Sr. Software Developer - Scrum Master

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Senior Software Developer — Scrum Master to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting a mission-critical, future-ready automation platform built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture, enabling next-generation air traffic management capabilities. This role operates within a SAFe/Agile framework as part of an Agile Release Train (ART) delivering iterative value across the program. Approximately 50% of your time will be spent designing, developing, testing, and maintaining production software for the L-CAP platform, while the remaining 50% will be dedicated to serving as Scrum Master for an Agile development team on the ART. We are looking for experienced software engineers who enjoy facilitating Agile teams while remaining actively involved in coding, technical design, reviews, and software delivery. This is a hybrid role (3 days onsite) based in Gaithersburg, MD. This role focuses on building and modernizing real-time, safety-critical systems using a combination of traditional systems engineering and AI-augmented software development practices. You’ll work on software that directly supports national air traffic operations, applying AI tools to accelerate development, improve quality, and enhance system reliability. Primary Responsibilities: Approximately 50% hands-on software engineering: design, develop, test, review, debug, deploy, and maintain production-quality cloud-native microservices while contributing to software architecture and technical design decisionsApproximately 50% Scrum Master responsibilities: facilitate Agile ceremonies, remove impediments, promote continuous improvement, and help the team deliver predictable sprint and PI outcomesGuide the team through SAFe cadence including PI planning, iteration planning, backlog refinement, system demos, and inspect-and-adapt workshopsTrack and communicate team flow metrics, velocity, and PI objective progress, using data to drive continuous improvementCoordinate with the Release Train Engineer, Product Owner, management, and cross-functional stakeholders to communicate team status, risks, dependencies, and delivery progressManage cross-team and cross-ART dependencies, escalating and resolving blockers that threaten committed outcomesLeverage modern DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, AI-assisted development tools, and engineering best practices to accelerate delivery of secure, high-quality softwareSupport integration with legacy air traffic systems and next-generation platform components, including interface definition and troubleshootingSupport deployment, operational troubleshooting, and resolution of critical issues in development, test, and production environmentsUphold code quality standards, automated testing practices, and peer review discipline within the teamMentor junior engineers and foster collaboration across engineering teams to ensure successful sprint execution and program delivery Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).Ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation5+ years of experience designing, developing, testing, and reviewing production Java applications2+ years of experience serving as a Scrum Master on a SAFe Agile team within a large-scale software development environmentExperience designing and implementing microservices and RESTful APIs, including JSON, XML, and XSDSignificant experience with the Spring Framework, Spring Boot, and Spring SecurityExperience with unit testing frameworks such as JUnit and MockitoExperience with modern web front-end technologies (React, JavaScript, HTML, CSS)Significant experience with LinuxSignificant experience with version control systems such as GitExperience with CI/CD pipelines and modern DevOps practicesExperience with common development tools and IDEs (IntelliJ, Eclipse, VS Code, etc.)Understanding of sound software development principles and practicesAbility to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with both technical and non-technical audiences Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of or experience with AI-assisted coding tools (Claude Code, Codex, etc.)SAFe Scrum Master (SSM), SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM), CSM, or PSM certificationExperience with hybrid cloud architectures, data mesh patterns, and cloud-native platform servicesExperience with containers and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)Experience with event-driven architectures and messaging (Kafka or equivalent)Knowledge of or experience with the Python programming languageKnowledge of or experience with Ansible playbooks and YAMLKnowledge of or experience with Linux shell scriptingKnowledge of or experience with MongoDB or other NoSQL data storesKnowledge of FedRAMP, FISMA, or government security compliance frameworksExperience with safety-critical or highly regulated software domainsKnowledge of air traffic control systems, air traffic management, or flight servicesTrack record of successful delivery on large government programs Compensation to include: Salary Range: $130,000 - $175,000 depending on experienceFull Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, PTO, Sick Leave if Required by Law This job opens for applications on 10/9/2026. Applications for this position will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date. Keywords: AI Software Developer, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, AI-Assisted Development, Microservices, Software Engineering, Java, Python, C++, Linux, Agile, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, DevSecOps, CI/CD, AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, Kubernetes, Kafka, Event Streaming, APIs, Distributed Systems, Cloud Computing, Automated Testing, Unit Testing, Integration Testing, End-to-End Testing, Contract Testing, Software Architecture, Systems Engineering, Air Traffic Control, FAA, Aviation Technology, Government Programs, Public Trust Clearance, Real-Time Systems, Mission-Critical Systems, Backend Development, Cloud Native Applications, Software Modernization, DevOps, Technical Leadership, System Design, NoSQL Databases, Relational Databases, Gaithersburg, Maryland, Scrum, SAFe, Agile, release train, scrum ceremonies,