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Senior Software Engineer

Join Picogrid as a Senior Software Engineer to build backend services for a defense technology platform impacting national security.

Location
El Segundo, CA
Compensation
$150k–$220k/yr
Level
senior
Type
full time · On-site

Posted by employer 2 months ago

First seen on Joblaze 1 month ago

Last verified on the company career page 13 hours ago

Apply at Picogrid → Save job Scanned from picogrid.com

Requirements

Experience
5+ years
Visa
Sponsorship available

Benefits

401k Match Unlimited PTO Equity/Stock Options Health Insurance Relocation Assistance Parental Leave

Joblaze summary

In this role, the Senior Software Engineer at Picogrid is responsible for developing and maintaining the Legion platform, which integrates various sensors and systems for military operations. Key skills include backend development in Go, API design, and experience with distributed systems and data pipelines. This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who thrives on ownership and has a strong commitment to high-quality code, particularly in high-stakes environments. The role offers a unique opportunity to directly impact national security through innovative technology.

Joblaze insights

  • Listed about a month ago — first seen on Joblaze September 3, 2026. Last confirmed on Picogrid's careers page October 27, 2026.
  • Salary band is below the typical range for Backend roles (median ~$180,000).
  • Starts above 13% of 164 comparable senior backend roles in United States that list Python we track (median $173,000 across 65 companies). See Python salary trends
  • Python appears in 41.4% of 531 comparable senior backend roles in United States; S3 appears in 1.1% of 531 comparable senior backend roles in United States.

Quick facts

Is the Senior Software Engineer role remote?
No — this is an on-site role in El Segundo, CA.
What's the salary range?
Picogrid lists $150,000–$220,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Senior Software Engineer role.
Where is the role based?
Picogrid is hiring for this position in El Segundo, CA.
What's the tech stack?
Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Go, MinIO, PostgreSQL, Python, REST, S3.
Does Picogrid sponsor work visas for this role?
Yes — the posting indicates visa sponsorship is available for the right candidate.
What seniority level is this role?
Picogrid targets senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?
Full-time for this Senior Software Engineer role at Picogrid.

From the original posting

About the role

Legion is Picogrid's core platform: it connects sensors, cameras, drones, and third-party systems into a single operational picture that military users rely on in live missions. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll own significant pieces of that platform end to end — from API design through deployment and operation in production.

You'll work on things like:

  • Designing and building backend services in Go — REST and gRPC APIs and event-driven pipelines that serve real-time sensor and video feeds.

  • Building integrations that connect Legion to hardware devices and common operating pictures (COP) like TAK, so data flows to operators wherever they are.

  • Building command-and-control (C2) capabilities — tasking systems that let operators connect and task any device in the field, from cameras to drones to sensors, through a single interface.

  • Designing the data models and ingestion pipelines that keep high volumes of telemetry, detections, and geospatial data queryable at mission scale.

Everything you build runs in production across cloud and disconnected edge environments, so the problems are system-level: data arriving from unreliable networks, integrations with hardware that doesn't follow the spec, and users who need the platform to work the first time, every time. You'll talk directly with the operators and partners who use what you build, and you'll frequently ship something one week that's used in the field the next.

This role fits an engineer who wants ownership over outcomes rather than tickets — someone who is comfortable making architectural decisions, holds a high bar for code quality and testing, and finds it motivating (not stressful) that their work has an immediate, tangible effect on national security.

Required Qualifications

  • U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

  • 5+ years of hands-on backend engineering experience in fast-paced, production environments using Go, Python, TypeScript, or similar languages.

  • Strong background in APIs, distributed systems, data pipelines, or real-time processing.

  • Deep experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL), object stores (e.g., S3, MinIO), and geospatial tools.

  • Strong grasp of HTTP APIs (REST, gRPC, GraphQL) and authentication/authorization models.

  • History of working directly with customers to build and deliver meaningful software.

  • Demonstrated ability to operate with urgency, ownership, and high engineering standards.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Exposure to DOD IL5+, Top Secret, and JWICS environments, including understanding of DOD RMF, FedRAMP, or NIST 800-53.

  • Experience supporting Golang-based applications in production.

  • Experience building plugins or integrations for common military command-and-control (C2) platforms (e.g. TAK, Maven, Lattice).

Compensation & Benefits

  • Base salary range: $150,000 - $220,000 per year. Base salary is just one part of your total compensation package at Picogrid.

  • 401(k) with employer matching

  • Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)

  • Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)

  • Paid parental leave for both parents

  • Free EV charging at the HQ

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Standard company text repeated across Picogrid's postings is omitted here.

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