Senior Backend Platform Engineer, Distributed Systems

Job DescriptionJob Description

Help redefine how the DoD makes multi-billion-dollar force-design decisions. In this role, you'll fuse physics-driven simulation, interactive computing, and verified AI code- to create next- wargaming platforms. If building ultra-low-latency APIs, taming high-volume geospatial data, and leading with clean, production-ready Python gets you fired up, let’s talk.

What you’ll do

• Own the service layer—design, build, and scale FastAPI micro-services and lightning-fast ZeroMQ messaging pipelines running in Kubernetes and bare-metal clusters.
• Wrangle data at speed & scale—shape and query multi-TB Postgres/PostGIS datasets, orchestrate Redis for sub-millisecond state, and keep everything rock-solid under bursty load.
• Glue the stack together—expose crisp, well-versioned REST & WebSocket endpoints for the frontend crew and simulation kernel.
• Ship continuously—automate CI/CD, observability, and security hardening to DoD standards; push to prod with confidence.
• Lead by doing—drive code reviews, mentor teammates, and set the standard for test coverage and documentation.

Why Code Metal?

• Mission with impact: your APIs become the nervous system of digital battlefields influencing multi-billion-dollar defense acquisitions.
• Velocity: tight-knit teams, weekly releases, zero bureaucratic drag.
• Ownership: no passengers—every engineer ships code that matters.

Requirements

Must-have credentials

• 4+ years building production backends in modern Python, with deep FastAPI (or equivalent async framework) experience.
• Proven expertise in ZeroMQ, NATS, Kafka, or similar high-throughput messaging systems.
• Hands-on with Postgres/PostGIS and Redis in performance-critical workloads.
• Cloud- chops—Docker, Kubernetes, and one major provider (AWS, GCP, Azure, or GovCloud).
• Active Secret clearance or eligibility to obtain one.

Bonus points

• C++ or Rust skills for bridging high-performance simulation modules.
• Hardened services for FedRAMP / STIG compliance.
• Observability mindset—Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetry.
• TS/SCI clearance.

Benefits

• Health care plan with 100% premium coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.
• 401k with 5% matching.
• Paid Time Off (Uncapped Vacation, plus Sick & Public Holidays).
• Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• Relocation assistance for qualifying employees.