Software Developer - Big Data (Space Domain)

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement scalable and efficient data ingestion pipelines using Apache NiFi to collect, transform, and route data from diverse sources such as satellite telemetry, ground station data, sensor feeds, and mission logs.
• Develop and maintain data processing applications primarily in Java, ensuring high performance, reliability, and security for mission-critical systems.
• Design and manage NoSQL databases, specifically MongoDB, to store large amounts of heterogeneous space-domain data, optimizing for read and write performance.
• Build and expose secure, performant Data APIs (RESTful/GraphQL) to enable internal and external applications to access and consume processed data, facilitating integration with analytics platforms, visualization tools, and other mission systems.
• Collaborate closely with data scientists, aerospace engineers, and mission specialists to understand data requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Implement data quality, validation, and governance processes within data pipelines to ensure data integrity and reliability.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize data workflows and database performance to ensure continuous operation and efficiency.
• Contribute to the full software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, deployment, and documentation, adhering to agile methodologies.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and best practices in data engineering, cloud computing, and the space industry.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience. Additional four (4) years experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of Top Secret clearance with ability to upgrade to TS/SCI and pass a polygraph within 30 days of employment or at customer request. The candidate must maintain the clearance.
• Proficiency in Java, including Model, Entity, Data Transfer Object (DTO), Data Access (DAO).
• Experience designing, developing, and implementing scalable data ingestion pipelines using Apache NiFi.
• Experience developing and maintaining data processing applications in Java for mission-critical systems.
• Experience designing and managing NoSQL databases, specifically MongoDB.
• Experience building and exposing secure, performant Data APIs (RESTful/GraphQL).
• Ability to collaborate with data scientists, aerospace engineers, and mission specialists.
• Knowledge of data quality, validation, and governance processes.
• Ability to monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize data workflows and database performance.
• Experience contributing to the full software development lifecycle and working within agile methodologies.
• Desire to stay current with emerging technologies in data engineering, cloud computing, and the space industry.

Nice to Have

• Experience with other big data technologies such as Apache Kafka, Apache Spark, Hadoop.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their data services.
• Experience with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.
• Knowledge of data warehousing concepts and methodologies.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Understanding of satellite data formats such as NetCDF, HDF5, CCSDS.
• Active CompTIA Security+ CE certification or working toward certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant experience or Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility and pass a polygraph.

Benefits & Perks

• Heavily subsidized employee benefits coverage for employees and dependents.
• 25 days of PTO accrued annually up to a generous PTO cap.
• Participation in an attractive bonus plan.