Principal Software Engineer- HYBRID

Forward Deployed Engineer

Transform technology into opportunity as a Forward Deployed Engineer at GDIT. Shape what’s next for mission-critical government projects while shaping what’s next for your engineering career. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, the work you’ll do at GDIT will be impactful to the mission of our customer.

We value:

  - Writing code rather than documents

  - Shipping products rather than talking about roadmaps

  - Big features rather than changing button colors

 If this sounds like you, let's talk.

  Who You Are:

• We're looking for engineers of accomplishment who are passionate about our mission and have a strong desire to make a meaningful impact. You should be able to demonstrate the tangible value you've delivered in previous roles.
• The ideal candidate will be proficient in Python/Java or similar language, an expert in the majority of language  constructs, and able to apply them fluently to solve complicated and complex problems
• You thrive in environments that demand continuous learning and adaptation, embracing new technologies and approaches as the software engineering landscape evolves. You're not afraid to venture into uncharted territory and actively leverage AI tools to amplify your engineering capabilities and deliver greater impact.

  What You'll Do:

• Work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where ideas are discussed and challenged openly
• Deliver new features and improve reliability of our core services including the major read/write paths for customer intake, application screening, and information dissemination
• Identify major system bottlenecks or flaws in business logic, and proactively address them
• Take ownership over core product problems, develop solutions you're proud of, and prove through data that they deliver impact at scale
• Work across the stack to solve problems -- there is no reliance on another engineer or team to get something done   for you
• Lead a team of Developers to engineer and develop software to solve complex user problems
• Communicate technical decisions and trade-offs effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Conduct technical demos and rapid prototyping to validate concepts and accelerate solution adoption with stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong client relationships with customer and internal leadership and technical teams
• Actively support business growth initiatives including capability demonstrations, and innovation showcases

 What We're Looking For:

  Evidence of Engineering Accomplishment:

• Demonstrated track record of delivering high-impact software solutions in professional settings
• Proven ability to design and implement distributed systems (multi-tier architectures) including storage layers,  caching layers, application layers, with understanding of failure modes
• Verifiable experience with microservice architectures, especially in high-throughput and low-latency systems
• Portfolio of work showing expertise with system transformations (e.g., applying strangler patterns to evolve  monoliths to microservices)
• Experience with complex systems migrations involving multiple phases (dark reads, dark writes, light reads,   light writes)

  Technical Excellence:

• Expert-level proficiency in at least one modern programming language (Java, Python, or similar)
• Expert-level proficiency in cloud engineering paradigms, especially high-scale asynchronous systems and secure service integration patterns
• Deep understanding of design patterns, reliability, and scaling principles
• Strong architectural and system design capabilities

  Leadership & Communication:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Experience mentoring engineers, leading technical teams, or serving as a tech lead
• Ability to influence technical direction and advocate for sound engineering practices
• Proven success in client-facing roles, including delivering technical presentations and building trusted-advisor relationships with government stakeholders

  Adaptability & Growth:

• Track record of learning and adapting to new technologies, frameworks, and methodologies
• Demonstrated embrace of AI and automation tools to enhance productivity and engineering outcomes
• Comfort with ambiguity and willingness to venture into new problem domains

Note: We value demonstrated accomplishment and impact over years of experience. If you can show us the value you've created, the problems you've solved, and your ability to grow with the evolving demands of modern software engineering, we want to hear from you.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED
● Education: Technical Training, Certification(s) or Degree
● Experience: 10+ years of related experience
● Technical skills: modern programming languages (Java, Python, or similar); cloud engineering paradigms; architectural and system design
● Security clearance level: Public Trust 6C
● US citizenship required
● Role requirements: Position is Hybrid but candidate must be located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (DC/MD/VA) with ability to be onsite at customer site in Washington, DC on a regular and recurring basis (typically 2–3 days per week, subject to client requirements)

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE
At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.
● Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
● Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
● Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
● Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY
Explore a career in software development at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your dedication to advancing innovation.