Principal Software Engineer / Technical Lead – Full-Stack Cloud & AI Systems
Principal Software Engineer / Technical Lead – Full-Stack Cloud & AI SystemsLocation: Remote – U.S. Based (1st week in Maryland) Company: International Responder Systems (IRS) Employment Type: Full-Time🌍 About UsInternational Responder Systems builds advanced cloud platforms that empower emergency response, grant management, and situational coordination for public-sector agencies and humanitarian organizations. Our software helps responders act faster, collaborate smarter, and make data-driven decisions during moments that matter most.We blend modern full-stack engineering, AI/ML, and secure, scalable cloud architecture to deliver real-time intelligence and mission-critical resilience.🚀 The RoleWe’re looking for a Principal Software Engineer / Technical Lead who’s equally passionate about writing clean, production-grade code and designing the scalable architectures behind it. You’ll lead core engineering initiatives across multiple SaaS platforms — from API design and data architecture to performance optimization and DevOps automation.This is a hands-on, high-impact role: you’ll architect systems, build them yourself, and shape the technical roadmap that supports the company’s growth and mission.🔧 What You’ll Do1. End-to-End Software EngineeringDesign, code, and ship production-ready features across the full stack (React, Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL).Develop modular, scalable APIs and backend services that power multi-tenant SaaS applications.Implement elegant, performant front-end interfaces for complex operational workflows.Write efficient, maintainable code with strong focus on testing, observability, and performance.2. System Architecture & ScalabilityLead architectural design for distributed, event-driven, and data-intensive systems.Drive scalability and reliability across all layers of the stack — from database design to cloud infrastructure.Implement advanced RBAC and access-control models for secure, multi-organization environments.Plan and evolve system topology and data partitioning strategies for long-term growth.Optimize performance under heavy concurrency and real-time data loads.3. Cloud Infrastructure & DevOpsArchitect, automate, and maintain AWS-based environments (ECS/EKS, S3, Lambda, CloudFront).Implement CI/CD pipelines for automated testing, deployment, and rollback.Ensure high availability, fault tolerance, and proactive monitoring using modern observability stacks.Manage containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes) and Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform).4. Data & AI EnablementDesign data pipelines and real-time processing flows to support predictive analytics and AI models.Build clean, consistent APIs to expose structured operational and analytical data.Collaborate with data scientists to integrate AI/ML models into production environments (Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch).Ensure data reliability, versioning, and lineage across all systems.5. Leadership & CollaborationMentor engineers through code reviews, pair programming, and architectural discussions.Lead by example — writing elegant, production-ready code while defining standards for the entire team.Partner with product and design teams to transform ideas into technically sound, user-centric features.Contribute to the company’s long-term technical strategy, infrastructure roadmap, and innovation pipeline.🧠 What You Bring10+ years of hands-on software development experience across front-end, back-end, and cloud environments.Deep expertise in Python, Node.js, TypeScript/JavaScript, and SQL/PostgreSQL.Strong background in scalable software architecture, microservices, and API design.Proven success building and scaling multi-tenant SaaS platforms.Experience with AWS Cloud (ECS/EKS, Lambda, S3, RDS, CloudFront) and DevOps pipelines.Solid understanding of security best practices, RBAC, and data protection principles.Familiarity with geospatial/mapping systems (ArcGIS, QGIS, or Leaflet) is a plus.Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance speed, quality, and maintainability.➕ Preferred QualificationsExperience with AI/ML model deployment and real-time data streaming (Kafka, Spark).Familiarity with Terraform, CloudFormation, and Kubernetes orchestration.Knowledge of compliance frameworks (HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP).Interest in public safety, crisis management, or GovTech platforms.Contributions to open-source or developer community projects.💡 Why Join UsBuild mission-critical software that supports first responders and humanitarian missions.Lead with autonomy — your architectural decisions directly shape the platform’s evolution.Collaborate with an elite, purpose-driven team that values quality over bureaucracy.Competitive compensation, long-term growth, and the satisfaction of building technology that saves lives.