Flight Software Engineer, Distinguished

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. is seeking a Flight Software Engineer, Distinguished, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The position involves developing high-performance software solutions for various platforms, including aerospace and terrestrial applications. Responsibilities include mentoring junior engineers and managing a subset of engineering scope.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree and 10–15 years in Software Engineering, with strong expertise in C/C++. A government security clearance is required.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of experience in Software Engineering or a related field.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-performance, resilient, fault-tolerant software solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance.
• Prepare technical data, reports, and documentation.

Skills

Embedded software development

Real-time systems expertise

C/C++ programming

Problem-solving skills

UML/SysML knowledge

Hardware interface knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

JTAG debuggers

Software configuration management tools

Job description

Job Description Summary

Draper is seeking a highly skilled Flight Software Engineer, Distinguished, to join the Mission Software Architectures and Applications group. The engineer develops high‑performance, resilient, fault‑tolerant, real‑time, and highly reliable software solutions for resource‑constrained aerospace, undersea, terrestrial, air, hypersonics, and space platforms. The role covers the full mission‑critical software development life cycle and includes mentoring junior engineers.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Evaluate requirements, propose solutions, explore design trades, and support design decisions.
• Design algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques.
• Develop embedded software based on prototype algorithms.
• Analyze designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
• Develop and execute software tests to verify compliance with requirements.
• Evaluate results to identify root causes and devise solutions for inefficiencies or problems.
• Prepare technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other documentation.
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction, contributing to requirements development and architecture ideation.
• Take responsibility for a subset of engineering scope.
• Identify program/system‑level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent development and troubleshooting skills on embedded targets.
• Excellent knowledge of OS coding techniques, IP protocols, interfaces, and hardware subsystems.
• Expertise in software development for real‑time systems.
• Mastery of high‑level development languages (e.g., C/C++, Rust).
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Knowledge of software configuration management tools, defect tracking tools, and peer review processes.
• Excellent time‑management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with UML/SysML.
• Experience with in‑circuit emulators, JTAG debuggers, and laboratory test equipment.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
• 10–15 years of experience in Software Engineering or a related field.

Other Requirements

• Applicants selected will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [e-mail].