Senior Backend Engineer, Space Operations Intelligence & Autonomy SOIA

Slingshot Aerospace Inc

Colorado Springs, CO

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$150,000–$200,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Agile Programming Methodologies, Apache Kafka, Application Programming Interface (API), Architectural Services, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agents, Cargo/Freight, Computer Science, Continuous Deployment/Delivery, Continuous Integration, Data Management, Data Science, Database Design, DevOps, Distributed Computing, Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS), Diversity, Docker, Genetics, Git, GitHub, GraphQL, High Level Architecture (HLA), High Reliability Software, Identify Issues, Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, Mentoring, Microservices, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Product Design, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Quality Assurance Methodology, REST (Representational State Transfer), React.js, Risk Analysis, Security Clearance, Simulation, Software Administration, Software Development, Software Engineering, Source Code/Configuration Management (SCM), Space Operations, Startup, System Integration (SI), Team Player, Technical/Engineering Design, Time Management, User Interface/Experience (UI/UX), Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Colorado Springs, CO
POSTED
20 days ago

About Space Operations Intelligence & Autonomy (SOIA)

Space Operations Intelligence & Autonomy (SOIA) is the core of Slingshots mission. It includes the systems and software that enable satellites, operators, and constellations to understand their environment, anticipate behavior, and act autonomously in dynamic space conditions. Our capabilities span real-time domain awareness, high volume event detection, autonomous maneuver planning, AI-driven behavior modeling, anomaly detection, risk assessment, and high-fidelity simulation environments. Together, these form the intelligence and autonomy stack powering safer, smarter, and more resilient space operations.

What Youll Be Launching

As a Senior Backend Software Engineer, youll build the distributed systems, data platforms, and real-time services that drive Slingshots intelligence, autonomy, and simulation products. Your work will enable advanced space domain awareness, autonomous maneuver planning, high-fidelity event detection, and mission ready training environments for national security and commercial customers. Youll influence architectural direction, mentor teammates, collaborate with AI/ML and autonomy engineers, and turn complex operational needs into scalable, high reliability software that directly supports the safety and resilience of space operations.

Your Mission (Should you choose to accept it)

  • Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshots core values, mission, and purpose

Work across the technology team with product managers, designers, and engineers to buildrightsized solutions that advance Slingshots SOIA capabilities

Meet product requirements in a timely manner while not compromising operational stability

Participate in Agile software development and deployment processes

Provide ongoing support for services and applications that are mission critical to real-time space operations intelligence

Communicate methods, findings, and hypotheses with stakeholders

Work across both frontend and backend services to deliver value to internal and external users

Build data platforms/pipelines, microservices, interactions with AI agents, and distributed systems powering SOIA workflows

Build and document APIs (REST, GraphQL) supporting high volume, real-time data flows

Develop advanced data interfaces and interactive user experiences that streamline operator decision cycles

Turn architecture ideas into technical specifications that can be executed by anyone on the team

Pre-flight Checklist

  • 5+ years of experience in software development

4-year degree in computer science, engineering, or related field

Active security clearance required; Top Secret preferred

Experience using our stack or similar technologies (Java/Kotlin, GraphQL/GraphQL subscriptions, REST, Docker, Kubernetes, React, Python)

Adept in working with cloud-based deployments (AWS) including PaaS and IaaS offerings and Infrastructure-as-Code

Capable working with containers and container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, EKS)

Deep working knowledge of version control (Git) and CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions)

Experience with event-driven architectures including Kafka and CloudEvents, data platforms, microservices, and distributed systems

Knowledge of database design, performance, and troubleshooting (PostgreSQL, MongoDB)

Skilled in collaborating with data scientists to incorporate AI/ML/LLM into production software

Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Bonus Cargo

  • Security compliance accreditation experience (NIST80053, DoD ILs, FedRAMP)

Experience with software startups and product centric organizations

Knowledge of frontend technologies including React and Three.js

Collaboration experience with DevOps and infrastructure teams

Familiarity with QA practices

Track record of predictable software delivery with Product partners

Prior space or aerospace industry experience (bonus, not required)

Experience integrating complex external systems via APIs

Experience with simulation technologies like HLA/DIS

Were building a constellation here, not looking for identical satellites. Every member of the team brings different capabilities to the same mission. If your orbit intersects with ours and youre mission readysend it.

Location: Two open roles. Strong preference for Colorado Springs, CO for both roles.

Salary Range: $150,000 - 200,000 + Benefits

US-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following U.S. states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV We are unable to consider candidates residing in other U.S. states at this time.

Internationally-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following locations: United Kingdom. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other countries at this time.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for creating a safer, more connected world. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also national origin, citizenship, sex, color, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic that is part of ones identity. All of our employees points of view are key to our success, and we embrace individuality.

About the Company

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Slingshot Aerospace Inc