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← Bluestaq US External

Principal Software Engineer

Bluestaq US External
Location
Colorado Springs
Posted
19 days ago
Department
USSF UDL
What they actually want (must-haves)
  • Master-level technical expertise in one or more major software engineering domains (e.g., distributed systems, data-intensive applications, real-time systems, complex UI architectures)
  • Demonstrated ability to define technical strategy and reference architectures that are successfully adopted across multiple engineering teams over multiple years
  • Extensive experience leading the technical direction of large, complex software systems from initial concept through multi-year operation and evolution
  • Strong background in evaluating and adopting new technologies, frameworks, and architectural approaches at organizational scale
  • Proven ability to translate business and mission requirements into durable technical decisions, engineering principles, and architectural standards
  • Track record of successfully mentoring and developing Staff and Senior Staff engineers into broader technical leaders
Nice to have
  • History of defining company-wide engineering standards, reference architectures, or platform strategies that persist across product generations and leadership transitions
  • Experience leading technology evaluations, major architectural transitions, or build-vs-buy decisions at enterprise scale
  • Deep knowledge of DoD or national security software requirements, security frameworks (RMF, FedRAMP, NIST 800-53, STIG), and classified system development practices
  • Background in systems-of-systems integration, multi-program technical alignment, or cross-organizational engineering governance
  • Published technical work, patents, or recognized external contributions in relevant software engineering domains
What the job really is

The Principal Software Engineer at Bluestaq is responsible for defining the technical strategy and architectural direction for significant segments of the company's products and platforms. This role involves tackling complex technical challenges, mentoring other engineers, and ensuring that architectural decisions support reliability, security, and performance. The engineer will work closely with leadership to align technical investments with mission priorities and will have a significant impact on the long-term health of the systems.

Benefits
  • Salary Range (CO) $165,000 — $230,000 USD
  • Relocation assistance may be available for this role and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • Clearance Requirement: This position may require an active TS/SCI Clearance. Current clearance holders are strongly encouraged to apply. If you don't currently hold one, Bluestaq will sponsor eligible candidates through the clearance process based on program needs.
Things to weigh
  • No specific technologies or tools mentioned, which may indicate a broad range of potential work.
  • The role involves significant strategic autonomy, which may appeal to candidates looking for leadership opportunities but could also imply less direct oversight.
  • The position requires a high level of experience and education, which may limit the candidate pool.
  • The focus on long-term architectural decisions suggests a slower-paced environment compared to typical agile roles.
Job score3.2/5
Benefits2/5
Freshness4/5
Career value5/5
Role clarity5/5
Pay transparency0/5

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