---
title: 'Senior Technical Architect, Data Engineering at Slingshot Aerospace'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-technical-architect-data-engineering-slingshot-aerospace-washington-pd7h0qcvyrne'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Senior Technical Architect, Data Engineering at Slingshot Aerospace

- **Company:** Slingshot Aerospace
- **Location:** Washington, DC
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-05-15
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/slingshotaerospace/jobs/5996935004?gh_jid=5996935004

## Job description

Meet Slingshot

At Slingshot Aerospace, we're on a mission to make space safer and more secure for everyone. Our work directly impacts global security, disaster response, climate monitoring, and the critical infrastructure that connects our world. We're a team of builders, thinkers, and problem-solvers who believe that the next generation of space operations will be powered by better data and smarter software. We move fast, we're not afraid to fail, and we believe the best ideas can come from anywhere—whether you're in engineering, sales, product, or operations. If you want to work on something that truly matters, with people who care deeply about the impact we're making and help shape the future of an industry that's just getting started, you're in the right place.

## What You'll Be Launching

Seeking a Technical Architect to lead the design and implementation of secure, scalable, and high‑performance data processing platforms. This role (Washington DC–Baltimore area) requires deep expertise in Python, FastAPI, distributed event‑driven architectures, MongoDB, and at least one in‑memory data store such as Redis. The architect will own system design, standards, and production‑grade delivery across ingestion, transformation, streaming, and service layers while enforcing Secure SDLC practices. Much of the work is remote however some onsite visits will be required within the DC area to a SCIF. Ideal candidates live in the DC-Baltimore area and have an Active Top Security Clearance with SCI Eligibility.

## About the Team

This is a net-new opportunity to join a small senior team building scalable Python/FastAPI microservices, streaming pipelines, and AI-enabled workflows using technologies like Kafka, MongoDB, Redis, Kubernetes, and AWS GovCloud. The role offers direct influence over architecture, engineering standards, and platform strategy in a highly secure, high-impact environment. Experience with distributed systems, RAG pipelines, and modern cloud-native development is strongly preferred.

Your Mission (Should you choose to accept it)

- Architect and implement Python‑based ETL frameworks, orchestration layers, and high‑throughput data pipelines.
- Design and optimize real‑time event‑driven streaming systems using Kafka and/or RabbitMQ.
- Build and scale FastAPI‑based microservices with strong focus on performance, security, and observability.
- Lead MongoDB data modeling, indexing strategies, aggregation pipelines, and performance tuning.
- Architect caching, session management, and high‑speed data access layers using Redis or similar memory‑based databases.
- Apply Secure SDLC principles across architecture, coding, CI/CD, and deployment workflows.
- Lead architecture reviews and define engineering standards for distributed systems.
- Diagnose and resolve complex system, data, and performance issues in production environments.
- Drive containerization, Kubernetes‑native deployment patterns, and AWS cloud integration.

Pre-flight Checklist

- Expert‑level Python experience across ETL systems, microservices, and distributed data processing.
- Strong FastAPI design and implementation experience.
- Deep, production-level experience with Kafka and/or RabbitMQ.
- Mandatory MongoDB expertise: schema design, indexing, aggregation, sharding/replication.
- Experience with at least one memory‑based database (Redis strongly preferred).
- Strong Linux proficiency and experience with Docker/Kubernetes.
- Demonstrated ability to debug complex distributed or high‑scale systems.
- Implement Agentic AI workflows using LangChain and Crew AI.
- Hands‑on AWS experience across compute, data, networking, and security services.
- Proven application of Secure SDLC principles and secure architecture patterns.
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in CS, Engineering, or related field.

Bonus Cargo

- Space industry data familiarity is a plus.
- Current and Active Top Security Clearance with SCI Eligibility strongly preferred

Location: Washington DC-Baltimore Area*

- Much of the work is remote however some onsite visits will be required within the DC area to a SCIF. Ideal candidates live in the DC-Baltimore area.

Compensation: $175k - 250k, Equity and [Benefits](https://benefits.planyear.com/Qm6esm4f/SlingshotAerospace)

US-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following U.S. states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV We are unable to consider candidates residing in other U.S. states at this time.

Internationally-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following locations: United Kingdom. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other countries at this time.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for creating a safer, more connected world. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also national origin, citizenship, sex, color, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic that is part of one’s identity. All of our employees’ points of view are key to our success, and we embrace individuality.

## About Slingshot Aerospace

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Slingshot Aerospace delivers Space Operations Intelligence and Autonomy (SOIA) software and sensor systems that help defense, commercial, and sovereign operators track, interpret, and act on activity in space.
- **Entity Type**: Private (funding stage: Series A + multiple grants/debt; total funding ~$150.8M)
- **Headquarters**: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
- **Founded**: 2017
- **Founders**: Melanie Striclan and David Godwin

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing; Space Domain Awareness
- **Target customers**: Government (U.S. Space Force, allied defense agencies), commercial satellite operators, sovereign space agencies – primarily B2G and B2B enterprise
- **Mission**: “Make space safe, sustainable, and secure” – enable customers to move from awareness to confident decision-making and autonomous action

## Products & Services
- **Slingshot Portal**: Unified platform combining real-time space data, AI analytics, and mission workflows – SaaS or on‑prem deployment.
- **Beacon (Conjunction Assessment)**: Space domain awareness platform for conjunction alerts, operator coordination, and global incident visualization.
- **Agatha AI**: Anomaly analytics engine that uses explainable machine learning to identify and surface unexpected satellite behavior.
- **TALOS AI**: AI-driven maneuver planning and decision support for risk‑informed course of action evaluation.
- **Digital Space Twin**: Physics‑based 3D environment for near real‑time orbital modeling and simulation.
- **Slingshot Laboratory**: Collaborative simulation sandbox for teaching orbital mechanics and space concepts.
- **Seradata**: Comprehensive satellite and launch intelligence database with decades of historical data.
- **PNT‑SA**: Geospatial intelligence platform for detecting GPS jamming and spoofing.
- **Sensor Hardware**: Proprietary telescopes – Varda (wide‑field LEO fence), Horus (cued LEO‑GEO tracking), Argus (uncued GEO tracking) – that feed the Slingshot Global Sensor Network.
- **APIs & Developer Tools**: Modular access via APIs, SDKs, and MCP services for integration into existing workflows.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metrics**:
  - Annual Revenue: ~$9M (as of most recent data)  [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/slingshot-aerospace)
  - Total Funding: ~$150.8M across 15 rounds  [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/slingshot-aerospace)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**:
  - ATX Venture Partners (lead Series A)
  - Sway Ventures
  - Advent International
  - Horizon Technology Finance (debt financing)
  - U.S. Space Force (contracts, grants)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount 165 (+30.3% YoY, +47 people)  [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/slingshot-aerospace)
  - Awarded a $27M Space Force contract to power the AI‑driven training environment for space warfare  [slingshot.space](https://www.slingshot.space/news/slingshot-aerospace-awarded-27-million-space-force-contract-to-power-the-ai-driven-training-environment-for-space-warfare)
  - Named to Fast Company’s 2026 list of Most Innovative Companies  [slingshot.space](https://www.slingshot.space/)
  - Launched Portal platform in 2025/2026
  - Offices in 5 countries (US, UK, Taiwan, India, Argentina)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proprietary sensor network**: Slingshot owns its sensing layer (Varda, Horus, Argus), enabling sensor‑originated truth independent of third‑party data.
- **Closed‑loop SOIA platform**: Integrates sensing, data fusion, AI decision support, and autonomous action in a single operational environment – unlike pure SDA providers.
- **AI‑first design**: AI agents (Agatha, TALOS) reduce manual burden and accelerate operator response times.
- **Modular delivery**: SaaS, API, on‑prem, or whole‑catalog licensing – adapts to commercial and sovereign needs.
- **Deep government trust**: Multiple Space Force contracts, partnerships with defense and intelligence agencies.

## Strategic Focus
- Expanding the AI‑driven training and mission planning ecosystem (e.g., $27M Space Force training contract)
- Growing the Slingshot Global Sensor Network with more sensor types and geographic coverage, including cislunar sensing
- Scaling the Portal platform as a single entry point for all Slingshot intelligence, with developer APIs and ecosystem integrations
- International expansion (UK office as General Manager for international, presence in Taiwan, India, Argentina)

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Mission**: Direct impact on space safety and national security; work on cutting‑edge AI, astrodynamics, and sensor systems.
- **Flexibility**: Remote‑first culture with physical offices in Windsor, CO (US) and Cornwall, UK.  [slingshot.space](https://www.slingshot.space/careers)
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible PTO; stock options for long‑term alignment.  [slingshot.space](https://www.slingshot.space/careers)
- **Engineering Culture**: Engineering and technical roles make up ~32% of staff (65 people) – strong emphasis on data science, ML, and software development.  [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/slingshot-aerospace)
- **Growth Opportunity**: Rapidly growing headcount (+30% YoY) and revenue trajectory, with significant contracts and venture backing – opportunity to shape new category.

## Sources
1. [slingshot.space/careers](https://www.slingshot.space/careers)
2. [slingshot.space/](https://www.slingshot.space/)
3. [slingshot.space/about](https://www.slingshot.space/about)
4. [linkedin.com/company/slingshot-aerospace](https://www.linkedin.com/company/slingshot-aerospace)
5. [slingshot.space/product-overview](https://www.slingshot.space/product-overview)

## Other roles at Slingshot Aerospace

- [UX Researcher](https://feeny.ai/job/ux-researcher-slingshot-aerospace-united-states-xd1gvevaj53m) — United States
- [Senior Technical Architect, Product Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-technical-architect-product-engineering-slingshot-aerospace-united-states-6hgc3m1bq5qm) — United States