Principal Software Architect & Technical Leader

Curtiss-Wright Corporation; Frederick (MD); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with Employer Match and Profit Sh

Health and Wellness Benefits

Learning and Development Opportunities

Referral Program

Competitive Pay

Recognition

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Inclusive & Supportive Culture

Job summary

Curtiss-Wright is seeking a Principal Software Development Engineer in Frederick, MD to lead design, architecture, development and validation of complex software systems with broad autonomy. You will guide senior engineers, resolve critical issues, and influence product improvements across hardware and software teams.

This role emphasizes mentoring, documentation, and long-term software evolution in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive software development experience, including leadership of complex software programs.
• Expert-level proficiency in software architecture, design patterns, coding, debugging and advanced troubleshooting.
• Strong experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including hardware, systems and customer support.
• Proven ability to interface with customers to resolve issues and influence product improvements.
• Excellent written communication skills with experience creating user manuals, technical documentation and training materials.
• Strong mentoring, leadership and communication abilities with influence across multiple engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, architecture, coding, testing and debugging of complex software systems and major enhancements to existing applications, ensuring high reliability and performance.
• Diagnose and resolve the most complex software issues by collaborating with technical teams and applying expert-level troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Engage directly with customers to address high-impact software complaints, incorporate enhancement requests and guide modification strategies that improve product usability and performance.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive software documentation, including user manuals, technical references and release notes, ensuring clarity and compliance with organizational standards.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and training to less experienced software engineers and collaborate with hardware or cross-functional teams on integrated solutions.
• Understand how a power plant works and its components – desirable experience with TH codes – design, code, test, debug, and document software according to the functional requirements.
• Provide technical expertise across multiple areas of application development.
• Identify options for potential solutions and assess them for technical and business suitability.
• Proficiency in Fortran preferred.
• Can work independently with minimal supervision and lead/coordinate a team of people to execute project tasks.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and good written/verbal communication.
• A flexible approach and ability to adapt.

Skills

Leadership

Software architecture

Design patterns

Coding

Debugging

Troubleshooting

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer communication

Documentation

Analytical skills

English communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related field

Tools

Fortran

Job description

Curtiss-Wright is seeking a Principal Software Development Engineer in Frederick, MD to lead design, architecture, development and validation of complex software systems with broad autonomy. You will guide senior engineers, resolve critical issues, and influence product improvements across hardware and software teams.

This role emphasizes mentoring, documentation, and long-term software evolution in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential.