HPC Software Engineer

AeroVironment; Jessup (MD); On-site; USD 125,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K with company match

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in Jessup, MD is seeking a hands-on Software Engineer to build and maintain system-management software for HPC environments on Linux. You will develop automation, enable provisioning and configuration, and support monitoring, security, and day-to-day operations.

You will work closely with systems engineers, DevOps, and cybersecurity teams to deliver scalable, reliable services. Strong scripting in Python/Bash and experience with containers and CI/CD are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience with Linux command-line interface and Linux tools.
• Proficiency in Bash and Python scripting for automation.
• Experience with Python and Rust for software development.
• Proficiency with containerization (Docker/Podman/containerd).
• Experience with Ansible for deployment orchestration.
• Experience applying CI/CD (GitLab CI/Jenkins).
• Experience using Git for source control.
• Ability to develop, test, document, deploy, and sustain software in mission-focused environments.
• Strong collaboration with software, systems, infra and cybersecurity teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, test, deploy, and maintain system-management software for Linux HPC environments.
• Develop scripts in Python and Bash to automate tasks and operations.
• Create containerized apps using Docker/Podman/containerd and manage runtimes.
• Develop CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI and Jenkins.
• Automate builds, tests, packaging, and deployment activities.
• Collaborate with systems engineers and cybersecurity personnel throughout lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot and debug in development, test, and production environments.
• Document architecture, interfaces, dependencies, and troubleshooting steps.

Skills

Linux CLI

Bash

Python

Rust

CI/CD

Git

Troubleshooting

Automation

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Nine years of Software Engineer experience

Tools

Docker

Podman

containerd

Ansible

GitLab CI

Jenkins

Job description

Jessup, MD

Annapolis Junction, MD

Full time

9232

Worker Type

Regular

AV is seeking a Software Engineer to support an overarching project responsible for developing, integrating, and maintaining system-management infrastructure software and services for High Performance Computing (HPC) systems in a Linux environment.

This is a hands‑on software engineering role focused on building reliable, scalable, and maintainable services that support the provisioning, configuration, monitoring, security, and day‑to‑day operation of HPC environments. The successful candidate will develop software and automation solutions, integrate services across complex infrastructure environments, troubleshoot operational issues, and contribute to the continuous improvement of HPC system‑management capabilities.

The Software Engineer will work closely with systems engineers, infrastructure administrators, cybersecurity professionals, DevOps personnel, and other project stakeholders to deliver software solutions throughout the development and operational lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, test, deploy, and maintain system‑management software and services supporting Linux‑based HPC environments.

• Develop software solutions using programming languages such as Python and Rust.

• Build tools and services that automate the provisioning, configuration, administration, and sustainment of HPC systems.

• Develop Bash and Python scripts to automate repetitive tasks, system operations, software deployment, testing, and infrastructure‑management processes.

• Design and implement software interfaces and services that enable communication among HPC infrastructure components, management platforms, and operational tools.

• Develop scalable and maintainable solutions that support the availability, performance, security, and operational efficiency of HPC systems.

• Create and maintain containerized applications and services using technologies such as Docker, Podman, and containerd.

• Develop container images, define runtime configurations, manage dependencies, and support the deployment of containerized workloads.

• Use automation frameworks such as Ansible to orchestrate software deployment, system configuration, service updates, and environment standardization.

• Develop reusable automation roles, playbooks, and supporting documentation to improve deployment consistency and reduce manual operations.

• Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines using tools and practices such as GitLab CI and Jenkins.

• Automate software builds, unit testing, integration testing, security checks, packaging, and deployment activities.

• Use Git for source‑code management, branching, collaboration, code review, and release management.

• Troubleshoot and debug software, services, and automation in development, test, and operational environments.

• Analyze logs, system behavior, application output, and performance data to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

• Support software releases, upgrades, patches, configuration changes, and sustainment activities in operational systems.

• Develop and execute unit, integration, regression, and system‑level tests to verify software functionality and reliability.

• Participate in code reviews and contribute to software‑development standards, coding practices, design reviews, and technical documentation.

• Document software architecture, interfaces, dependencies, installation procedures, configuration requirements, operational procedures, and troubleshooting steps.

• Collaborate with project stakeholders to gather requirements, define technical solutions, estimate development activities, and track work through completion.

• Support incident response, defect resolution, and continuous‑improvement activities for deployed system‑management capabilities.

• Identify opportunities to improve automation, observability, scalability, maintainability, and operational resilience across the HPC environment.

• Work effectively in a fast‑paced, mission‑focused environment and adapt to evolving technical requirements and architectural approaches.

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.

• One of the following education and experience combinations:

• Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus five (5) years of experience as a Software Engineer supporting programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity; or

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus seven (7) years of experience as a Software Engineer supporting programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity; or

• Nine (9) years of experience as a Software Engineer supporting programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.

• Experience using the Linux command‑line interface and standard Linux tools.

• Demonstrated proficiency developing Bash and/or Python scripts to automate tasks and processes.

• Experience developing software solutions in a Linux environment using programming languages such as Python and/or Rust.

• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker, Podman, or containerd.

• Experience using automation frameworks, including Ansible, to orchestrate software deployment and system configuration.

• Experience troubleshooting and debugging software, services, and automation in operational environments.

• Experience applying CI/CD principles, methodologies, and tools such as GitLab CI and Jenkins.

• Experience using Git for source‑code management and collaborative software development.

• Ability to develop, test, document, deploy, and sustain software in a mission‑focused environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively with software, systems, infrastructure, and cybersecurity engineering teams.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools such as NetBox.

• Familiarity with observability, monitoring, logging, and analytics platforms such as Splunk.

• Familiarity with Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions such as Keycloak.

• Familiarity with secret‑management tools such as HashiCorp Vault.

• Experience with the Atlassian tool suite, including Jira and Confluence.

• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodologies.

• Experience developing and operating software for HPC, distributed‑computing, cloud, or large‑scale Linux environments.

• Experience with infrastructure automation, configuration management, and immutable or repeatable deployment practices.

• Experience developing secure software and integrating authentication, authorization, secrets management, and certificate‑based services.

• Experience with software performance optimization, service reliability, and operational observability.

Salary Range: $125,000-$220,000

The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract‑specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.

Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees’ total well‑being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine‑launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand‑launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real‑time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission‑obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)