Staff Software Engineer

About the role

Job Type Full-time Description Every lunar lander, defense system, and commercial spacecraft that maneuvers in space needs propulsion it can trust. That's what we build at Agile Space Industries and it's growing fast. Headquarters in Durango, Colorado, with operations expanding into Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Seattle, Washington, Agile has posted more than 40% year-over-year growth for three years running, with no signs of slowing down. We're looking for bold, hands-on leaders who wants to help write the next chapter of space history. This isn't a role for the faint of heart or managing from a distance, you'll be in the thick of driving next generation hardware development and delivery for critical space missions headed to the moon, multiple orbits, and enabling some of the most demanding missions flying as well as in concept. As an integral contributor during our growth stage, you'll be eligible to participate in our stock option plan, sharing directly in the value you help create. All stock grants are subject to executive review and approval under the Company's equity plan.   About the Role   When a rocket engine ignites on the test stand, hundreds of thousands of sensor readings per second generate a massive torrent of mission-critical data.  We are seeking a highly experienced, hands-on Staff Software Engineer/Architect to drive the vision, design, and execution of our scalable enterprise platforms that capture, stream, and analyze hot-fire test data in real time.  In this mission-critical role, you will bridge the gap between low-level sensor streams and high-throughput cloud analytics.  You will lead a cross-functional engineering team to transform raw combustion chamber pressures, cryogenic flow rates, and high-frequency vibration data into actionable propulsion insights - powering next-generation orbital flight systems. You will modernize legacy platforms into high throughput microservices/serverless architectures, manage cloud deployments, and interface directly with engineering leadership.  Key Responsibilities   System Architecture & Cloud Engineering   Architect, build, and optimize enterprise-grade services and high-throughput backend APIs to support advanced analysis of high-rate rocket engine telemetry data.  Design architectures that integrate enterprise/cloud platforms with real-time/embedded/telemetry data-acquisition systems while meeting strict compliance requirements.  Design systems that allow legacy and modern components to work together to improve operational efficiency for propulsion design, engine testing and manufacturing  Own end-to-end cloud infrastructure design using Azure and/or AWS. Drive Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and containerization strategies using Docker and Kubernetes.  Architect robust integration hubs and collaborate with specialized propulsion teams to integrate advanced technologies like predictive embeddings and natural language processing (NLP) into core workflows.  DevOps & CI/CD Optimization   Build, repair, and optimize continuous integration and deployment pipelines to reduce deployment complexity and improve developer velocity.  Set up reproducible local development environments (e.g., docker-compose) and maintain high standards for system profiling, automated testing, and observability.  Technical Leadership & Operations   Serve as the technical owner for core systems, balancing Dev and Ops responsibilities, incident response, and performance monitoring for both software systems and rocket engine hot fire testing.  Partner closely with test, manufacturing and propulsion engineers to design best-in-class operational systems for the design, test and manufacturing of rocket engines and related components.  Mentor senior and junior software engineers and provide guidance on technical skills to grow the team.  Requirements Experience Level   15+ Years of progressive software engineering experience, with at least 5+ years in a Software Architect role  Proven track record of full-lifecycle product development across diverse tech stacks, legacy systems, and modern cloud platforms.  Technical Skills   Expertise in modern programming languages such as Node.js, TypeScript, Next.js, C#.NET, C/C++, Python.  Deep expertise with Azure or AWS, Docker, Git/GitHub/GitLab Pipelines, and Kubernetes.  Extensive experience with relational and NoSQL databases, including PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server, and MongoDB.  Extensive experience designing and developing microservices, Serverless Architecture, RESTful APIs, OOP/OOAD, Async Messaging (SNS/SQS/RabbitMQ), and Single Sign-On (SSO/IAM).  Leadership & Methodologies   Proven ability to act as a high-leverage individual contributor and mentor.  Strong expertise in process improvement, branching/tagging strategies, build/release management, and developer ergonomics.  Strong communication and documentation skills with a demonstrated ability to translate complex architectural trade-offs to leadership and stakeholders.  Preferred Qualifications   Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.  Prior experience in SaaS platforms or real-time storage/telemetry systems.  Experience bridging real-time/test systems with enterprise software  Experience with real-time embedded systems  Experience with LabVIEW or other high-rate data acquisition systems  Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer Employment Type: Exempt  Salary: The expected salary range for this role is $144,000 – $180,000 annually.  The base pay range shown is a guideline. Individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, and competencies; compensation is based on the role's location and is subject to change based on work location.    Work Schedule: Full Time  Location: Durango, CO #LI-Onsite Posting Timeline: This position will remain open for a minimum of five (5) days and will continue to accept applications until the role is filled. Early applications are encouraged, as reviews and interviews may begin during the posting period. What You'll Love About Us: Agile Space Industries offers exceptional benefits to support you and your family including generous health coverage, dental and vision plans, Flexible Time Off, parental leave, and a 401(k) with 100% company match up to 4%. We are committed to creating a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.  Disclaimer: Agile is proud to offer a competitive benefits package to support our team members as they take on challenging, mission-driven work. The benefits listed in this job description are applicable to full-time employees. Part-time, temporary, or other non-full-time employees may have different benefit eligibility in accordance with company policy and applicable plan terms. Don’t meet every single requirement? At Agile, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the perfect fit for this role or another opportunity with us. Reasonable Accommodation: At Agile, our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at Agile Space Industries. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request to Recruitment Notice: Agile Space Industries is not partnering with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Please do not contact our staff directly regarding open positions. All candidates must apply through our official application process to be considered.