Software Engineer - Senior

Job Description

Job Description

We’re looking for a Senior Software Engineer to lead software development initiatives for enterprise AI platforms, provide technical leadership and architectural guidance while delivering high-quality, scalable software solutions.

About Spear AI

Spear AI is a growing defense contracting company dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that support our nation’s security. As we expand, we’re building a culture where innovation meets mission-critical work. We operate with a flat organizational structure that empowers every team member to make an impact, collaborate directly with leadership, and contribute to projects that matter. Whether you’re joining our Hardware, Software, or Services division, you’ll work alongside talented professionals who are committed to excellence and advancing the capabilities that keep our nation safe and secure.

The Services team is Spear AI’s applied engineering and technical advisory arm - embedded alongside government customers to design, build, and operate the AI pipelines, data infrastructure, and software systems that take emerging AI capability from concept to fielded mission impact. The team brings together machine learning engineers, data engineers, software engineers, cloud architects, and operational subject matter experts who pair deep technical skill with a working understanding of how the Intelligence Community and DoD actually function day to day. Services engagements vary from small, focused capability sprints to multi-year embedded support across classified environments.

What You Will Do

• Lead design and implementation of complex full stack systems, services, and applications supporting the customer's AI/ML and analytic mission

• Architect end-to-end solutions across front-end UIs, back-end services, APIs, and data layers

• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs, microservices, and event-driven architectures

• Build and improve user interfaces and operator-facing dashboards used in mission workflows

• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to mid- and junior-level developers

• Establish coding standards, best practices, and development processes across the team

• Drive technical decision-making, technology selection, and architectural direction

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (data engineers, AI/ML engineers, mission analysts) on system integration and optimization

• Lead code reviews and ensure software quality, security, and performance standards

• Develop and maintain technical documentation, system specifications, and ADRs

• Identify and implement performance optimizations and scalability improvements

• Own and improve CI/CD pipelines, build automation, and DevSecOps practices across the development lifecycle

• Design, develop, and operate Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers and tool integrations enabling agentic AI capabilities for mission users

Who You Are

• You’re forward‑thinking. You take initiative and don’t wait to be handed a backlog.

• You’re flexible. You’re comfortable with ambiguity and eager to push the technical state of the art.

• You own the problem. You can spot a mission gap, frame a solution, and drive it to delivery.

• You dive deep. You need to understand how things actually work, and you build prototypes and experiments to prove it.

• You live on the bleeding edge. You track upcoming platform features and can’t wait for the next nightly to drop.

• You’re a great teacher. You break down complex concepts for any audience and make the ideas click.

• You’re mission‑driven. “Operationally relevant” isn’t a buzzword to you, it’s the bar you expect to clear.

Why Work With Spear AI:

• We ship — We don’t work on 18-month projects that are irrelevant before they’re even finished.

• Our work has impact — We build products that are deployed to U.S. submarines and integrate with the sonobuoys we manufacture.

• We’re growing responsibly — We have the resources to hire a lot more people, but we don’t want to build a massive team of people who don’t share our values.

• We’re remote — Work from wherever you want. We collaborate in real time on Slack or asynchronously via GitHub.

• We’re profitable — We aren’t burning through cash trying to make the business work. But we also have investors who believe in us and are committed to our success.

• We care about doing great work — You don’t need permission to sweat the details here.

• We don’t take ourselves too seriously — We’re building products that make the world safer. But we don’t let that get to our heads.

Important Skills

• 8+ years of hands‑on software development experience building production systems

• Active TS/SCI clearance with ability to obtain CI Polygraph

• Expertise in multiple programming languages and technology stacks: a modern JS framework (React, Angular, or Vue) plus at least one back-end language/framework (Python/FastAPI/Django, Node.js, Java/Spring, or Go)

• Strong understanding of software architecture patterns, system design, and API design (REST and/or GraphQL)

• Experience with relational and non-relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, etc.)

• Experience with cloud-native development and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)

• Proven track record of leading technical teams and mentoring developers

• Deep knowledge of secure coding practices, authentication/authorization (OAuth, SAML, OIDC), and performance optimization

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to rapidly learn novel AI platforms, frameworks, and tool integrations, including those enabling agentic AI capabilities

Nice to Have

• TS/SCI CI Poly clearance

• Strong AWS cloud skills (ECS/EKS, Lambda, S3, IAM, RDS, and CloudWatch)

• Experience with GitLab and GitLab CI/CD pipelines

• Strong DevSecOps background (secure SDLC, SAST/DAST, container scanning, secrets management, and policy-as-code)

• Experience designing, building, or integrating with MCP servers and tool-using LLM systems

• Military experience strongly preferred

• Intelligence Community experience strongly preferred

What Spear AI Offers

• Unlimited PTO — Take the time you need to recharge and maintain work-life balance.

• Dedicated sick time — Your health and well-being come first.

• Comprehensive health and benefits – Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family protected.

• 11 Paid Holidays — Enjoy time off throughout the year to celebrate and spend time with loved ones.

• Professional development — Educational opportunities and resources to help you grow your skills and advance your career.

• Collaborative environment — Work directly with leadership in our flat organizational structure, where your ideas and contributions matter.

• Mission-driven work — Contribute to projects that directly support national security and make a real-world impact.

Additional benefit opportunities when you choose Spear AI:

• 401(k) with company match.

• Onsite / Remote / Flexible work arrangements or hybrid options (position dependent).

• Relocation assistance (position dependent).

• Referral bonuses.

• Performance bonuses.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Technology home office setup stipend.

• Professional certification reimbursement (position dependent).

We offer competitive compensation tailored to your experience, location, and the impact you’ll make. We’re committed to equitable pay and will share a range aligned to your level and geography during the hiring process. In accordance with state law, candidates in jurisdictions such as CA, CO, WA, NY, and others, where applicable, will be provided a good-faith salary range upon request and throughout the hiring process. This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Compensation for this position is provided on a salaried basis and is not subject to reduction based on hours worked. At Spear AI, you’ll find more than just a job; you’ll join a mission-driven team where your work directly contributes to national security. Our flat organizational structure means your voice matters, your ideas reach leadership, and your impact is visible. As we grow, we’re committed to building robust processes and infrastructure that support both our mission and our people. We value collaboration, continuous improvement, and the expertise each team member brings to the table. If you’re looking for a place to grow professionally while working on projects that truly matter, we’d love to hear from you.