Senior Full Stack Engineer

About Sphinx Sphinx builds software to solve complex national security problems in Space. Founded by engineers and technologists with deep experience across commercial and defense technology, we were frustrated by the outdated and insecure technology America's service members are forced to rely on. We're here to do better. We’re focused on building modern, scalable products with an emphasis on using open source technologies. Expect talented, motivated, and interesting colleagues who emphasize collaboration, transparency, and individual responsibility. About The Role Sphinx is hiring a Senior Full Stack Engineer to join our team building the next generation of mission planning and command and control software for space communications programs. This team is tasked with creating modern, resilient services and capabilities to support the U.S. Government. As our engineering organization continues to scale rapidly, you’ll also play an important role in helping establish strong technical practices, supporting a growing team, and maintaining quality and consistency as we expand. As a Senior Full Stack Engineer, you will lead the development of intuitive, high-quality user interfaces and front-end experiences for Sphinx’s space vehicle mission planning platform, while also contributing across the full stack. We’re seeking an experienced engineer with strong front-end development expertise and a solid understanding of backend development, APIs, databases, and service integration. You’ll work as an individual contributor while also providing technical leadership and mentorship to more junior engineers. What You Will Be Focusing On Applying a strong understanding of modern front-end development to build intuitive, responsive, and maintainable user experiences using technologies such as JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Angular, and/or VueTranslating design mockups, user feedback, and system requirements into functional, visually appealing, and intuitive user interfacesBuilding performant, secure, and well-tested web applications with a focus on scalability, automation, usability, and securityLeading the development of critical features across the full software development lifecycle, with significant influence from user feedback, system requirements, design engineering, and evolving customer needsDesigning, developing, and improving APIs and backend services that effectively support front-end applications and system capabilitiesDeveloping and maintaining backend functionality using technologies such as Python, SQL, RESTful APIs, and containerized architecturesCollaborating closely with QA and other engineering disciplines to define acceptance criteria, meet functional and technical requirements, identify defects, and ensure software qualityWriting and maintaining automated unit, integration, and functional tests to validate functionality and ensure requirements are metConducting thorough code reviews to maintain code quality, enforce best practices, and ensure adherence to established standardsAdvocating for improvements to product usability, quality, security, and performance that positively impact your team and end usersSupporting junior engineering talent through mentorship and technical guidance You Might Be a Good Fit If You Have 5+ years of progressively responsible web or software development experience using modern development approachesStrong front-end development experience, with a deep understanding of modern UI development principles, component-based architecture, responsive design, performance, and usabilityExtensive experience with JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, and modern front-end frameworks such as React, Angular, and/or VueExperience translating designs, user needs, and requirements into intuitive, production-quality user experiencesStrong full-stack fundamentals with the ability to work effectively with backend systems, including Python, API development and integration, application architecture, and service-to-service communicationExperience working with relational databases and SQL, including querying and integrating data into web applicationsExperience designing, consuming, and integrating APIs between front-end applications and backend servicesUnderstanding of modern containerized and microservices architectures using technologies such as Docker and KubernetesExperience collaborating with QA throughout the software development lifecycle, including defining acceptance criteria, troubleshooting defects, validating functionality, and supporting release readinessDemonstrated experience writing automated tests and developing software against defined user, functional, and technical requirementsA strong understanding of software engineering best practices, including code reviews, version control, automated testing, security, performance, and maintainabilityComfort working with ambiguity, self-directing your work, and providing technical guidance to other engineersA demonstrated ability to own technical problems end-to-end and make sound engineering tradeoffsExcellent communication skills and experience working with end users and cross-functional teams to design and build solutions that meet their needsExperience developing, testing, and deploying software within air-gapped or highly secure government network environmentsHave the ability to hold and maintain a U.S. Government TS/SCI clearance Bonus Points If You Have The Following Experience designing and developing intuitive user interfaces featuring real-time, 2D/3D geospatial visualizationsExperience building software for mission-critical, defense, aerospace, or other highly secure environmentsActively hold a U.S. Government Secret Clearance LOCATION This role is a hybrid role and can be based out of Colorado Springs, CO, El Segundo, CA, or Chantilly, VA. Compensation This role is between $157,000 - $190,000 base salary. Benefits Compensation includes competitive salary, meaningful equity ownership, profit sharing, employer 401(k) contribution, and 100% employer covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents. ELIGIBILITY Must be a US Citizen and be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance and be eligible to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance . EEO STATEMENT At Sphinx Defense, we are devoted to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Sphinx Defense is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.