Principal Software Engineer

Job Description

Awetomaton is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to set and uphold the technical bar for a cloud-native, event-driven system used across a national intelligence enterprise. You'll own the architecture patterns, the quality gate, and the build environment - staying close to the code while guiding a team of engineers through design and delivery. The ideal candidate will possess a BS degree or higher and have 15+ years of experience (or Masters \& 12+ years experience)

*This position will be performed out of Dayton, OH, with relocation packages available for out-of-state talent. **Active DoD Top Secret security clearance required**.*

**Criteria for success**

* Own the technical approach and code-quality standard across development; lead design reviews and establish patterns for cloud-native, event-driven microservices.
* Guide development, refactoring, integration, and deployment of enterprise data services to government cloud environments.
* Own the software build environment and end-item source delivery to the government source-code repository, including version history and reproducible builds.
* Ensure deliveries meet the no-major-defect (Category 1/2) threshold and align to agile artifacts and required contract documentation.
* Mentor engineers; serve as the technical liaison to the SME and government technical leads.

**Req** **uired Experience and Skills**

* Active TS/SCI.
* 15+ years of software engineering experience (or MS + 12), including 5+ years leading cloud-native microservice teams.
* Deep, hands-on experience with containers and Kubernetes, modern backend languages (Go, Java, and/or Python), and REST plus asynchronous/event-driven APIs.
* Demonstrated ownership of secure SDLC practices and CI/CD-based delivery.
* Experience leading teams in an Agile/Scrum environment.

**Desired Education and Experience**

* CKA or CKAD certification; relevant Scrum certification.
* Event-driven / streaming platforms (Kafka, NATS, Numaflow, or similar).
* Enterprise search, data-catalog, or large-scale data-services experience.
* Multi-enclave delivery experience.
* BS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

**About Awetomaton**

We build software that enables humans to make informed decisions from raw intel data, with a specialization in satellite collection. We are a Dayton-based defense startup that believes there is a critical skill \& culture gap - one we are filling with high-output, mission focused engineering talent. Results matter to our customers. We've never lost a customer because we deliver what they need. Awetomaton is where you do work that matters with a passionate team in an environment that inspires your creativity.

**Benefits**

We provide industry leading benefits that balance your health \& wellbeing today, as well as lay a solid financial future into retirement. Highlights of our benefit plan include:

* Flexible time off totaling 36 days / year. No approvals required.
* 100% 401k company match up to IRS annual limits. This is a benefit of up to $24,500 for 2026.
* Health plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield with Health Savings Account (HSA). We pay 95% of employee premiums including family plans.
* Employee favorite: Tech and Wellness reimbursement of $3000 / year. Treat yourself with the newest gadgets or athletic gear. No approvals required.
* Annual profit sharing as 401k contribution. No set percent and dependent on annual company performance. Benefit is above and beyond 401k match.
* MacBook laptop and well-equipped office spaces for optimal productivity in office and on-the-go.