Principal Software Engineer

Great software engineering isn't just about coding; it's about using our talents and imagination to solve exciting problems. At Polyrhythm, you'll be surrounded by developers with hardcore skills and great attitudes. You'll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with bare-metal performance while building your soft skills by interacting with our customers to understand their problems.

At Polyrhythm, your skills won't be allowed to dull, and you won't get out of sync with where the industry is headed. We promote continuous learning, training, and growth for each engineer.
You will accelerate your career by building solutions using contemporary C++, Rust, Python, and highly customized hardware technologies. Your skills will be honed through rigorous code reviews and robust GitLab DevOps pipelines.
You will face and tackle our customers' most demanding technical challenges with modern languages and architectures. You will work closely with your teammates to analyze a problem space and ensure the best approach is implemented. At the end of the day, you will go home satisfied, knowing you have done your best work and built a product that will stand up to the toughest of operational environments.
We think you'll click with us if you: Are a creative thinker who enjoys solving the hard problemsBalance confidence with radical open-mindednessCollaborate effectively with teammatesSee your projects from start to finish Requirements: Minimum of 10 Years of ExperienceA degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or another related technical fieldHigh standards and strive to deliver beautiful solutionsCreative ideas and unique solutions to challenging technical problemsFantastic problem-solving and critical-thinking skillsStrong C++ and Software Engineering SkillsA U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a National Security Clearance (SECRET) Whole-Problem Responsibility: We don't feed engineers features and bugs to fulfill. Learn to tackle the whole problem. At Polyrhythm, 'Whole-Problem Responsibility' isn't just a philosophy; it's the core of how we operate. When you join our ranks, you're not just a coder; you're a creator, a problem-solver, an innovator. Here's what that means for you:

Autonomous Project Management: You will have the autonomy to oversee projects from inception to deployment. This means you'll make critical decisions, manage timelines, and be responsible for the outcome. Your project is your brainchild, and you'll have the authority to guide it to success.Freedom in Problem-Solving: We give you a canvas, not a checklist. With the end goal in mind, you can explore various avenues to find the best solution. While you'll have access to a team for collaboration, how you solve the problem is largely in your hands.Ownership of Outcomes: Take pride in your work with the knowledge that you are entrusted with significant responsibilities. You'll own your successes, learn from your challenges, and stand behind the quality of your solutions.Innovative Latitude: Within the scope of your project, you have the freedom to innovate and experiment. We're all ears if there's a new technology or an unconventional methodology you believe could advance the project. It's about finding the best, not the most convenient, solution.Holistic Involvement: Your role extends beyond writing code. You will be involved in understanding user needs, designing solutions, testing implementations, and witnessing how your work affects end-users. This comprehensive involvement ensures a greater connection to the project and a deeper understanding of its impact.Cultivating Leadership: For those with the drive to lead, you'll find opportunities to mentor, guide junior engineers, and take charge of initiatives. Leadership at Polyrhythm means inspiring your team, directing the project vision, and setting new precedents in engineering excellence. In essence, Whole-Problem Responsibility empowers you to be the architect of your work, encourages you to innovate fearlessly, and expects you to own your projects with a sense of pride and purpose. At Polyrhythm, you're not just part of the process—you are the process.
Culture, Impact, and Innovation: Work With and Lead Small Teams: We emphasize agile, mission-driven work, not monolithic waterfall projects. Our stream-aligned teams are usually 4 to 7 people in size, making them cohesive and giving a lot of staff an opportunity to lead.Mission-Critical Contributions: Your work will be at the forefront of developing robust systems that are integral to national security and defense. As part of our team, you'll tackle challenges that aid in the safety and effectiveness of the warfighter, ensuring that your contributions have a direct and meaningful impact.Cutting-Edge Innovation: While the details of our projects are classified, the technologies and methodologies you'll engage with are at the bleeding edge of industry capabilities. You will have the opportunity to apply Modern C++, Rust, and Python, and work with highly customized hardware in ways that push the boundaries of what's possible.Solving Complex Problems: You'll engage with problem sets that few have the skills or clearance to understand. The complexity of the work we do serves a greater purpose, and you'll see the tangible outcomes of your efforts in the advancements of Air Force capabilities.Continuous Advancement: In an environment where change is the only constant, you'll continually learn and adapt. Our commitment to continuous improvement means you're always on the cutting edge of software engineering, all while contributing to projects that make a difference.Collaborative Innovation: Within our walls, you'll find a culture of open collaboration. We brainstorm, we challenge, we innovate — together. Each day, you're part of a team that's shaping the future of defense technology. In this role, you'll not only witness the impact of your work but will also be a part of a legacy of technological advancement that supports national security objectives. If you are driven by a desire to innovate within the parameters of a critical mission, Polyrhythm is your stage.
Soft Skills and Team Dynamics: At Polyrhythm, we don't just work alongside each other; we work with one another. Our stream-aligned teams are the heartbeat of our idea-meritocracy. We believe the best solutions stem from a symphony of perspectives, where each voice is valued, and every idea stands on its own merit. You'll thrive here if you:
Communicate with Purpose: Daily stand-ups, sprint retrospectives, and pair programming sessions are arenas where your voice is essential. Clear and concise communication is our norm, whether it's discussing a bug fix or brainstorming new features.Build Synchronously: We stay in rhythm with our teammates through continuous, open dialogue. You'll frequently collaborate on code, share your screen to troubleshoot issues together, and actively contribute to our living documentation.Cultivate Relationships: From impromptu whiteboard sessions to team-building events, we invest time in understanding and appreciating each other beyond the code. Expect to join a community where strong professional relationships form the foundation of outstanding work.Nurture Idea-Sharing: In our idea-meritocracy, the best idea wins, not the loudest voice. Lead and Be Led: With our small, agile teams, you'll have ample opportunities to lead initiatives and equally, to support your peers in their endeavors. Leadership at Polyrhythm means being a guiding tempo, helping your team maintain the pace and harmony needed to excel. In essence, our engineers don't just solve technical challenges; they grow into well-rounded professionals who understand the art of working through complex problems with a group of diverse yet like-minded individuals.
Some of our Benefits and Perks: 4 Weeks of Paid Time Off11 Paid Federal HolidaysHealthcare401(k)Work from Home StipendAttend a Technical Conference Every Year Our Recruiting Process: Interested?! - Talk with a Recruiter to Setup an Interview!
It takes all types to make Polyrhythm great. If you are someone who enjoys creating innovative ways to reach ambitious goals, who is open to and energized by receiving honest feedback: we should talk.