Senior Software Engineer (Layer 7 API Gateway & Backend Lead)

• Company: Vega Federal
• Employment Type: Direct Hire / Full-Time
• Salary Range: $160,000 – $200,000 / year
• Location: Richardson, TX (100% On-Site | Paid Relocation Available)
• Clearance Requirement: Active Top Secret (TS) Clearance required prior to start
• Openings: 2 Positions

Mandatory Certifications Required Prior to Start

• CompTIA Security+ (Active DoD 8570/8140 Baseline Certification)

Position Overview

Vega Federal is seeking a Senior Software Engineer with 8+ years of professional engineering experience to serve as a technical lead for backend development, complex systems integration, and enterprise API architecture in Richardson, TX. In this role, you will lead the design, security, and optimization of Broadcom Layer 7 API Gateways and high-performance backend Java architectures. You will serve as a subject matter expert across network security protocols, API lifecycle management, and Linux automation while mentoring junior/mid-level engineers in an Agile federal environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and optimize mission-critical backend services and integration pipelines using advanced Java and network programming techniques.
• Lead the configuration, policy authoring, custom assertion development, and architectural management of Broadcom Layer 7 API Gateway solutions.
• Design and execute enterprise Linux automation, deployment scripts, and CI/CD utility workflows to ensure seamless system integration.
• Drive end-to-end network security implementations, including OAuth2, SAML, JWT, mutual TLS (mTLS), digital certificates, and secure routing protocols across multi-tier federal networks.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship within Agile engineering teams, driving best practices in code quality, security architecture, and system performance.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 8+ years of professional software engineering experience focused on senior-level backend Java architecture, network programming, and enterprise system integration.
• Layer 7 Expertise: Deep, hands-on technical experience architecting, configuring, and maintaining Broadcom Layer 7 API Gateways in complex enterprise environments.
• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret (TS) Clearance required prior to start date (U.S. Citizenship required).
• Certifications: Active CompTIA Security+ certification.
• Technical Core: Mastery of Java, Linux shell scripting (Bash/Python), enterprise API design, and core network security protocols.
• Location & Work Style: Ability to work 100% on-site in Richardson, TX (or open to paid relocation). Exceptional technical leadership, oral, and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in enterprise identity/access management, public key infrastructure (PKI), and API security governance.
• Strong Linux system administration background and advanced Python development capabilities.
• Experience architecting AWS cloud native applications, containerization (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Demonstrated experience embedding DevSecOps practices into modern software development lifecycles (SDLC).