Lead Software Engineer Software

Frontdoor Defense; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Frontdoor Defense seeks a Lead GPU Software Engineer in Dayton, OH to design and optimize real-time GPU software for RF sensor systems. You will translate MATLAB/Python algorithms into high-performance C/C++ and implement CUDA-based pipelines across embedded and distributed platforms.

Ideal candidates have strong real-time, Linux, and multithreading skills, plus experience with signal processing and collaboration in multi-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in GPU programming and optimization (CUDA)
• Strong proficiency in high-performance C/C++ for real-time apps
• Experience with Linux and embedded systems
• Knowledge of real-time signal processing and multithreaded programming
• Familiarity with version control (Git) and collaborative development

Responsibilities

• Design and implement real-time software components for RF sensor signal processing
• Develop and optimize GPU-accelerated algorithms using CUDA
• Translate MATLAB/Python algorithms into efficient C/C++ code
• Architect software components to open architecture standards
• Integrate and optimize code for real-time performance on multi-core CPUs/GPUs
• Develop tests, benchmarks, and documentation
• Collaborate with algorithm developers and hardware engineers
• Support travel for integration events and customer meetings

Skills

CUDA

C/C++

Real-time systems

Multithreading

Linux

Signal processing

Git

Technical writing

Communication skills

Education

PhD or MS or BS in Computer Science/Engineering

Job description

Lead GPU Software Engineer

Lead real-time GPU software projects for RF sensor systems

Location: Dayton, Ohio

Compensation: $157,000 - 223,000 USD / year

About The Role

Lead Gpu Software Engineer

Dayton, OH

About The Team:

The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems, particularly in the areas of airborne/surface-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing. Within this role, we perform work on full system prototypes, experiment campaigns and technology component development. Development roles within the Sensors Division include RF analog/digital hardware, acoustic hardware, signal processing algorithms, machine learning algorithms, tracking/fusion, as well as real-time embedded processor implementation.

Within the Sensors Division, the Real-time Architectures, Integration and Demonstration (RAID) Group focuses on transition of algorithms from concept to real-time software, providing open architecture expertise, and facilitating integration of capabilities for experimentation, test, and deployment.

The Role:

The RAID Group is seeking a Lead Software Engineer with demonstrated expertise in GPU programming and optimization to design, develop, and implement real-time software for RF sensor systems compliant with open architecture standards. You will work as part of focused teams to transition advanced signal processing algorithms from research prototypes into production-quality software for embedded and distributed computing platforms. You will be responsible for architecting software components, implementing real-time processing pipelines, and optimizing performance for resource-constrained systems.

A successful candidate will have experience developing high-performance C/C++ software for sensor systems. Strong understanding of real-time systems, multithreaded programming, and signal processing are essential. Experience with open architecture frameworks and standards is highly desired. Strong technical, interpersonal, and communication skills are important for working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams.

What You Will Do:

• Design and implement real-time software components for RF sensor signal processing systems
• Develop and optimize GPU-accelerated algorithms for signal processing pipelines using CUDA
• Translate algorithm specifications (MATLAB, Python) into optimized C/C++ implementations
• Architect software components compliant with open architecture standards
• Integrate and optimize code for real-time performance on multi-core CPUs and GPUs with strict latency requirements
• Develop unit tests, integration tests, and performance benchmarks; promote testing best practices
• Document software designs, APIs, implementation details, and technical reports
• Contribute to briefings and presentations for program reviews and customer meetings
• Collaborate with algorithm developers, systems engineers, RF hardware engineers, and integration teams across programs
• Contribute to proposal development efforts including technical approach
• Perform peer reviews and suggest next steps for technical work
• Support approximately 20% travel for integration events, customer meetings, and field demonstrations

Who You Are:

• Ability to obtain and retain a Secret Security Clearance, for which U.S Citizenship is needed by the U.S government
• PhD + 2 years, MS + 5 years, or BS + 7 years in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Experience with GPU programming and optimization (CUDA)
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for high-performance, real-time applications
• Experience with Linux and embedded systems development
• Experience with real-time signal processing
• Experience with multithreaded programming, thread safety, and synchronization
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development practices
• Good technical writing and communication skills

Even Better:

• Active Security Clearance at the Secret or Top Secret level (strongly preferred due to clearance processing time)
• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for algorithm prototyping
• Experience with open architecture standards and frameworks
• Understanding of RF signal processing concepts
• Familiarity with containerization, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices
• Prior contributions to proposal development and technical writing

Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $157,000 - $223,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.