Associate Software Engineer (Backend)

Twenty is seeking an Associate Backend Engineer in its Arlington, VA office to help build the next generation of cyber technologies that protect democracies worldwide. We're looking for someone with 3+ years of experience in developing scalable applications, particularly using Golang, graph databases, and cloud-native technologies. In this role, you'll design and develop high-throughput systems that process real-time operational data, work with complex graph schemas, and create APIs that form the backbone of our cyber and electromagnetic capabilities. You'll join a world-class product and engineering team that delivers mission-critical solutions for U.S. national security, working in both cloud and on-premises environments to build systems that operate at machine speed. If you're passionate about solving complex technical challenges while making a direct impact on national security, we want to talk to you.

About the Company

At Twenty, we're taking on one of the most critical challenges of our time: defending democracies in the digital age. We develop revolutionary technologies that operate at the intersection of cyber and electromagnetic domains, where the speed of operations exceeds human sensing and complexity transcends conventional boundaries. Our team doesn't just solve problems – we deliver game-changing outcomes that directly impact national security. We're pragmatic optimists who understand that while our mission of protecting America and its allies is challenging, success is possible.

Role Details

• Design and implement scalable backend solutions using Go that enhance cyber operators' decision-making and response capabilities

• Develop high-performance APIs and services that process real-time operational data streams

• Build and optimize database schemas and queries using graph databases (Neo4j or similar) to support complex relationship mapping

• Implement event-driven architectures using NATS for real-time communication between system components

• Create and maintain automated testing suites to ensure system integrity and performance

• Design and implement microservices architectures deployed on AWS

• Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines that enable rapid, secure deployment of new capabilities

• Work closely with cyber operations experts to understand and implement features that enhance operator efficiency

• Collaborate with frontend teams to design efficient APIs and data structures

• Research and evaluate new technologies that could enhance our cyber operations capabilities

Qualifications

Technical Skills & Experience

• 3+ years of professional software development experience with backend or full-stack applications

• Strong proficiency in Go (Golang) backend development

• Experience with graph databases (Neo4j, AWS Neptune, or similar)

• Working knowledge of event-driven architectures and message queues

• Experience with cloud platforms, preferably AWS

• Experience with containerization and microservices architectures

• Understanding of API design and implementation (REST and/or GraphQL)

• Strong understanding of security best practices and secure coding principles

• Familiarity with database optimization and query performance tuning

• Experience with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience

Security Requirements

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance

Distinguishing Qualifications

• Track record of delivering technical solutions in defense, security, or mission-critical contexts

• Experience with AI/ML integration in operational systems

• Background in developing tools for cyber operators or security analysts

• Experience with large-scale data processing and analysis

• Contributions to open-source projects demonstrating relevant skills

Additional Skills

• Experience with Agile development methodologies

• Knowledge of distributed systems and scalability patterns

• Performance optimization experience

• Understanding of DevOps practices and infrastructure as code

• Familiarity with monitoring and observability tools

• Experience with automated testing frameworks