Mission-Critical Defense Software Engineer - Secret Clearance

American Systems Corporation; California (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is seeking a Software Engineer/Developer for the NAVAIR program. You will collaborate with professionals to deliver mission-critical software, ensuring compliance with airworthiness standards and providing technical oversight for software development and integration.

The role involves supporting Formal Qualification Testing (FQT), interfacing with NAVAIR and contractors, and reviewing artifacts such as SRS, SDD, SAD, SDP, and STP.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship.
• Technical 4-year degree and 1+ year of software engineering experience.
• Experience in software requirements, design, integration, and testing.
• Knowledge of avionics/software and related design attributes (highly desired).

Responsibilities

• Provide software development and acquisition support for the PMA-268 Stingray MQ-25A program.
• Review and comment on SRS, SDD, SAD, SDP, and STP artifacts.
• Serve as Government witness for FQT and travel to contractor facilities.
• Provide technical oversight into software development plans and PI priority workloads.
• Interface with NAVAIR, prime contractors, and other government activities.
• Identify blockers and drive process improvements in the software lifecycle.

Skills

Software engineering

DoD Secret clearance

Communication skills

Security clearance (DoD)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Job description

Overview

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is an employee-owned federal government contractor supporting national priority programs through our strategic solutions in Information Technology, Test & Evaluation, Engineering & Analysis, and Training.

As our next Software Engineer/ developer forNAVAIR,you'll collaborate with talented professionals to create innovative, mission-critical solutions that empower naval aviation and defense operations. Your expertise will help shape cutting-edge systems, enhance national security, and drive technological advancement for our nation.

Responsibilities

The Software Systems Engineer will provide direct engineering, acquisition, and test & evaluation (T&E) support for the PMA-268 Stingray MQ-25A program. Serving as a key technical interface between NAVAIR, prime contractors, and other government activities, this role focuses on providing technical oversight for software development, system integration, and support Formal Qualification Testing (FQT). The successful candidate will deliver optimized technical solutions within cost, schedule, and technology constraints while ensuring compliance with stringent system requirements and airworthiness standards.

Key Responsibilities

Software Development & Acquisition Support:

• Track software execution across Computer Software Configuration Items (CSCIs), analyze development metrics, and actively identify and elevate technical blockers to software development and test program leadership.
• Assist Senior Leads with technical evaluations of vendor proposals and draft engineering inputs for future Statements of Work (SOWs) and contracts.
• Provide technical oversight into the Program Increment (PI) priority workloads and evaluate contractor-proposed changes to processes and Software Development Plans (SDPs).
• The incumbent serves as a representative for NAVAIR, interfacing with headquarters, contractors, and other government activities involved in the program.

Technical Documentation Review:

• Conduct deep-dive engineering reviews of vendor deliverables to ensure compliance with system requirements and Airworthiness standards.
• Provide meaningful technical comments on complex artifacts, including Software Requirements Specifications (SRS), Software Design Descriptions (SDD), Software Architecture Descriptions (SAD), Software Development Plans (SDP), and Software Test Plans (STP).

Software Test Support:

• Serve as the designated Government witness and Quality Assurance (QA) representation for Formal Qualification Testing (FQT), requiring travel to contractor facilities.
• Assess vendor readiness to execute FQT by verifying test procedure completion and tracking the resolution of Problem Reports (PRs).

Defect Analysis & Process Improvement:

• Provide technical analysis during multi-party Problem Report Review Boards (PRRBs), System Safety Working Groups, and Risk Boards. Support Software Safety Program Level of Rigor (LOR) assessments.
• Evaluate engineering workflows to identify and implement technical process improvements within the software development lifecycle, test execution, and defect tracking processes.

General Day-to-Day tasks:

Providing direct systems engineering/scientific support to and advise on engineering requirements, technical issues, and risks related to software development.

Providing technical oversight and support strategic software planning.

Serving as a hardware/software technical interface to Computer Scientist/engineering community on related software engineering activities and issues.

Providing real-time access to SMEs for problem assessment and resolution.

Providing software engineering technical support and representation at working groups.

Providing technical oversight into the Program Increment (PI) priority workloads.

Providing concurrence, if applicable, on contractor proposed changes to processes and Software (SW) development plans.

Qualifications

• Must have an active DoW Secret clearance, must be a U.S. citizen.
• Technical 4-yr degree and 1+ years of experience (see below).
• Experience in engineering or computer science with an emphasis on software engineering/development of software systems.
• Experience in software requirements allocation, design, software process management, open architecture principles, software integration and test.
• Knowledge of processes for software system design, test and interoperability, planning and management.
• Knowledge of military avionics systems, components and software and related design attributes. (highly desired)
• Knowledge of systems engineering procedures, processes, practices and tools as related to Avionics and Weapons systems and technology. (highly desired)
• Proven ability to effectively communicate at all levels within an organization, with effective interpersonal skills and an ability to resolve conflicting views and information.

EEO Statement

EEO Race/Sex/Disability Status/Veteran Status