Senior Backend Developer 1-Hybrid

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Integrated Missions Systems Sector (IMS) in Raleigh, NC is seeking a Senior Backend Developer 1 with Linux OS experience for a position developing and improving a weapon effects software architecture for an advanced physics-based computational system. This system is deployed for use in the Department of Defense. The candidate will have a strong passion and background in backend development, software development, and making quality production software at all stages of the software lifecycle.

This role will be embedded in ARA's Nuclear Environments and Systems Assessments (NESA) directorate. The project you will be working on develops algorithms and prototypes to compute the effects of nuclear weapons in the Java programming language. You will be responsible for transferring these capabilities into an established Linux container-based cloud framework exposed via REST APIs. We are looking for a strong developer that is inspired to build solutions that support our nation’s military.

As a valued contributor to our project team, your responsibilities will include (1) defining incremental improvements to deploy our current weapon effects software architecture into a container-based private cloud setup (2) working in an agile team environment to improve and deploy TRL 8 software in Windows and Linux environments, and (3) making design and technology recommendations for future cloud-based deployments. Additionally, you will support the integration of computational, analysis, and visualization capabilities into this environment.

As a Senior Backend Developer, you will be part of an Agile team working on all aspects of software development including discovery, design, coding, unit testing, and documentation. Candidates will be focused on integrating new modeling and simulation (M&S) capabilities including physics-based models, code refactoring, and exposing existing functionality from a core product in an automated fashion using a schema-driven approach. At all stages, a high level of software robustness and stability is required. Responsibilities include architecture design, model integration and development, refactoring, user interface design consulting, production of visualization results for deployment via a frontend, and automation test development. Candidates will work directly with our customers, external teams, and other ARA programs to cross-integrate capabilities.

Due to the nature of work, qualified candidates must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.

Candidate requirements include extensive experience in software development and programming in Java within Agile teams using Git, IntelliJ, Visual Studio Code, and JIRA. Qualified candidates should have a strong understanding of back-end system architectures, developing REST APIs, and their approaches to meeting frontend need. Familiarity with containerization and infrastructure technologies like Docker and Kubernetes are required. This position requires a BS in Computer Science or similar with a minimum of 10 years of work experience, or an MS with a minimum of 7 years experience.

• Active security clearance

• Experience with weapon effects, or other related DoD software systems and models

• Expertise with Risk Management Framework (RMF) and information assurance/information security activities

• Interest in data science, data analysis, data visualization, mathematical algorithms, and modern DevOps

• Experience with Ruby, Keycloak, and Gradle

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company known for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. We were founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979 as the disco era was, thankfully, closing out and the personal computer era was beginning. We employ over 1,500 professionals and continue to grow. ARA offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software, and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA also prides ourselves on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. At ARA, employees are our greatest assets, so we give our employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take active roles as owners. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. The company realizes employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. We are also very proud of our Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments.

To find out more about the Algorithms, Modeling & Assessments Division visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/raleigh/

• 10 year(s): Relevant Work Experience

• Bachelors or better in Computer Science or related field

• Masters or better in Computer Science or related field

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)