Senior Software Engineer/Systems Engineer

• Location: Annapolis Jct, Maryland
• Type: Contract
• Job #4041

Title: Senior Software Engineer/Systems Engineer
Location: Annapolis Junction
Compensation Range: $215 - 235k
*Clearance: *Active TS/SCI w/ Polygraph needed to apply *

Company Overview:
Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation's toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don't look any further than Cornerstone Defense.

Benefits Overview:
Cornerstone Defense offers a very comprehensive benefits package including, but not limited to: Medical, Dental and Vision Plans * Generous PTO Policy * 401(k) * HSA and FSA options * Life and Disability Insurance * Tuition Reimbursement and Training * Perks at Work Discount Program * Referral Program * Leads Generation Program * CollegeAmerica 529 * Fitness Reimbursement Program * Travel Assistance * Norton Lifelock Benefit Solutions * Life Planning Financial & Legal Services *

Description:
The Senior Software Engineer / System Engineer plays a key role in a multi-year, mission-focused software development effort aimed at productizing a critical solution suite for broader DoD deployment. This position requires extensive experience in modern software engineering, system design, cryptographic technologies, and Agile development. The engineer will be responsible for leading technical changes, removing customer-specific dependencies, abstracting environment-specific configurations, and helping architect flexible interfaces to support authorization workflows and key management operations across diverse environments. The work impacts numerous components including clients, Portals, Proxy services, and OpenBao-based key management services. This role requires strong leadership, independent execution, and collaboration across matrixed and virtual teams.

Required Skills:

• 12+ years of professional experience
• BS in Computer Science or related field (or 8+ years equivalent work experience)
• Ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with clients and team members

Preferred Skills:

• Experience leading development of encryption libraries and key management services
• Ability to establish, enforce, and apply best practices across solution design and implementation
• Experience providing leadership for daily project execution and progress
• Participation in project planning and status communication

Desired Skills:

• 8+ years Java development on Linux and Windows platforms, or 8+ years experience with C/C++
• Proficiency in at least one additional high-level language (Python, Go, or Rust preferred)
• 8+ years experience with modern software development management practices
• Deep understanding of Agile methodology
• 5+ years cryptographic engineering experience, including key management
• 5+ years experience with REST APIs
• 2+ years cloud platform experience (tools, administration, operations)
• 5+ years Docker and Kubernetes experience
• Strong analytical troubleshooting and performance evaluation skills
• Effective team collaboration skills and strong communication habits
• Ability to operate within matrixed and virtual team structures
• Ability to work independently, multi-task, and take ownership across project components
• Ability to work under pressure while meeting tight deadlines or adapting to shifting requirements