Backend Software Engineer — Distribution

PF004 - Backend Software Engineer — Distribution

2 Openings

Full-time

5 days in-office in Washington, DC

Industry

AI, Logistics, Defense, Government

Tech stack

Go, Distributed Systems, Event-Driven Architecture, APIs, Messaging Systems, Cloud Infrastructure, PostgreSQL, OR-Tools, Gurobi

Description

We are looking for a Backend Software Engineer with 7+ years of experience to design and build the production systems that determine how supplies, equipment, and critical resources move through complex military logistics networks. You'll join a fast-moving defense tech startup that just closed a $40M Series A and is embedded directly with U.S. military units — building software that replaces whiteboards and magnets with a real-time AI-enabled logistics platform.

Must-Haves

• Recently built and owned backend systems that move goods or vehicles:​ dispatch,​ routing,​ fleet assignment,​ shipment execution or tracking,​ last-​mile or freight movement (current or most recent role)
• 2 -​ 8 years of experience in backend/distributed systems engineering,​ ideally in Go
• Owned production-​grade distributed systems end-​to-​end — architecture through deployment and operations
• Experience at a fast-​moving startup or high-​velocity product company (not purely Big Tech or legacy defense contractors)
• BS in Computer Science,​ Engineering,​ or equivalent
• Strong proficiency in Go,​ C++,​ Java,​ or Rust (Go strongly preferred as primary production language)
• Distributed systems expertise:​ service architecture,​ async messaging,​ event-​driven systems,​ state reconciliation
• U.​S.​ Citizen or able to obtain security clearance

What will you be doing?

• Own the architecture and development of backend services powering distribution capabilities across TyrOS — including routing, dispatch, shipment execution, and dynamic replanning
• Translate real-world military logistics workflows into durable domain models, APIs, and event-driven systems in Go
• Build systems that reconcile inventory, demand, transportation capacity, and operational constraints across distributed networks — even in degraded or contested environments
• Integrate optimization and planning capabilities into operational software, turning algorithmic recommendations into reliable, executable workflows
• Partner directly with military users and domain experts to identify high-leverage problems and convert ambiguous requirements into scalable software

Key Requirements

• 7+ years of backend or distributed systems engineering experience with substantial ownership of production-grade software
• Demonstrated experience building production systems in logistics, transportation, fulfillment, routing, dispatch, supply chain, or a similarly complex operational domain
• Strong programming skills in Go, C++, Java, Rust, or another performant language
• Deep understanding of distributed systems concepts — service architecture, async processing, messaging, state management, and failure handling
• Ability to independently lead complex technical projects from ambiguous problem definition through deployment and production operation

Why candidates should join

• Just closed a $40M Series A and tripled in size since January 2025. Hit their annual sales goal seven months early — real traction with real revenue.
• Deeply embedded with the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force. This isn't speculative defense tech — they're already deployed and shipping product to active military users.
• Founded in 2024 and already ~49 people. You'd be joining at a stage where early engineers have massive ownership and influence over architecture and product direction.
• Comp range of $150K–$220K base plus highly competitive equity grants. Benefits include 100% employer-paid medical/dental/vision premiums, 401(k), flexible PTO, and a December holiday shutdown.
• Non-siloed, deeply collaborative culture where engineers can go in any direction — from backend architecture to visiting army bases and talking directly with end users.

About Rune Technologies

Rune Technologies builds mission-critical software for military logistics and sustainment. Founded in 2024, Rune combines elite Silicon Valley software expertise with deep operational experience working in and with the Department of Defense to solve the most critical sustainment and logistics challenges faced by the U.S. military and its allies in contested environments.

Rune's flagship product, TyrOS, is an AI-enabled logistics command and control platform that replaces the U.S. military's antiquated logistics systems — literally whiteboards with tile magnets — with modern software that gives commanders a single, real-time operating picture of their sustainment fight. The company is deeply embedded in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

Rune is not a traditional defense contractor. It's a small, fast-moving team that stays close to users by embedding directly with military units during exercises and rotations, shipping constantly based on what they learn in the field. The company tripled in size since January 2025, hit its annual sales goal seven months early, and recently closed a $40M Series A round.

Mission

To support and enable the military logistics and sustainment communities with software to meet needs for the next fight.

Culture

Rune operates as a completely non-competitive, deeply collaborative workplace with no silos. Team members are encouraged to go in any direction they want — from backend architecture to visiting army bases to talk directly with clients. The company values agency, speed, and staying close to the mission.