Senior Software Engineer - Backend
Summary
Senior backend engineer leading the GenAI effort (Saga) for a defense-tech startup's military logistics OS, TyrOS. Day to day: designing production RAG architectures, LLM integrations, agentic workflows, and backend APIs, queues, and data pipelines — on-site in Rosslyn, VA or Seattle, WA.
S:23 - AI
Location: On-site, Rosslyn, VA or Seattle, WA
Salary: $200,000 - $230,000 Base + Equity
About the Role
Our client builds the software that's replacing whiteboards and tile magnets in US military logistics - literally the tools commanders have been using to plan sustainment in the field. Its platform, TyrOS, gives them a real-time operating picture instead, and it's already deployed across the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force. Founded in 2024 by a team out of Anduril, they have tripled headcount since January, hit its annual sales target seven months early, and just closed a $40M Series A.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the GenAI engineering effort for Saga, their AI offering built on top of TyrOS
- Design and ship production RAG architectures, LLM integrations, agentic workflows, and retrieval pipelines from the ground up
- Own backend system architecture, including APIs, async workflows, data pipelines, observability, and reliability patterns
- Make architectural tradeoffs in ambiguous product environments with minimal direction
- Support deployed engineers remotely via an on-call rotation
What We're Looking For
- 6-8 years of backend software engineering experience, including at least 4 years building production GenAI/LLM systems (RAG, agents, tool use, evals, retrieval pipelines) - not just prototypes or demos
- Strong backend and distributed systems depth, with the ability to design and ship services, APIs, queues, storage, and data pipelines, not just prompt logic
- Senior-level ownership and autonomy, with a track record of taking a vague problem, defining the system, shipping it, and iterating without heavy direction
- Must be able to pass a live coding interview without AI assistance
- Must be a US citizen or Green Card holder - this is a defense contractor role with no visa sponsorship available
Why Join?
- Own the buildout of a GenAI platform from zero, with real budget and urgency behind it
- Join a well-funded, fast-growing company (backed by top-tier VCs) shipping software that directly impacts military decision-making
- Work alongside a small, flat, mission-driven team of around 65 people, blending Silicon Valley engineers with military veterans
- Competitive compensation package including equity
- Visa sponsorship not available - US citizens or Green Card holders only
