General Atomics Integrated Intelligence Inc. (GA-I3) develops cutting-edge software solutions that transform raw data into actionable intelligence. We specialize in real-time global situational awareness and battle management, processing petabytes of data from hundreds of sources across air, land, and sea. Our systems-including the widely used THRESHER and DRAGONSPELL platforms-support tens of thousands of users at all levels of the DoD and Intelligence Community and enable critical decision-making for national security missions.
We process hundreds of thousands of observations per minute , operating at the scale of global sensor networks and battlefield telemetry. Our backend architecture leverages technologies like Kafka , AWS , NiFi , and GeoMesa -the latter of which we designed and open-sourced-to deliver high-throughput, mission-resilient systems that turn streaming data into real-time intelligence.
Why GA-I3?
GA-I3 combines the staying power of an experienced defense contractor with the agility and values of a mission-focused technology company. We've spent decades building systems our users love-trusted tools used daily by operators and analysts across the national security community. Our customers keep coming back because we deliver what we promise, and our engineers stay because they get to solve real problems that truly matter.
If you're looking for a place where engineering excellence meets enduring mission, GA-I3 is where you belong.
We are seeking a Backend Software Engineering Lead to help build the next generation of global situational awareness and battle orchestration capabilities-while also shaping the future of our technical team. In this role, you'll not only design and deliver performant, scalable software in collaboration with cross-functional teams-including UI/UX engineers, mission engineers, data scientists, and product owners-but also play a key part in mentoring and developing early-career engineers. You'll lead by example, foster a culture of continuous learning, and help cultivate the technical excellence and leadership potential of our next generation of talent.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Senior engineers at GA-I3 are technical leaders who drive strategy, architecture, and delivery across complex projects. In this role, you will lead a team dedicated to onboarding and enabling new technical talent, ensuring engineers are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to thrive from day one. You'll shape technical onboarding, mentor engineers, and collaborate with stakeholders to create a seamless, effective, and high-impact entry experience for new hires joining the Federal Portfolio.
Lead development activities
Lead the successful design, implementation, and delivery of high-impact backend software solutions
Guide long-term planning efforts and influence technical roadmaps for backend services and system architecture so they align with organizational goals, operational requirements, and product strategy
Provide technical leadership across the full development lifecycle, including design reviews, coding standards, and testing practices
Mentor engineers
Train engineers on the tools, techologies, and skills needed to excel in their career
Onboard new engineers, helping them build confidence and make early contributions
Foster a culture of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and curiosity
Collaborate internally
Represent the team as a technical point of contact with internal, cross-functional teams and program leadership
Collaborate with internal stakeholders on technical initiatives that span multiple teams and domains
Coordinate software deployments and upgrades across distributed environments
Evaluate and implement cross-platform deployment strategies, ensuring compliance with integration and security standards
Engineer performant solutions
Contribute to system-wide performance tuning and reliability improvements, identifying architectural risks and proposing mitigation strategies
We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.
49750Job Qualifications:
Typically requires education or formal training equivalent to the completion of a Bachelors degree in Software Engineering or related discipline and six or more years progressively complex experience. Additional professional experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
Expertise in Java and/or other backend languages (e.g., Scala, Go)
Demonstrated technical leadership in cross-functional engineering efforts
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience working directly with stakeholders
Interest and experience mentoring junior and mid level engineers
DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Expertise in backend architecture, distributed systems, and service design
Experience with performance tuning and high-availability system design
Familiarity with Kafka, NiFi, GeoMesa, AWS, or other cloud-native technologies
Experience with deployment technologies (Kubernetes, Helm, Istio, Rancher).
Ability to interface directly with customers and senior stakeholders
Experience working in the DoD or Intelligence Community
Salary: $112,320 - $205,058 Travel Percentage Required 0 - 25 Relocation Assistance Provided Provided US Citizenship Required? Yes Clearance Required? No Clearance Level null Workstyle Hybrid
General Atomics is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. To learn more visit https://tbcdn.talentbrew.com/company/499/v2_0/EEO Notices.pdf. U.S. Citizenship is required for certain positions.