Mission Software Engineer

Huntington Ingalls Industries; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Roanoke, VA, is seeking engineers to lead reverse engineering efforts and mentor juniors in a flipped engineering environment. The team focuses on microelectronics trust, formal verification, and hardware-software integration in a fast-moving setting. The role requires experience with OO languages (C++, Java, Python), FPGA tools, and EDA environments.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens eligible for DoD clearance and be able to communicate effectively within

Qualifications

• Level 2: 2 years relevant experience with a Bachelor's in related field.
• Level 3: 5 years relevant experience with Bachelor's; 3 years with Masters; 0 with PhD/JD; HS+9 years.
• Level 4: 9 years with Bachelor's; 7 with Masters; 4 with PhD/JD; HS+13 years.
• Level 5: 15 years with Bachelor's; 13 with Masters; 10 with PhD/JD; HS+19 years.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD clearance.
• Experience with C++, Java, Python (OO programming).
• Exposure to logic gates and Boolean math (AND, OR).
• Ability to learn quickly and collaborate on complex problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead reverse engineering efforts on existing systems and mentor junior engineers.
• Architect maintainable solutions and present clear results.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers and software teams; adapt algorithms for automation.
• Participate in code reviews and apply feedback to improve designs.

Skills

C++

Java

Python

Object‑Oriented Design

Logic Gates

FPGA Design

Software Reverse Engineering

Code Review

Tools

Quartus

Vivado

ISE

EDA Tools

Ghidra

Job description

Requisition Number: 29336

Required Travel: 0 - 10%

Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt

Anticipated Salary Range: $74,485.00 - $241,962.00

Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain

Level of Experience: Mid

This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems.

HII works within our nation’s intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners.

Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every employee grows, leads, and contributes—regardless of role. It sets the standard for how you can develop yourself and what you can expect from leaders across our organization. We look for candidates who want to grow in alignment with these capabilities:

• Know & Grow Your People – Commit to learning and supporting team success.
• Build Relationships – Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust.
• Take Ownership – Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work.
• Customer First – Focus on the mission and those we serve.
• Shape the Future – Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
• Act with Urgency – Take initiative and follow through with purpose.

These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies.

Job Description

Are you driven by curiosity, energized by complex challenges, and motivated to dissect the unknown? Join a cutting‑edge team where your expertise directly shapes mission outcomes and national security. We’re looking for engineers who excel at uncovering how systems work (and why), thrive in an environment where innovation moves fast and the stakes are high.

If you enjoy pushing boundaries, experimenting with new approaches, and delivering solutions that make a measurable impact — this is the role for you.

HII Mission Technologies (HII MT) is seeking talented engineers who are excited to work in a flipped engineering environment. Our team in Roanoke, VA specializes in reverse engineering and microelectronics trust and assurance. Candidates for this position will lead a team performing reverse engineering tasks on existing products and encoding discoveries directly into our codebase. Additional tasks involve the research, design, and development of innovative algorithms to automate challenging or time‑consuming tasks within the reverse engineering domain. Candidates will be exposed to and become proficient with a variety of technologies involving hardware description languages, embedded instruction architectures, high‑level software development languages, formal verification tools, and more.

The ideal candidate will have experience with object‑oriented design and an understanding of basic logic gates. We are particularly looking for candidates that have experience with FPGA design (Quartus, Vivado, ISE), embedded system design, EDA tools (synthesis, P&R, simulation), and/or microcontrollers. Experience with software reverse engineering is also valued in this position.

Level 2 salary range: 85,000-90,000

Level 3 salary range: 120,000-130,000

Level 4 salary range: 145,000-160,000

Level 5 salary range: 170,000-185,000

Candidates for this position will be responsible for leading reverse engineering efforts into systems of interest and mentoring junior engineers in the reverse engineering and development processes. Candidates will be expected to communicate clearly and effectively and demonstrate the ability to architect maintainable solutions to complex problems. Effective collaboration with teammates on the development of new ideas and accepting constructive feedback through the code review process is required. Candidates may also be expected to implement algorithms created by hardware engineers or from academic sources with limited documentation.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens and be willing and able to obtain a DoD security clearance (if not already cleared).

Minimum Qualifications

Level 2 : 2 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 0 years experience with Masters in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 6 years relevant experience.

Level 3: 5 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 3 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 0 years experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 9 years relevant experience.

Level 4: 9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 13 years relevant experience.

Level 5 : 15 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 13 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 10 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 19 years relevant experience.

• Are a United States citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DOD security clearance
• Have extensive experience with object‑oriented programming languages (C++, Java, Python)
• Have exposure to basic logic gates and Boolean math (AND, OR)
• Have the ability to learn new skills quickly

Preferred Requirements

• Already possess an active security clearance
• Have experience with modern C++ standards C++17) and STL
• Have experience with Python
• Can demonstrate the use of design patterns
• Familiarity with Verilog or VHDL
• Have experience with FPGA design software (Quartus, ISE, Vivado, etc.)
• Have experience with software reverse engineering (IDA Pro, Ghidra, Binary Ninja etc.)
• Are proficient with source control systems (git, svn, perforce, etc.)
• Have experience with the code review process
• Have experience with binary patching
• Have experience bypassing encryption schemes (power glitching, side channel attacks, etc.)
• Have published research regarding cybersecurity, software exploitation, or reverse engineering

The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.

We offer competitive benefits such as best‑in‑class medical, dental, and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post‑secondary education scholarships. Bonus/other non‑recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.