Java Software Engineer - Space Domain

Responsibilities

Peraton is seeking a Software Developer in Herndon, VA or Aurora, CO to support Intelligence Community and DoD customers as part of a talented, high‑performing team. As part of this team you will work with emerging service and distributed computing technologies for satellite situational awareness (SSA) data processing and distribution.

The EMMETT program, a next‑gen Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Indications and Warning (I&W) system, establishes a repository of resident space objects (RSOs), finds RSOs of interest, and provides data to ground operators. The EMMETT team uses programmatics, sensor modelling, and system engineering expertise to deliver this world‑class SDA I&W system.

What you’ll do:

• Provide TS/SCI Java software sustainment and maintenance support for existing mission systems and applications, focusing on system stability, performance, reliability, and operational readiness rather than new feature development.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve production issues across application modules, services, and interfaces; perform corrective actions, bug fixes, and root‑cause analysis to restore service quickly.
• Maintain, patch, and enhance existing Java‑based applications, including code updates required for security, compliance, compatibility, and operational improvements.
• Support software analysis, engineering, integration, and configuration‑management activities at the unit, module, and system levels for deployed environments.
• Monitor application health, logs, and system behavior using error logging, exception handling, and operational monitoring tools.
• Support deployment, release, and environment‑management activities across development, test, and production systems.
• Adhere to open standards, secure coding practices, change‑management controls, and established operational procedures.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, SOPs, runbooks, reports, and white papers related to sustainment, maintenance actions, and system operations.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, cybersecurity, and operations teams to ensure system availability and mission continuity.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 4+ years of relevant experience. Additional four years of experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum Top Secret clearance with ability to upgrade to TS/SCI and pass a polygraph within 30 days of employment or at customer request; contract requires TS/SCI with polygraph. Candidate must maintain clearance.
• 2+ years of experience with Java in production or enterprise environments.
• Experience supporting existing applications through troubleshooting, defect resolution, patching, and maintenance.
• 1+ year of experience with microservices and container‑technology (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with backend frameworks such as Spring Framework or Spring Boot.
• Experience supporting APIs using REST architectural principles.
• Experience with Linux or Windows server environments and basic application administration.
• Ability to obtain a DoD 8570 certification, including CompTIA Security+ or CISSP, within 6 months of start date.

Desired

• Experience with production support, incident response, and SLA‑driven operational environments.
• Experience with network security, including access and authorization for PKI and chain of trust.
• Experience writing or maintaining unit tests and regression / E2E testing.
• Knowledge of Apache NiFi and Apache Kafka.
• Knowledge of Jira, Confluence, Git, and Git Lab.
• Ability to investigate recurring issues, identify root causes, and implement preventive corrective actions.
• TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
• Current DoD 8570 certification, including Security+ or CISSP.

Peraton offers enhanced benefits to employees working on this critical National Security program, which include heavily subsidised employee benefits coverage for you and your dependents, 25 days of PTO accrued annually up to a generous PTO cap, and eligibility to participate in an attractive bonus plan.

104,000 – 166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.