Back-End Developer – Mission Systems & Infrastructure 

Location: Columbia, MD 
Clearance Required: TS//SCI with Polygraph 

 

What You’ll Do 
This role centers on building the backbone of mission software: the logic, services, and pipelines that make systems work reliably and securely. You might help modernize existing tools, design data-intensive platforms, or optimize workflows for real-time environments. Some systems are performance-sensitive, others are security-focused — all must be dependable. 

We’re hiring across SWE0 through SWE3 levels, and we’re especially interested in engineers who bring both technical depth and mission awareness. 

 

Who This Might Be a Fit For 
This could be a great fit if you: 

• Enjoy building systems that operate quietly and effectively in the background 

• Think clearly about tradeoffs between performance, complexity, and resilience 

• Know how to connect components across different languages, formats, and environments 

• Are comfortable working with low-documentation legacy systems or new cloud-native platforms 

• Care about correctness, maintainability, and long-term utility 

 

Why Shadow 
Back-end work at Shadow is about building systems that matter. We work in spaces where infrastructure is more than a service layer — it's mission-critical. If you bring discipline, creativity, and a drive to build things that last, this is your kind of engineering. 

 

Interested? 
If this role sounds like a fit, we encourage you to reach out — we’re actively shaping teams for upcoming work. 

 

What Comes With It 

You’ll have what you need to do your best work: 

• Fully covered health insurance – medical, dental, vision 

• Paid parental leave – 16 weeks if you give birth, 4 weeks if your partner does 

• Flexible leave – designed to support real life, not restrict it 

• 401(k) – for your future 

• Short- and long-term disability – because life happens 

• Annual health stipend – if you opt out of our insurance 

 

The Extras? They're Built In 

No points systems. No bean bags. Just clarity, autonomy, and a mission that matters. 

Elite talent deserves elite support. Our benefits empower you to excel professionally and personally, recognizing your value through comprehensive health coverage, disability protection, and meaningful well-being initiatives. By investing in you, we ensure you have the tools, resources, and support you need to thrive—inside and outside of work. 

See our benefit plan here: https://www.shadowstrategies.io/benefits 

 

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Shadow Strategies is committed to providing an environment where all individuals are treated with respect and fairness. We embrace individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.  

Our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, training, and compensation. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.  
 

Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.