Software Engineer (Contract)

540 is seeking a Software Engineer to support the DoW in building a next-generation Air Force aircraft maintenance platform. This application leverages Java/Spring Boot microservices, Angular front-end applications, and cloud-native infrastructure (Kubernetes, Google Cloud, Apigee). Engineers on this team build and scale full-stack features across user interfaces, backend services, and data layers that power critical maintenance operations. This platform will modernize how Air Force maintainers plan and execute maintenance and is a key part of the Air Force’s technology strategy for the coming decade.

This role is offered as a contract engagement and is ideal for engineers who value flexibility, autonomy, and high-impact work. While there may be an opportunity to convert to full-time in the future, conversion is not guaranteed and is dependent on program needs.

Location: Remote within the continental United States, East Coast working hours
Citizenship & Clearance Requirement: per client requirements, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a DoW Secret clearance
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related engineering field (preferred)
Contract Duration: initial 12 month contract, 40 hours per week

WHY 540?

540 is a forward-thinking company that the government turns to in order to #getshitdone. We don’t just talk about innovation – we deliver it. We break down barriers, build impactful technology, and solve mission-critical problems.

HOW YOU’LL DRIVE IMPACT

• Develop full-stack features across Angular front-end applications and Java/Spring Boot microservices
• Develop offline-first capabilities that enable reliable client-side data persistence and seamless synchronization with backend systems
• Build and deploy services in containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Design and integrate RESTful APIs to enable secure communication across systems
• Implement asynchronous messaging patterns (Kafka) for distributed systems
• Design and maintain data models and persistence layers (Postgres or MySQL), along with client-side storage solutions (IndexedDB)
• Collaborate with engineers, architects, and stakeholders to translate mission needs into scalable technical solutions
• Contribute to technical design documentation, including system diagrams and architecture artifacts
• Participate in code reviews, testing, and troubleshooting to ensure high-quality software
• Support and improve CI/CD pipelines and deployment processes
• Enhance system performance, scalability, and reliability as the platform evolves

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of professional software development experience
• Strong experience with Java and Spring Boot for building production-grade services
• Experience with JavaScript/TypeScript and modern frameworks (Angular preferred)
• Experience developing microservices in containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience with asynchronous messaging systems (Kafka)
• Proficiency with build tools such as Gradle or Maven
• Experience designing resilient data synchronization patterns and RESTful interfaces
• Experience working with relational databases (Postgres or MySQL) and client-side storage solutions (IndexedDB)
• Ability to produce technical design documentation (diagrams, system designs)
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to learn new technologies quickly
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Demonstrated ownership and ability to drive work from concept through delivery

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience building offline-capable web applications (PWAs)
• Hands-on experience with browser-based databases such as IndexedDB
• Familiarity with Web Crypto API for client-side encryption-at-rest
• Experience implementing conflict resolution patterns (e.g., syncing and merging client/server data)
• Experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) or similar cloud environments
• Experience with API gateways and API management platforms, such as Google Apigee
• Familiarity with API authentication and authorization (PKI, OAuth2, JWT, LDAP, SAML, etc.)
• Experience working with OpenAPI/Swagger specifications
• Experience supporting U.S. Federal Government programs, particularly DoW environments
• GCP Certifications (Professional Cloud Architect or Professional Cloud Developer)

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)

540's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and p