Principal Application Engineer Jobs in California

Position Summary

Avum is seeking a skilled Application Engineer to support the design, development, integration, and sustainment of enterprise software solutions for Federal and Department of Defense (DoD) customers. This individual will work within a collaborative, cross-functional team to build scalable, secure, and high-performing applications that deliver mission-focused solutions.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on software engineer with professional technical expertise, experience working in Agile environments, and the ability to contribute across the full software development lifecycle. This position requires someone who can troubleshoot technical challenges, support system integrations, and contribute to software modernization initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop & Maintain: Design, develop, test, and maintain enterprise software applications, services, APIs, and backend integrations supporting business and mission operations.
• Lifecycle Collaboration: Participate in all phases of the software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, design, development, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Team Alignment: Collaborate closely with product owners, business analysts, architects, and end users to understand requirements and implement effective technical solutions.
• Troubleshooting: Diagnose application issues, identify root causes, and implement efficient corrective actions.
• Quality & Standards: Participate in code reviews and adhere to established coding standards, design patterns, and secure coding principles to ensure performance, scalability, and maintainability.
• Modernization & Security: Assist with cloud-based/hybrid application environments, continuous improvement initiatives, and work alongside cybersecurity teams to ensure strict compliance with security requirements.
• Testing & Documentation: Support system testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and production deployments while developing clear technical documentation, design artifacts, and user guides.

Work Environment & Requirements

• Hybrid/remote work environment with potential on-site requirements based on contract needs
• U.S. citizenship required
• Security clearance: Active Secret clearance required or ability to obtain
• Background investigation required

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $105,000 – $135,000 annually, with a target midpoint of $120,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, certifications, and geographic location. Avum offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical (Cigna), dental and vision (Principal), 401(k), PTO, education reimbursement, and certification reimbursement.

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical through Cigna; Dental and Vision through Principal.
• Retirement Planning: 401(k) with 6% matching that vests immediately.
• Time Off: Paid Time Off (PTO) to refresh and recharge.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for technical development, education reimbursement, and certification reimbursement.
• Impactful Mission: Working alongside talented professionals supporting meaningful Federal and DoD missions in a remote-first culture that rewards dedication and innovation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Avum, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Avum is committed to compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, and maintains an active Affirmative Action Plan.

Required Qualifications

• Clearance & Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship with an active Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• Experience: 5+ years of professional software development experience.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered.
• Technical Skills: Experience developing enterprise applications using modern programming languages, frameworks, APIs, and web services.
• Methodology: Proven experience working within Agile development environments.
• Core Competencies: Strong analytical, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and written/verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) or Federal Government programs.
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks.
• Experience working with microservices architectures and containerized environments.
• Familiarity with DoD Procure-to-Pay business processes.