HPC Software Engineer

AV; Virginia; On-site; USD 125,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Job summary

AeroVironment in California-based operations seeks a Software Engineer to develop, integrate, and sustain system-management software for Linux HPC environments. You will build scalable services supporting provisioning, monitoring, security, and day-to-day ops, collaborating with systems, cybersecurity, and DevOps teams.

You will implement automation with Python, Bash, and Rust, create containerized services with Docker/Podman/containerd, and drive CI/CD with GitLab CI and Jenkins in a

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field with 5+ years experience, or a Bachelor’s with 7+ years, or 9+ years of experience as Software Engineer.
• Experience using Linux CLI and standard Linux tools.
• Proficiency developing Bash and/or Python scripts to automate tasks.
• Develop software in Linux using Python and/or Rust.
• Experience with containerization (Docker/Podman/containerd).
• Experience using Ansible for orchestration of deployment and config.
• Experience troubleshooting software and automation in ops environments.
• Experience applying CI/CD with GitLab CI and Jenkins.
• Experience using Git for source control and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, test, deploy, and maintain system-management software for Linux HPC environments.
• Develop software using Python and Rust.
• Automate provisioning, configuration, administration, and sustainment of HPC systems.
• Write Bash and Python scripts for automation tasks and deployments.
• Create interfaces enabling communication among HPC components and tools.
• Build scalable, secure, and reliable HPC services.
• Develop containerized apps with Docker/Podman/containerd.
• Create runtime configurations and manage dependencies for containers.
• Use Ansible to orchestrate deployment and configuration.
• Develop reusable automation roles and playbooks to improve consistency.
• Implement CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI and Jenkins.
• Automate builds, testing, packaging, and deployment.
• Use Git for source control and collaboration.

Skills

Python

Rust

Bash scripting

Linux

Docker

Podman

containerd

Ansible

Git

GitLab CI

Jenkins

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

Podman

containerd

Ansible

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

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

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.

Benefits

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.

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.

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

ITAR Requirement

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 section 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

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.

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