Sr Backend Engineer, Discovery API

Posted Yesterday
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Westminster, CO, USA
In-Office
128K-187K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Computer Vision • Software • Analytics • Defense • Big Data Analytics
Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence to unlock a more autonomous, interoperable world.
The Role
Own and evolve a high-traffic catalog API for satellite imagery. Design backend services and data pipelines in Python, optimize PostgreSQL performance over large geospatial datasets, operate cloud infrastructure, and deliver reliable deployments with automated testing. The role offers significant architectural ownership on a small, autonomous team and involves geospatial standards, scalable services, and production modernization.
Summary Generated by Built In

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next.  Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.

To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Citizen. This position requires an active U.S. Government security clearance, applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment for cleared roles is contingent upon verification of clearance status.

Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Please review the job details below.

Summary 

Satellite imagery helps people map, monitor, and respond to what's happening across the planet, and our catalog API is how customers find and access it. We're looking for a senior backend developer to own that API end to end on a small, high-autonomy team, with real influence over its architecture and room to grow your scope. 

This is a hands-on role for someone who likes hard problems at scale: large geospatial datasets, both raster and vector, a high-traffic API, and performance work that actually matters. You'll design and build APIs and data pipelines in Python, tune performance against big Postgres datasets, and run it in the cloud.  

What You'll Do 

  • Own and evolve the catalog API, from design through production 

  • Build and operate the data pipelines that keep the catalog current 

  • Tune performance across the API and Postgres at scale 

  • Ship safely and often, with automated tests and reliable deploys 

  • Shape the architecture and technical direction alongside a small team 

Minimum Qualifications 

  • 6+ years of backend development, building secure, scalable services in production 

  • Strong Python and API design, with a framework such as FastAPI or Flask 

  • Deep experience building and operating data pipelines over large datasets 

  • Strong PostgreSQL, including performance tuning at scale 

  • Fluent building and operating cloud services (AWS, GCP, or similar), with infrastructure as code such as Terraform or CloudFormation 

  • Strong automated testing discipline 

  • Applies AI to accelerate implementation 

  • US citizenship required 

  • Able to obtain and maintain a US security clearance 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Catalog experience with geospatial data or other large-scale archives 

  • Familiarity with geospatial standards and tooling such as STAC, OGC APIs, PostGIS, and GDAL 

  • Kubernetes or similar container orchestration 

  • Zero-downtime deploys and service modernization 

 

Pay Transparency: To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role.

● The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $128,000.00 - $170,000.00 - $187,000.00 annually. 

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

Benefits: Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers

Additionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.  If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. 

The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.

To apply, submit your application via Vantor's Career page.

EEO Policy: Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Skills Required

  • 6+ years of backend development building secure, scalable production services
  • Strong Python and API design experience with FastAPI, Flask, or a similar framework
  • Deep experience building and operating data pipelines over large datasets
  • Strong PostgreSQL experience, including performance tuning at scale
  • Experience building and operating cloud services using AWS, GCP, or similar
  • Infrastructure as code experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar
  • Strong automated testing discipline
  • Ability to apply AI to accelerate implementation
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
  • Catalog experience with geospatial data or other large-scale archives
  • Familiarity with STAC, OGC APIs, PostGIS, and GDAL
  • Kubernetes or similar container orchestration experience
  • Experience with zero-downtime deployments and service modernization

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The Company
HQ: Westminster, CO
2,500 Employees
Year Founded: 1969

What We Do

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence to unlock a more autonomous, interoperable world. We empower decision makers and operators with the clarity they need to navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Our AI-powered spatial intelligence platform fuses data from the world’s highest-resolution satellites with real-time sensor feeds from space, air, and ground to create the most accurate living digital replica of Earth.

Why Work With Us

Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.

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