Software Engineer

Job Title:

Software Engineer (Real-Time Data Systems & Integration) Job Description This Software Engineer role focuses on building and maintaining a mission-critical real-time data gateway that connects remote platforms such as UAVs, ships, and sensors with centralized systems. The gateway ingests live telemetry, proprietary sensor data, and video streams, converts and validates this information, and forwards it reliably even over unstable network connections. You will develop high-performance backend services, real-time APIs, and video streaming components, while contributing to a web-based dashboard that allows operators to monitor and adjust system behavior in real time. This position is ideal for engineers who enjoy backend development, networking, and streaming data, and who want to deepen their expertise in asynchronous Python, video pipelines, and resilient system design. Responsibilities Design, develop, and maintain a real-time data gateway that ingests telemetry, sensor data, and video from remote platforms and dispatches it to centralized data centers. Implement and extend a comprehensive real-time

HTTPS API

for specialized sensor data such as AIS, EPIRB, gas measurements, and automated reporting. Develop asynchronous UDP listeners to process standardized metadata formats and proprietary data streams, ensuring robust handling of high-throughput data. Support and refine a video engine using FFmpeg to provide compliant H.264 video streams with embedded metadata while maintaining low latency. Implement standardized self-healing logic, including automated reconnection policies and data transmission frequency controls to ensure resilient operation over unstable networks. Contribute to a web-based operator dashboard that enables real-time monitoring and configuration of stream parameters such as bitrate, resolution, and connection status. Develop backend logic for telemetry, flight status, and sensor-specific web services that integrate with external systems and APIs. Assist in collecting test evidence, performing log analysis, and validating system integration to ensure performance, stability, and data integrity. Prepare the system for acceptance testing by verifying that the gateway meets defined performance, stability, and data integrity standards. Collaborate closely with a lead developer and other team members to design, review, and improve system architecture and implementation. Work with RESTful APIs and asynchronous HTTP clients to integrate external services and implement secure authentication flows. Document designs, APIs, and operational procedures clearly and maintain collaborative documentation to support ongoing development and operations. Essential Skills Strong proficiency in Python, including experience or clear interest in concurrent and asynchronous programming (for example, asyncio). Experience building real-time HTTP or HTTPS APIs using frameworks such as FastAPI (preferred), Flask, or Django REST Framework. Familiarity with data validation libraries such as Pydantic for defining and enforcing structured schemas. Understanding of networking concepts, including UDP/IP and TCP/IP, and how they apply to real-time data and streaming systems. Experience working with RESTful APIs, including designing endpoints and consuming external services. Experience with asynchronous HTTP clients such as httpx or aiohttp for integrating with external APIs in a non-blocking manner. Knowledge of standard authentication methods, including JSON Web Tokens (JWT), for securing APIs and services. Experience with real-time video pipelines or streaming technologies such as FFmpeg, GStreamer, RTP/RTSP, MPEG-TS, HLS, or H.264. Ability to work with backend APIs and integrate them with dashboards or other operator-facing tools. Experience using version control systems and collaborative documentation tools such as Jira and Confluence. Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with FastAPI for building performant, real-time APIs and services. Familiarity with additional API frameworks such as Flask and Django REST Framework. Exposure to operator dashboards and web-based interfaces for real-time monitoring and configuration, especially those driven by APIs and modern frontend frameworks. Experience with video and streaming technologies including FFmpeg, GStreamer, RTP, RTSP, MPEG-TS, HLS, and H.264, or similar real-time data and imaging pipelines. Understanding of streaming and messaging protocols such as RTSP, WebRTC, HTTP, MQTT, CoAP, and AMQP. Experience with AIS, telemetry, KLV, MISB, or similar metadata standards used in real-time sensor and video systems. Basic knowledge of geospatial data formats and concepts, such as GeoJSON and WGS84, for real-time mapping and target annotation. Interest in remote sensing, UAV/RPAS technology, or maritime surveillance systems and their associated data flows. Experience building or integrating dashboards for real-time operational monitoring and control. Motivation to work on mission-critical systems that operate under low-latency, intermittent connection, and continuous data flow conditions. Interest in growing expertise in async Python, video pipelines, resilient system design, and domain-specific technologies that are not easily learned in typical application development roles. Work Environment The role begins with a strong on-site presence during initial design and integration phases to facilitate close collaboration and rapid feedback. After this phase, the position can transition to a heavily remote or potentially fully remote arrangement, depending on project needs and mutual agreement. You will work in an environment focused on real-time, mission-critical systems where software interacts directly with live sensor data, video streams, and networked devices. The culture emphasizes hands-on problem solving, close collaboration with a lead developer, and continuous learning in areas such as networking, streaming, and resilient system design. You will see your work operate in live, real-world conditions, contributing to systems that are deployed, tested, and validated in operational environments rather than purely theoretical or batch-processing contexts. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Bingen, WA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $64.90 - $81.73/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Bingen,WA.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 12, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.