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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer (Hybrid) - 29300 job in Columbia - **Company:** ENLIGHTEN - **Location:** Columbia, MD, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $115,199.0 - $145,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Application Integration Architecture, Automation of Tests, Microsoft Azure, Big Data, Continuous Integration, Data Cleansing, Distributed Data Store, Interoperability, Spring Framework, Python (Programming Language), PostgreSQL, Linux Commands, MySQL, NoSQL, Open Source Technology, Operational Databases, Software Engineering, Software Systems, SQL Databases, Systems Integration, Cloud Platform System, Large Language Models, Grafana, Multi-Agent Systems, Prompt Engineering, Caching, Generative AI, Backend, Git, Containerization, Data Lakes, Kubernetes, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Apache Kafka, Apache Nifi, Restful APIs, Network Server, Docker, Web Api, Microservices - **Published:** August 15, 2026 - **Apply:** https://jobs.diversity.com/career/2453771/software-engineer-hybrid-29300-maryland-md-columbia ## About the Role * Security Clearance - Must obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance, but not required on day one U.S. Citizenship required. Can also consider candidates with current Secret or TS level clearance. * At least 5 years of experience in Software Engineering, with a strong focus on Python backend development and a Bachelors in related field 3 years relevant experience with Masters in related field or High School Diploma or equivalent and 9 years relevant experience. * Kubernetes Proficiency: Demonstrated, hands-on experience deploying and managing containerized workloads in Kubernetes (K8s). * Applied AI Experience: Hands-on experience integrating commercial LLM APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic) or open-source models into production backend applications. * AI Concepts: Demonstrated understanding of modern applied AI concepts such as prompt engineering, agents, function-calling/tool-use, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). * Experience in designing enterprise APIs, RESTful web services, and Microservices architecture. * Experience with configuration management tools (e.g., Git, CI/CD pipelines, Docker). * Comfortable working on a Linux command line. * Must be able to work in a hybrid environment, spending an average of 1-2 days per week at our Columbia, MD office. Flexibility is essential to adapt to schedule changes as needed. Preferred Requirements * Current Clearances: Active Secret or Top Secret clearances are a strong plus. * Java Interoperability (Plus): Familiarity with Java frameworks (e.g., Spring) or Java-based software capabilities to assist disparate teams in connecting their components to the agent platform. * Familiarity with Python-based AI integration frameworks (LangChain, LlamaIndex, CrewAI, AutoGen). * Experience with Vector Databases, semantic caching, and AI observability tools. * Experience with NiFi, Kafka, and cloud-based infrastructure (AWS, Azure). * Experience in SQL databases (e.g., Postgres, MySQL), distributed databases, or NoSQL databases. * Prior experience or familiarity with Big Data Platforms or Data Lake architectures. * DoD 8140 / 8570 IAT Level II compliance certifications may be required in this position as directed by the customer. ## Description Enlighten is a cutting-edge technology company that is dedicated to developing innovative software solutions for our clients. We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Software Engineer to join our team to help build foundational AI integration frameworks and agentic platforms. As a Software Engineer focused on AI Integration, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing the agentic platform for our proprietary Data Lake tool, JCRSD. This role is primarily focused on Python-based components and requires strong container orchestration skills to ensure seamless deployment. This role is not focused on training foundational AI models from scratch. Instead, you will take industry best practices, open-source capabilities, and large language models (LLMs), and build a secure, scalable framework that allows our platform to seamlessly leverage AI. You will build Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, reusable AI skills, strict safety guardrails, and coordinate with disparate internal teams to expose their APIs to our autonomous agents. If you are a self-motivated, creative software engineer who loves Python, Kubernetes, and treating AI as a complex software integration problem, we would love to hear from you. #LI-DS1 #Mid-Senior Level Essential Job Responsibilities * Design and develop Python-based components for our core agentic platform. * Deploy, manage, and scale applications within Kubernetes (K8s) environments efficiently right out of the gate. * Build Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers and a library of reusable "skills" (function calling/tools) that enable AI agents to safely interact with internal databases, microservices, and external APIs. * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to help them expose their Java-based APIs to our AI agents. * Implement strict enterprise AI guardrails, ensuring data privacy, sensitive data scrubbing, prompt injection defenses, and output validation to meet stringent security requirements. * Maintain an inquisitive nature, responsiveness, and excellent testing skills (including automated testing pipelines for non-deterministic AI outputs). * Possess strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work under pressure with multiple deadlines in a fast-paced, small-business environment. * Other duties as assigned. ## Related Videos - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Leveraging Real time data in FSIs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/806-leveraging-real-time-data-in-fsis) - [MySQL Protocol Features You Should Be Aware Of](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100267-mysql-protocol-features-you-should-be-aware-of) - [Shipping Faster with Less: Render on Cloud Hosting, AI Workloads, and the Future of DevOps](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1894-shipping-faster-with-less-render-on-cloud-hosting-ai-workloads-and-the-future-of-devops) - [Branch your database like your code: How schema changes and pull requests go hand in hand](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/350-branch-your-database-like-your-code-how-schema-changes-and-pull-requests-go-hand-in-hand) - [Coding for Good: Achieving social change with an app](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1645-coding-for-good-achieving-social-change-with-an-app) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Why Upskilling And Reskilling is Important For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/428-why-upskilling-and-reskilling-is-important-for-developers) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline)