---
title: 'Senior Software Engineer at Picogrid'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-picogrid-el-segundo-19sacnfngrr4'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Senior Software Engineer at Picogrid

- **Company:** Picogrid
- **Location:** El Segundo, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-07-31
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/picogrid/44fea57b-71fa-42af-a983-238227de80b3

## Job description

## Who we are

Picogrid is a leading venture-backed defense technology company founded to bridge the decades-long gap between modern technology and the critical demands of national security. Today, we're building the essential infrastructure to unify sensors, autonomy, and operators with our technology deployed in active operations around the world. Our mission is to deliver an operational advantage to secure the United States and its allies.

## ABOUT THE ROLE

Legion is Picogrid's core platform: it connects sensors, cameras, drones, and third-party systems into a single operational picture that military users rely on in live missions. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll own significant pieces of that platform end to end — from API design through deployment and operation in production.

You'll work on things like:

- Designing and building backend services in Go — REST and gRPC APIs and event-driven pipelines that serve real-time sensor and video feeds.
- Building integrations that connect Legion to hardware devices and common operating pictures (COP) like TAK, so data flows to operators wherever they are.
- Building command-and-control (C2) capabilities — tasking systems that let operators connect and task any device in the field, from cameras to drones to sensors, through a single interface.
- Designing the data models and ingestion pipelines that keep high volumes of telemetry, detections, and geospatial data queryable at mission scale.

Everything you build runs in production across cloud and disconnected edge environments, so the problems are system-level: data arriving from unreliable networks, integrations with hardware that doesn't follow the spec, and users who need the platform to work the first time, every time. You'll talk directly with the operators and partners who use what you build, and you'll frequently ship something one week that's used in the field the next.

This role fits an engineer who wants ownership over outcomes rather than tickets — someone who is comfortable making architectural decisions, holds a high bar for code quality and testing, and finds it motivating (not stressful) that their work has an immediate, tangible effect on national security.

## REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
- 5+ years of hands-on backend engineering experience in fast-paced, production environments using Go, Python, TypeScript, or similar languages.
- Strong background in APIs, distributed systems, data pipelines, or real-time processing.
- Deep experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL), object stores (e.g., S3, MinIO), and geospatial tools.
- Strong grasp of HTTP APIs (REST, gRPC, GraphQL) and authentication/authorization models.
- History of working directly with customers to build and deliver meaningful software.
- Demonstrated ability to operate with urgency, ownership, and high engineering standards.

## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Exposure to DOD IL5+, Top Secret, and JWICS environments, including understanding of DOD RMF, FedRAMP, or NIST 800-53.
- Experience supporting Golang-based applications in production.
- Experience building plugins or integrations for common military command-and-control (C2) platforms (e.g. TAK, Maven, Lattice).

## COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

- Base salary range: $150,000 - $220,000 per year. Base salary is just one part of your total compensation package at Picogrid.
- Significant stock options with a high potential upside as an early-stage company
- 401(k) with employer matching
- Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
- Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)
- Unlimited PTO (two-week minimum) and 11 paid holidays per year
- Paid parental leave for both parents
- Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette
- Free EV charging at the HQ
- Unique office in El Segundo, CA stocked with quality coffee, snacks, and craft beer

Export Control Requirements

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.

## Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Picogrid is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

## About Picogrid

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Picogrid builds an open integration platform that connects sensors, unmanned systems, and command nodes across land, sea, air, and space for defense and public safety missions.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A)
- **Headquarters**: El Segundo, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Zane Mountcastle (CEO) and Martin Slosarik (Co-Founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Defense and Space Manufacturing, National Security, Public Safety
- **Target customers**: US and allied military forces, defense vendors, government agencies (B2G)
- **Mission**: Protect service members and civilians by making mission-critical systems work as one – because speed and cohesion are essential.

## Products & Services
- **Picogrid Platform**: A family of hardware and software products that integrate physical and digital assets. Enables fast deployment, seamless coordination, and edge-to-cloud operations across domains (air defense, base security, SIGINT, wildfire intelligence, human-machine teaming).
- **Orion**: A dual-use partner ecosystem that unifies legacy and next-gen satellites, sensors, drones, and C2 systems into a standardized, real-time operational picture.
- **Legion**: An API layer that allows third-party hardware and software to plug into Picogrid’s ecosystem, enabling rapid integration of new capabilities.
- **Expeditionary C2 Nodes**: Ruggedized hardware for field-deployed command-and-control, connecting edge devices and legacy systems.
- **Custom Solutions**: Tailored integrations for specific missions (e.g., wildfire response, air defense networks).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding raised – **$57.31M** (including $45M Series A announced May 29, 2026, led by Bessemer Venture Partners)
- **Notable Investors**: Bessemer Venture Partners (lead Series A), Initialized Capital (seed lead), Starburst Ventures, Credo Ventures, Giant Step Capital, Alumni Ventures, Washington Harbour, GSBackers, and industry angels.
- **Growth Signals**: 103.3% YoY headcount growth (45 employees); 24 active job postings (+140% YoY); deployed globally with US and allied forces; integration ecosystem spans 100+ defense systems (Skydio, Northrop Grumman, Echodyne, CX2, Neros); recent integration of Ukraine-proven Shahed interceptors; partnerships with Hoverfly for persistent aerial detection.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Open integration layer**: Hardware-agnostic, vendor-neutral platform that eliminates the “seams” between proprietary systems – a central bottleneck in modern defense.
- **Dual-use ecosystem**: Already trusted by elite operators and used in active operations, giving Picogrid real-world credibility that is hard for new entrants to replicate.
- **Speed of deployment**: Products are designed for rapid field integration, reducing the time from procurement to operational capability.
- **Broad domain coverage**: Land, sea, air, space, and cyber (SIGINT) – a unified approach across all operational domains.

## Strategic Focus
- Expand the product family and integration capabilities into new operational domains (e.g., space, undersea).
- Scale manufacturing in California and Oklahoma to meet growing demand from US forces and allies.
- Deepen the partner ecosystem to attract more defense vendors onto the platform, reinforcing network effects.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven work**: “Build systems that protect lives” – employees directly contribute to national security and public safety.
- **Rapid growth**: 103% headcount growth YoY, indicating strong trajectory and opportunity for impact.
- **Technical challenges**: Work spans edge software, field hardware, AI/ML, autonomy, and systems integration – appealing to engineers who want to solve hard problems.
- **Culture**: Emphasis on speed, cohesion, and operational relevance. The company values hands-on builders and mission partners.
- **Remote/Hybrid/Office**: Not explicitly stated, but headquarters in El Segundo, CA with additional locations in Oklahoma and Ukraine. Likely a mix of on-site and field deployment roles.
- **Notable perks**: Not detailed, but the engineering culture is described as building edge software and field hardware that shapes the future of defense.

## Sources
1. [picogrid.com](https://picogrid.com/)
2. [picogrid.com/careers](https://picogrid.com/careers)
3. [picogrid.com/mission](https://picogrid.com/mission)
4. [linkedin.com/company/picogrid](https://www.linkedin.com/company/picogrid)
5. [cbinsights.com/company/picogrid](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/picogrid)

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