Senior Software Engineer, Systems FDE

Key Responsibilities

• Integrate with Military Avionics Data Buses: Lead the on-site integration of our software with airborne and ground-based platforms by engineering data ingest and translation layers for MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 avionics buses.
• Implement Tactical Datalink Interfaces: Architect and deploy software interfaces to parse, transform, and route messages from tactical datalinks including Link 16 and Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), ensuring reliable machine-to-machine interoperability in contested environments.
• Enable Cursor-on-Target (CoT) Data Flows: Build and maintain robust CoT event pipelines that bridge platform sensor data into the broader C5ISR ecosystem, ensuring operational relevance and low-latency dissemination.
• Solve Problems in Real-Time: Act as the first line of technical defense, rapidly diagnosing and resolving software, protocol, and integration issues as they arise on operational platforms.
• Bridge the Gap: Translate the unique, edge-case operational realities you observe (e.g., non-standard bus configurations, latency-sensitive datalink traffic, platform-specific firmware constraints) into actionable technical requirements for the core product development team.

What You'll Need

• Clearance Requirement: Must hold an active TS/SCI clearance (U.S. Citizenship strictly required).
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, embedded systems engineering, or systems integration, including hands-on experience writing software that interfaces directly with military or aerospace data buses and protocols.
• 2+ years of technical experience working with avionics bus standards such as MIL-STD-1553 and/or ARINC 429, including message parsing, bus monitoring, and protocol-level debugging.
• Demonstrated experience with tactical datalink protocols (Link 16, SADL) and/or Cursor-on-Target (CoT) message formats.
• Highly adaptable, problem-solving mindset, with ability to navigate ambiguity, move fast, and balance immediate operational fixes with long-term technical fidelity.
• Strong communication skills to translate complex technical realities into actionable requirements.

Nice to Haves

• Direct experience with C5ISR system-of-systems architectures.
• Experience with real-time embedded operating systems and developing software under hard real-time constraints.
• Familiarity with flight test or operational test environments.
• Experience with software-defined radios (SDRs) or waveform development.
• Previous experience working directly with DoD platform program offices.
• Background in systems programming (e.g., C, C++, Rust).
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-461 (EMI/EMC) or DO-178C software assurance.