Senior Software Engineer - Backend Python

Job Description
At BAE Systems, we help protect those who protect us. We are seeking a Senior Python Backend Engineer to join our Digital Architecture Team (DAT). In this role, you will be the driving force behind the services that power our digital transformation, building the high-performance backend systems that turn raw engineering data into mission-critical capabilities.
You will be responsible for designing and implementing scalable, secure, and maintainable microservices that sit at the heart of our autonomous mission management and data analytics platforms. You will work at the intersection of high-performance computing and cloud-native architecture, ensuring our backend is robust enough to handle the rigors of defense-industry requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Microservice Development: Design and develop high-performance backend services using Python, focusing on scalability, maintainability, and low-latency response times.
API Design & Implementation: Lead the development of gRPC and RESTful APIs, utilizing Protobuf to ensure efficient, type-safe communication between distributed services.
System Integration: Build the "glue" that connects our containerized microservices platform to both modern cloud databases and legacy Windows-based infrastructure.
Backend Optimization: Optimize application performance through efficient concurrency models (AsyncIO), caching strategies, and database query optimization.
DevOps & Deployment: Own the containerization of your services using Docker and Kubernetes, integrating them into robust CI/CD pipelines for automated deployment.
Technical Leadership: Lead code reviews, establish Python coding standards (PEP 8), and mentor mid-level and junior engineers to ensure a high bar for software quality.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Required Education & Experience Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 6+ years of professional experience in backend software engineering, with a heavy emphasis on the Python ecosystem.
• Core Technical Stack: Advanced Python: Mastery of Python 3.x, including asynchronous programming (AsyncIO), decorators, and type hinting.
• High-Performance Comms: Professional experience with gRPC and Protocol Buffers (Protobuf).
• Frameworks: Proficiency with modern Python frameworks (e.g., FastAPI, Flask, or Django).
• Database Interaction: Strong experience with PostgreSQL and ORMs like SQLAlchemy.
• Infrastructure: Hands-on experience with Docker and Kubernetes in a production environment.
• Must be a US Citizen, eligible for a US Secret security clearance.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience with message brokers or event-driven architectures (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ, or Redis).
• Familiarity with C# or other statically typed languages to support integration with legacy systems.
• Experience implementing OAuth2, JWT, or other secure authentication/authorization patterns.
• Knowledge of distributed system patterns (Circuit Breaker, Saga, etc.).
• Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Clearance.
• Culture Fit
• Clean Code Advocate: A passion for writing readable, testable, and maintainable code with a strong emphasis on unit and integration testing.
• Architectural Thinker: Ability to look beyond the immediate ticket to understand how a service affects the entire system's reliability.
• Collaborative Problem Solver: A willingness to partner with Data Engineers and Frontend developers to create a seamless end-to-end user experience.
• Mission-Driven: A commitment to the reliability and security required for national security applications.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $97008 - $164914
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.