Senior Backend Engineer
- Pay
- $160,000 – $185,000 per year
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO · Hybrid
- Job type
- Full-time
- Level
- Senior
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Listed
- 30 days ago
Skills & highlights for this role
- U.S. security clearance eligibility
- Python
- FastAPI
- PostgreSQL
- AWS
- Kubernetes
Also useful
- Terraform
- Docker
Stated benefits & perks
- 401k match
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
About the Role
Sphinx is hiring a Senior Backend Engineer to join our team, building the next generation of mission planning and command and control software for space communications programs. This team is charged with creating modern, resilient services and capabilities to service the US Government for the next decade and beyond.
As a Senior Backend Engineer, you will play a key role in building a cutting-edge communications platform for US government satellites. Sphinx is hiring a Senior Backend Engineer to join our Space Communications team, building a ground communications and data-transport platform for US government satellites. As a Senior Backend Engineer, you will lead the development of core platform services and design and build technology to support the operations of various US government satellites. You'll work as both an individual contributor and a lead for more junior engineers.
You will have an outsized role in determining what we build and how we work. You'll work as both an individual contributor and a lead for more junior engineers.
What you will be focusing on
- Building multi-tenant services on public cloud platforms like AWS
- Building, architecting, and consuming APIs and backend services as part of the platform ecosystem with an emphasis on automation, testing, and security
- Advocating for improvements to product quality, security, and performance that have a particular impact on your team and others
- Supporting junior engineering talent with mentorship or technical guidance
- Interacting with customers and partners to help them integrate with our services
- Scale the services and solve interesting Space Communication challenges
You might be a good fit if you have
- 5+ years of progressively responsible software engineering experience
- Have extensive experience with Python, FastAPI, Postgres, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform*
- Demonstrable in-depth knowledge of at least one commercial cloud platform and its associated services
- Led the architecture, development, and building of backend services and APIs to ensure performance, security, and reliability
- An ability to successfully own technical problems end-to-end
- Made enough mistakes and booked enough wins to know what not to build and what good looks like
- Excellent communication skills, working with end-users to design and build solutions to their needs, a habit of self-directed learning of new technologies, and the ability to learn quickly and adapt to a fast-paced environment
Location
This hybrid role requires a regular presence in Colorado Springs, CO.
Compensation
This role is between $160,000 - $185,000 base salary.
Benefits
Compensation includes competitive salary, meaningful equity ownership, profit sharing, employer 401(k) contribution, and 100% employer covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
About Sphinx
Sphinx builds software to solve complex national security problems in Space. Founded by engineers and technologists with deep experience across commercial and defense technology, we were frustrated by the outdated and insecure technology America's service members are forced to rely on. We're here to do better.
We're focused on building modern, scalable products with an emphasis on using open source technologies. Expect talented, motivated, and interesting colleagues who emphasize collaboration, transparency, and individual responsibility.
Equal opportunity and legal notices
At Sphinx Defense, we are devoted to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Sphinx Defense is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Clearance Eligibility
This position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances:
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
From Sphinx Defense's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 10, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
How Rolev.ai helps with this application
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Common questions
What is the salary for the Senior Backend Engineer role at Sphinx Defense?
The Senior Backend Engineer posting at Sphinx Defense states compensation of $160,000 – $185,000 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Sphinx Defense's official career site.
Where is the Senior Backend Engineer job at Sphinx Defense located?
This Senior Backend Engineer position at Sphinx Defense is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Hybrid). Always check Sphinx Defense's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
What qualifications are required for Senior Backend Engineer at Sphinx Defense?
For the Senior Backend Engineer role, Sphinx Defense highlights 5+ years of relevant experience; experience with Python, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, AWS, Kubernetes. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.
How do I apply for the Senior Backend Engineer position at Sphinx Defense?
This listing links directly to Sphinx Defense's Greenhouse application page. You can apply directly on Sphinx Defense's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Greenhouse application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.