problems in support of special operations analysts and their on-going activities. Prototyping and frequent, iterative feedback are core to our delivery approach, anchored by a need to work quickly in support of our missions.

The technical stack is quite robust and includes Java, Python, C#, C/C++, Geospatial tools, Big Data and Graph Products (Hadoop, MapReduce, Spark, ElasticSearch, Neo4j), Linux, OpenStack, AWS, Ansible, SQL/NoSQL, Text Processing, Cloud Services, Containerization, Infrastructure as Code (IAC), and more.

Work on this program takes place in the Herndon, VA area (we cannot support remote work) and requires a TS clearance and a willingness to obtain a CI Poly: a current TS/SCI + CI Poly is preferred.

THE ROLE

The DarkStar Group is seeking Backend Engineers of varying levels of experience to support the development, integration, and deployment of advanced intelligence capabilities into test and operational environments. You will be a member of a project team responsible for configuring and
maintaining backend systems, integrating various tools, and updating core codebases. This role
requires strong expertise in Java, geoserver technologies, and experience with pipeline integration and deployment.

DarkStar is a leader in the field of signal and image processing, working to build innovative
software solutions that support users in the defense and intelligence communities. Our products
and services contribute to missions in national security, environmental sustainability, and
advanced space operations. Now is your chance to make an impact by solving some of the
world’s most pressing challenges. 

Principal Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute the migration and updating of codebases from Java 8 to Java 17, including extracting hardcoded properties for better flexibility.
• Integrate and deploy backend pipelines, including Jenkins, across multiple environments.
• Work with geoserver to handle geospatial data and ensure proper backend functionality.
• Collaborate with teams to optimize performance, maintain databases, and streamline backend infrastructure across different network environments.
• Ensure smooth integration and communication between backend systems and other components within the operational infrastructure.

Required Skills

• Willingness to take a hands-on role in backend system integration, deployment, and maintenance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related discipline (4 years of additional experience may be substituted for a degree).
• 7+ years of experience in backend engineering, with strong expertise in Java (particularly experience migrating from Java 8 to Java 17).
• Hands-on experience with pipeline integration and deployment using Jenkins.
• Experience with geoserver and geospatial data integration.
• Familiarity with databases like PostgreSQL and MongoDB.

Desired Skills (Optional)

• Experience with NiFi configuration, workflow development, and deployment.
• Experience with cloud infrastructures and integrating backend systems in hybrid cloud environments.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, data processing, and automation tasks.
• Understanding of machine learning pipelines and their integration into backend systems.
• Experience with Docker for containerization and deployment in multi-environment systems.
• Ability to guide teams in adopting and optimizing backend technologies for large-scale operations.

About The DarkStar Group

Our Company

The DarkStar Group is a small business that solves BIG problems. We're one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the US, and our engineers and scientists support the most critical national security missions in Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. Data Science, Software Engineering, Cloud/AWS Infrastructure, and Cyber/CNO are our core areas of expertise. We offer interesting and important work, job security, some of the best and most flexible benefits you'll find in the IC, and salaries so strong that they'll likely surprise you. 

Our Benefits

The DarkStar Group offers exceptional compensation and benefits:

• very strong salaries;
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and all dependents;
• the ability to get increased salary if you don't need medical/dental/vision;
• 100% company-paid disability and life insurance benefits;
• a generously-funded HSA;
• an 8% 401(k) contribution; 
• 31 days of PTO/holidays to start (more with tenure);
• the ability to flex time across pay periods without using your PTO;
• a generous training budget;
• $25,000 employee referral bonuses;
• business development / growth incentives; and
• top notch company swag.

** We have a huge growth opportunity, so we are offering up to a $25,000 reward for anyone new you refer whom we hire. **

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.