Senior Software Engineer - Production Engineering at the Edge

District Partners is supporting one of the most advanced, mission-driven defense tech companies in the country. They’re considered the gold standard in modern national security engineering, and we’re helping them expand a team that’s building software with real-world impact.

These Software Engineers join a flagship program that’s been in the national spotlight for both its ambition and its operational importance. The work blends autonomy, robotics, sensor fusion, high-performance distributed systems, and real-time mission software. You’re not tweaking settings pages; the code you write affects real-world outcomes.

This is production engineering at the edge. It’s hands-on, hardware-adjacent, and deeply technical. You’re building systems that coordinate sensors, process massive data streams, and make decisions across a distributed network where milliseconds matter.

The engineering challenges here are the real deal:

• Real-time distributed systems where latency actually matters
• High-performance C++, RUST and Python driving autonomy, tracking, and decision engines
• Sensor fusion across radar, EO/IR, RF, and simulation inputs
• Software that spans hardware, cloud, and edge compute
• Robotics-adjacent work that requires clean abstractions and strong fundamentals
• A culture built around precision, pace, and engineers who think clearly under pressure

They want depth, not “good enough.” Strong CS fundamentals are non-negotiable, and the technical bar is high by design.

What they look for:

• 7+ years building production-grade software
• Professional experience with languages such as Java, Python, C++, Rust, Go, and JavaScript
• Mastery of algorithms, data structures, concurrency, and networking
• Experience working in real-time, distributed, or safety-critical systems
• Comfort working close to hardware, sensors, and simulation environments
• A mindset made for solving difficult problems with clean, reliable code

Location + Clearance:

• These roles are full-time onsite in Washington, DC.
• An active Top Secret clearance is required. No exceptions.

Compensation:

• Compensation is designed to match the technical bar, with total comp reaching the 250k+ range through base salary, bonus, and equity.
• The client will fly candidates in for onsite interviews and offers relocation support.

The process is selective but straightforward:

• Two video interviews focused on fundamentals, systems thinking, and collaborative problem-solving
• One onsite interview in DC
• A real-time coding assessment (video + in-person) that evaluates depth, clarity of thought, and the ability to write clean, correct code under realistic conditions

This company invests heavily in evaluating talent because they want elite engineers—and they’re building a team that reflects that.