About the Role
Seeking a Technical Architect to lead the design and implementation of secure, scalable, and high-performance data processing platforms. The role requires deep technical knowledge in Python, FastAPI, event-driven architectures, MongoDB, and in-memory data stores like Redis. The individual will lead system design, define engineering standards, and ensure production-grade delivery across data layers while enforcing Secure SDLC practices. Some on-site presence in the DC area is required.
Responsibilities
- Design and deploy Python-based ETL frameworks, orchestration systems, and high-throughput data pipelines
- Develop and optimize real-time, event-driven streaming platforms using Kafka or RabbitMQ
- Create and scale microservices using FastAPI with emphasis on performance, security, and monitoring
- Lead data modeling, indexing, aggregation logic, and performance optimization in MongoDB
- Design caching mechanisms, session handling, and low-latency data access layers using Redis or comparable in-memory databases
- Enforce Secure Software Development Lifecycle practices across architecture, coding, CI/CD, and deployment processes
- Conduct architecture reviews and establish engineering standards for distributed systems
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to systems, data flow, and performance in production
- Lead initiatives in containerization, Kubernetes-native deployment models, and AWS cloud integration
Work Arrangement
Hybrid — Washington DC–Baltimore area
Meet Slingshot
The organization is focused on improving space safety and security, with applications in global security, disaster response, climate monitoring, and critical infrastructure. The team values innovation, collaboration, and impact-driven work across technical and operational roles. They prioritize speed, learning from failure, and openness to ideas from all disciplines. This is an opportunity to contribute to a growing industry with meaningful real-world impact.
What You'll Be Launching
This role involves leading the architecture and development of secure, scalable data processing systems. The ideal candidate has strong experience in Python, FastAPI, distributed event-driven systems, MongoDB, and in-memory data stores. They will own end-to-end system design and engineering standards across ingestion, transformation, streaming, and service layers, while ensuring Secure SDLC compliance. The position requires occasional on-site access to a SCIF in the DC area.
About the Team
This is a new role on a small, senior engineering team building scalable microservices, streaming pipelines, and AI-enhanced workflows. Technologies include Kafka, MongoDB, Redis, Kubernetes, and AWS GovCloud. The team operates in a high-security, high-impact environment with significant influence over platform architecture and engineering standards. Experience with distributed systems, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, and cloud-native development is highly valued.
Other
- Work is primarily remote but includes required on-site visits to a SCIF in the DC area
- Candidates should reside in the DC-Baltimore region
- Must hold an Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
