Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Rackner is a software consultancy focused on building mission-critical systems for the U.S. government. They are seeking an R&D Software Engineer — AI/ML Mission Solutions to develop and refine software and platform solutions for defense-relevant use cases, engaging in hands-on R&D work and collaboration with stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Build, prototype, test, and refine software and platform solutions for defense-relevant use cases
- Contribute to internal R&D efforts from concept through demonstration and follow-on improvement
- Develop, configure, integrate, and validate prototype capabilities across cloud-native or containerized environments
- Support technical demos, R&D events, solution walkthroughs, and customer or mission-focused engagements
- Translate user, customer, and stakeholder feedback into clear technical requirements and next-step recommendations
- Work closely with engineers and technical leadership to evaluate tradeoffs, troubleshoot issues, and improve system behavior
- Bridge operational needs and software implementation by helping teams understand what users need and what is technically feasible
- Test APIs, services, workflows, integrations, and deployment patterns in modern software environments
- Prepare demo materials, technical documentation, briefing content, and post-event feedback summaries
- Communicate technical concepts clearly to engineering teams, program stakeholders, customers, and mission users
- Represent Rackner’s R&D work with professionalism, curiosity, and technical credibility
Skills
- U.S. citizenship required due to federal contract requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
- Technical background in software development, platform engineering, systems engineering, DevSecOps, cloud technologies, or a related discipline
- Hands-on experience designing, building, integrating, testing, or improving modern software systems
- Proven ability to collaborate with engineering teams through prototype development, experimentation, implementation, or delivery efforts
- Working knowledge of APIs, cloud platforms, container technologies, CI/CD pipelines, and modern development practices
- Ability to collect input from users and stakeholders and convert needs into clear engineering priorities
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain architectures, tradeoffs, and technical decisions to varied audiences
- Comfortable operating independently in fast-moving environments with evolving requirements
- Willingness to travel approximately 15% for R&D events, demonstrations, collaboration sessions, or customer engagements
- Active Secret clearance or higher
- Background with DoD, Air Force, Platform One, Big Bang, mission planning, C2, ISR, autonomy, or other defense technology programs
- Knowledge of Mission Command, Battle Management, operational planning tools, tactical applications, or related defense systems
- Proficiency with technologies such as Python, JavaScript / TypeScript, React, Go, FastAPI, Postgres, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, Terraform, or CI/CD tooling
- History of creating prototypes, connecting systems, evaluating new technologies, or bringing early concepts into usable form
- Participation in technical demonstrations, pilots, field exercises, workshops, briefings, or customer-facing events
- Experience collaborating directly with operators, end users, customers, engineers, and cross-functional teams
- Exposure to AI-enabled applications, LLMs, automation, data platforms, autonomy, or emerging technology areas
- Understanding of secure development practices, observability, infrastructure-as-code, compliance requirements, or production operations
- Strong writing skills for creating documentation, technical summaries, demo content, and stakeholder-facing materials
Benefits
- Company-supported certifications aligned to current and future program work, including cloud, Kubernetes, DevSecOps, security, AI/ML, project management, and related technical areas
- Clear advancement tracks and future leadership opportunities
- 401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Home-office equipment plan and remote work support
- Fitness and wellness reimbursement
- Weekly pay schedule and modern perks, including team events
Company Overview