Job Description

Software Engineer

Department: Data Analysis and Technology Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chantilly, VA

Compensation: $130,000 - $260,000 / year

Description

REQUIRED: Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph

LOCATION: Full-time, onsite in Chantilly, VA

We have an immediate need for a mission‑driven Software Engineer who thrives in modern Lean Agile environments and enjoys building high‑impact capabilities that blend cloud engineering, scalable search, and LLM‑powered workflows. You must understand cloud environments such as Azure or AWS and will work on designing, developing, and deploying software systems.

Who We Are:

Ardent Principles delivers cutting‑edge capabilities across data science, data engineering, software engineering, AI solutions, cybersecurity, staff augmentation, and IT program management. We thrive at the intersection of mission, technology, and innovation.

Passionate Integrity, Driven by Excellence

At Ardent Principles, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers rooted in purpose. Our competitive salary ranges and industry‑leading benefits are designed to support long‑term stability, growth, and overall well‑being. We’re committed to creating an environment where talented people can do their best work and feel valued while doing it.

Join us as we continue building the future of secure, high‑impact solutions.

Key Responsibilities

In this challenging yet rewarding role as a Software Engineer (SME level), you are an integral part of what brings our Company's mission to life. You must have the following required skills, certifications and demonstrated experience in and/or with:

• Working in a Lean Agile development environment
• Building or integrating LLM-based solutions including RAG, semantic search or AI-assisted retrieval systems
• Developing detailed design and associated deliveries
• Translating customer and systems requirements into design
• Designing system interfaces
• Developing Single Page Applications using React (modern hooks‑based architecture), HTML5, and CSS3.
• Hands‑on experience developing RESTful APIs using Node.js and Express (or comparable modern backend frameworks).
• Hands‑on experience with and troubleshooting Internet and web‑related protocols and technologies such as Tomcat, Node.js, Web Services, or SSL.
• Working with testing platforms such as Jest or Karma.
• Hands‑on experience working with DevOps tools such as Git, Jenkins, or Nexus.
• Hands‑on experience with Elasticsearch (index design, querying, relevance tuning, and scaling).
• Designing or implementing data pipelines to support search and/or RAG workflows (e.g., ingestion, chunking, embeddings, vector search).

Highly Desired Qualifications

Other skills and demonstrated experiences that are highly desired but not mandatory to perform the work, include:

• Evaluating, selecting, and integrating LLMs (e.g., OpenAI, open‑source models) into enterprise applications
• Working with vector databases, hybrid search (keyword + semantic), and relevance optimization
• Ability to lead or mentor teams in adopting search + AI/LLM best practices (strong preference for candidates who can elevate team capability, not just contribute individually)

What We Offer You

• Highly Competitive Salary: Recognizing and rewarding your expertise and contributions.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Providing ample time for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits.
• Dedicated Training Budget: Supporting continuous learning and professional development.
• 100% Employer-Covered Family Vision, Dental, and Health Insurance: Ensuring comprehensive health coverage for you and your family.
• 100% Employer-Covered Life and Disability Insurance: Offering financial security and peace of mind.
• 401(k) Plan with a 6% Employer Match: Helping you plan and save for a secure retirement, with 100% vesting from day one.
• 11 Paid Government Holidays: Observing national holidays to ensure time off with family and friends.
• Spot Bonuses for Exceptional Performance: Rewarding outstanding contributions and achievements.

SCHEDULE:

This is a full-time position with consultants expected to be available and working onsite in Chantilly, VA during core hours.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us and be part of a team dedicated to driving positive change through technology. Apply now with our easy 3-minute, mobile-friendly initial application process. Your future starts here!