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# Software Engineer

- **Company:** SKYLIGHT INC.
- **Location:** United States (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Starter
- **Salary:** $47,840.0 - $64,480.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, Automation of Tests, Cloud Computing, Code Reuse, Continuous Integration, Software Architecture, Reverse Engineering, Software Systems, Strategies of Testing, Web Applications, ReactJS, Technical Debt, Api Design, Software Version Control
- **Published:** September 10, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.builtincolorado.com/auth/login?destination=/job/staff-principal-software-engineer-consulting-u-s-air-force/11123017

## About the Role

* Ability to write clean, working, and reusable code
 * Understand the different pieces of software systems and how to fit them together, while keeping performance, reliability, and availability in mind
 * Familiar with how to build secure, compliant software and defend against common vulnerabilities
 * Experience evaluating existing systems and communicating technical findings and recommendations to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders
 * Comfort holding architectural decision rights on a multi-vendor engagement, and making the tradeoffs legible to non-technical stakeholders
 * Experience working in agile software development
 * Interest in mentoring, coaching, and pairing with government partners so they can carry the work forward
 * Experience working on cross-functional teams (product, design, engineering, ops) in iterative delivery
 * A mindset and work approach that aligns with our core values

Nice-to-haves

 * Military or government experience
 * Experience leading legacy modernization efforts or reverse-engineering legacy applications where the code, the documentation, and stakeholder knowledge don't agree
 * Experience with web-based tech stacks (e.g., Java/React) and cloud infrastructure
 * Experience coaching other engineers on the failure modes of AI-assisted development
 * Experience delivering technology in government, regulated industries, or other public-benefit settings
 * A track record of staying aligned and accountable on remote teams, * Some of our available roles are on federal contracts that require a degree or additional years of experience as a substitute.
 * All work must be conducted within the U.S., excluding U.S. territories.
 * This contract requires U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment.
 * You must be able to obtain and maintain a Common Access Card (CAC), which requires a favorable background check.
 * You must complete a company background check successfully.

## Description

You'll assess legacy systems, shape the technical strategy for modernizing them, and pair directly with government engineers to raise the bar on how software gets built. Expect to spend your time in architecture reviews, working sessions with vendors and Air Force teams, and hands-on demonstrations of modern, AI-assisted engineering practices.
What to know going in

Your first 30 days are about working with the Skylight team and government personnel, learning the client's domain and organization, and enabling your government partners. Access to users varies from team to team, so you'll need to get creative about how you reach them. The client is early- to mid-transformation, so expect organizational and operational change along the way.

This role is contingent on Skylight being awarded the underlying contract. If we're not awarded the contract, we'll let you know promptly and discuss whether there are other opportunities that fit.
What you'll do

 * Assess legacy applications and their technical environments to identify technical debt, instability, and other opportunities for improvement, then design, document, and communicate solutions
 * Own the modernization strategy, technical direction, architectural decisions, and test strategy for the modernization, in collaboration with government engineers and partner vendors but accountable for the result
 * Advocate for and model lean-agile engineering practices such as API-first design, simple design, continuous integration, version control, and automated testing
 * Guide teams toward secure, compliant software that meets federal security standards and defends against common vulnerabilities
 * Pair with and coach government engineers so modern practices, including AI-assisted development, stick after you've moved on
 * Collaborate with product managers, researchers, and designers so technical recommendations serve user and mission needs


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