Senior Technical Lead — R&D Mission Systems

Shape Mission-Focused R&D From Idea to Impact

About the role

Rackner is seeking a Senior Technical Lead — R&D Mission Systems to help shape, demonstrate, and advance mission-focused technical capabilities for government customers. This is a high-visibility technical leadership role for someone who wants to stay close to the technology while having more influence over what gets built, why it matters, and how it reaches mission users.

Responsibilities

• Lead mission-focused R&D efforts, demos, and customer-facing technical engagements
• Work with customers, mission users, and internal stakeholders to understand what needs to be built
• Translate mission workflows, user feedback, and early requirements into clear technical direction
• Guide architecture, system design, technical tradeoffs, and prototype planning
• Partner with R&D engineers to move ideas from concept to working software or demonstrable capability
• Support prototypes involving mission systems, AI/data workflows, analytics, automation, APIs, or data pipelines
• Explain system behavior, constraints, risks, and tradeoffs to technical and non-technical audiences
• Represent Rackner with credibility and professionalism in technical meetings, events, demos, and feedback sessions

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required due to federal contract requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Strong technical credibility with modern software engineering, system design, APIs, data workflows, cloud environments, or related technologies
• Experience leading or significantly contributing to software, data, AI/ML, mission systems, or complex technical delivery work
• Ownership of technical outcomes from concept through implementation, demonstration, or operational use
• Strong communication skills with engineers, technical leaders, customers, and non-engineering stakeholders
• Willingness to travel approximately 15% for R&D events, demos, collaboration sessions, or mission-focused engagements

Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance or higher
• Background supporting DoD, Air Force, Space Force, mission command, battle management, C2, ISR, mission planning, autonomy, defense software, or national security programs
• Experience engaging with operators, mission users, military stakeholders, government customers, or non-engineering audiences
• Experience gathering product requirements, translating user workflows, or helping shape technical roadmaps
• Hands-on experience with Python, APIs, backend services, data workflows, AI/data systems, automation, or analytics
• Exposure to data pipelines, structured or semi-structured data, JSON/schema transformation, data validation, model workflows, MLOps, or mission data systems
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, containers, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, Helm, CI/CD, observability, DevSecOps, or secure software delivery practices
• Experience building or supporting prototypes, technical demos, pilots, field events, customer reviews, or live exercises
• Background in R&D, defense tech, applied AI, data systems, mission systems, or startup-like technical environments

Benefits

Company-supported certifications aligned to current and future program work, including cloud, Kubernetes, DevSecOps, security, AI/ML, project management, and related technical areas

Clear advancement tracks and future leadership opportunities

401(k) with 100% match up to 6%

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage

Grossly generous PTO and paid holidays

Home-office equipment plan and remote work support

Fitness and wellness reimbursement

Weekly pay schedule and modern perks, including team events

Equal Opportunity

Rackner is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.