Software Engineer Level 5
Role summary
Base-2 Solutions is seeking a Software Engineer Level 5, a Principal Software Engineer, to develop, maintain, and enhance complex software systems in mission-focused environments. This on-site role in Washington, D.C. requires a Top Secret/SCI with CI Polygraph clearance. The position emphasizes backend development, data engineering, and API development, focusing on building scalable systems with Python and FastAPI, managing PostgreSQL databases, and supporting high-performance integrations for data-sensitive systems. The role involves designing, implementing, and testing software components, adhering to industry standards, and managing project risks. A Bachelor's degree with 14 years of experience, or equivalent experience, is required.
Standard Title:
Principal Software Engineer
Required Security Clearance:
Top Secret/SCI with CI Polygraph
City:
Washington
State/Territory:
District of Columbia
Travel:
None
Potential for Teleworking:
No
Schedule:
Full Time
DoD 8570 IAT Requirement:
None
DoD 8570 IAM Requirement:
None
DoD 8570 IASAE Requirement:
None
DoD CSSP Requirement:
None
Last Updated:
3/23/26 1:44 PM
Requisition ID:
2452
US Citizenship Required?:
Yes
Work Type:
On-Site
Referral Eligibility:
Eligible
Pay Range
$163,792.16 - $192,696.66 Annually
## Position Summary
Base-2 Solutions is seeking a Software Engineer Level 5 to develop, maintain, and enhance complex and diverse software systems supporting mission-focused environments. This role is centered on backend development, data engineering, and API development, with emphasis on building scalable systems using Python and FastAPI, designing and managing PostgreSQL databases, and supporting high-performance integrations across high-speed, high-volume, mission-critical, data-sensitive systems.
## Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop, maintain, and enhance complex and diverse software systems, including processing-intensive analytics, novel algorithm development, manipulation of extremely large data sets, real-time systems, and business management information systems, based upon documented requirements.
- Provide specific input to software component design, including hardware/software trade-offs, software reuse, use of COTS/GOTS in place of new development, and requirements analysis and synthesis from the system level to individual software components.
- Design, implement, and integrate software applications or perform software engineering tasks.
- Utilize software engineering and design methodologies appropriate to the development, integration, and production environment.
- Ensure efficient delivery of software engineering capabilities using industry standards and repeatable processes.
- Mitigate risks, control costs and schedule variance, and effectively manage large-scale, integrated software projects.
- Review and test software components for adherence to design requirements and document test results.
## Required Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI with CI Polygraph.
- Demonstrated experience as a backend developer.
- Demonstrated experience in data engineering and API development.
- Experience building scalable systems with Python and FastAPI.
- Experience designing and managing PostgreSQL databases with efficient SQL and indexing strategies.
- Proficiency in Python.
- Proficiency in FastAPI.
- Proficiency in PostgreSQL.
- Proficiency in Elasticsearch.
- Experience building high-performance API connections between high-speed, high-volume, mission-critical, data-sensitive systems.
## Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting processing-intensive analytics environments.
- Experience working with extremely large data sets.
- Experience supporting real-time systems.
- Experience contributing to software design decisions involving software reuse, COTS/GOTS, and system-to-component requirements analysis.
## Required Education and Experience Equivalency
Education
Years of Experience
High School Diploma/ GED
18
Associates Degree
16
Bachelors’ Degree
14
Masters’ Degree
12
PhD
10
## Required Certifications
- None specified.
## Required Security Clearance
- Active TS/SCI with CI Polygraph.
## Pay & Benefit Highlights
## Compensation
- Competitive fixed salary or hourly pay (based on experience, skills, location, and internal equity).
- Employee referral bonuses up to $10,000 per hired referral.
- Additional bonus opportunities for exceptional performance and contributions to business development and company growth (role-dependent).
## Health
- 100% company-paid medical premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
- Choose from multiple plan options with CareFirst, Kaiser, and UnitedHealthcare, including PPO, POS, HMO, and HSA-compatible plans.
- 100% company-paid dental premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
- 100% company-paid vision premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
## Income Protection
- 100% company-paid premiums for short-term disability.
- 100% company-paid premiums for long-term disability.
- 100% company-paid premiums for accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D).
- 100% company-paid premiums for life insurance up to $200,000.
## Retirement
- 401(k) with immediate vesting: 4% company match plus a 4% non-elective company contribution (8% total).
- 401(k) pre-tax and Roth options.
## Leave
- Up to 20 days of flexible paid time off (PTO).
- 11 paid floating holidays.
## Work-Life Balance
- Flexible work schedules, including flex time and compressed work periods (contract and project-dependent).