Senior Backend Engineer, Web & Cloud

About the Role

The Senior Backend Engineer, Web & Cloud will own backend systems that enable real‑time autonomy, data movement, and mission operations. The role involves architecting and scaling services, streaming pipelines, and secure cloud‑to‑edge capabilities that connect autonomous platforms, operators, and mission systems. • Design, develop, and maintain backend services for high‑rate data processing, telemetry, and mission workflows. • Architect scalable cloud and edge infrastructure and steer system‑level design decisions. • Build and manage APIs, service interfaces, and integration layers for internal systems and trusted partners. • Create data models, schemas, and patterns for structured and unstructured data across distributed environments. • Implement observability (metrics, logging, alerting, performance analysis) across all backend systems. • Ensure security, access controls, auditing, and data protection per defense requirements. • Lead technical discussions, design reviews, and drive architecture improvements. • Guide CI/CD, testing, automation, and deployment practices for reliable releases. • Collaborate with platform, autonomy, and mission operations engineers to ensure real‑world performance.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸backend services
• ▸cloud architecture
• ▸api integration
• ▸data modeling
• ▸observability
• ▸security

What You Bring

The position can be based on‑site in San Diego or remote, with up to 15% domestic travel and relocation assistance available. The work environment includes standard office and manufacturing settings with exposure to noise, temperature extremes, dust, or chemicals, requiring appropriate PPE. U.S. citizenship or eligible status is required to comply with ITAR and EAR regulations, and candidates must be able to obtain a DoD security clearance. • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. • ≥5 years of software engineering experience with a strong backend focus (Node.js, Django, Spring). • ≥2 years building and scaling cloud‑based services and APIs in production. • U.S. citizenship (ITAR) and ability to obtain a DoD security clearance. • Proven experience with distributed, real‑time data systems and public APIs. • Strong understanding of system architecture, modular services, and cloud design patterns. • Experience with relational and distributed databases (RDBMS, warehouses, time‑series stores). • Hands‑on Docker and container orchestration experience (Kubernetes, AWS Fargate, CI/CD pipelines). • Experience building secure, monitored, highly reliable production systems. • Excellent communication and ability to thrive in fast‑moving, mission‑focused environments. • Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (preferred). • Familiarity with robotics, IoT, or autonomous systems (preferred). • Experience with GraphQL (Apollo or equivalent) (preferred). • Proficiency in compiled systems languages (Go, Rust) (preferred). • Background in distributed data and real‑time streaming systems (preferred). • Experience deploying software in on‑prem or air‑gapped environments (preferred). • Knowledge of real‑time critical operations and modern communication protocols (HTTP/2, gRPC, NATS) (preferred). • Experience with agile, DevOps, and CI/CD practices (preferred). • Willingness to travel up to 15% domestically. • Ability to work in office/manufacturing settings with potential exposure to noise, heat, cold, dust, or chemicals (PPE required).

Requirements

• ▸bachelor's
• ▸node.js
• ▸docker
• ▸kubernetes
• ▸go
• ▸security clearance

Benefits

Compensation ranges from $133,000 to $179,000 in the U.S., reflecting experience, education, certifications, location, and other factors. Firestorm offers a collaborative culture, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, a 401(k) with company match, equity grants, unlimited PTO, generous holidays, parental leave, a lifestyle spending account, various insurance coverages, and 24/7 mental‑health resources. • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage. • 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution. • Equity grants for new hires. • Unlimited PTO and generous holiday calendar. • Parental leave and lifestyle spending account. • Multiple insurance options (HSA, FSA, DCFSA, hospital indemnity, critical illness, accident, life/AD&D, disability) fully covered. • 24/7 free mental‑health resources, legal and financial support.

Work Environment

Remote