Principal Software Engineer

VTG; Maryland; On-site; USD 200,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

VTG seeks a Principal Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain mission-critical Command and Control software for embedded devices. You will build enterprise backend services in Java/C++, interface with databases, and collaborate across systems and hardware teams to meet performance targets.

The role emphasizes modern software architecture, containerization with Docker and Kubernetes, and implementing robust testing and automation to improve deployment and operations.

Qualifications

• TS/SCI with Poly is required.
• Bachelor degree in Computer Science or related field; four years of experience may substitute for a degree.
• 20 years of software engineering experience in programs/contracts of similar scope and complexity.
• Extensive experience designing, developing, integrating, testing, and maintaining enterprise software applications.
• Strong backend software development experience with Java and/or C++ in an enterprise environment.
• Experience interfacing software with relational or non-relational databases.
• Experience designing scalable, highly available software systems.
• Experience translating user requirements into software design and performance requirements.
• Experience debugging and resolving complex software defects.

Responsibilities

• Analyze requirements to derive software design, interfaces, and performance targets.
• Design, develop, integrate, test, deploy, and maintain mission-critical C2 software for embedded devices.
• Develop backend applications and services using Java and/or C++ and interface with databases.
• Work with embedded devices, vendor SDKs, and device drivers to implement business logic.
• Create automation scripts to improve development workflows and deployment processes.
• Contribute to scalable software architecture and system design principles.
• Collaborate with systems and hardware engineers to define software interfaces and requirements.

Skills

Java

C++

Docker

Kubernetes

Protobuf

RPC

Python

JavaScript

Vue.js

Databases

Backend development

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Protobuf

Job description

Overview

VTG is seeking a highly experienced

Overview

VTG is seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in support of a mission-focused customer responsible for developing, deploying, and maintaining user-facing Command and Control (C2) systems for embedded devices.

What will you do?

• Analyze user and mission requirements to derive software design, interface, and performance requirements.
• Design, develop, integrate, test, deploy, and maintain mission-critical Command and Control software systems.
• Develop enterprise backend applications and services, preferably using Java and/or C++.
• Interface with embedded devices, vendor-provided SDKs, and device drivers to implement custom business logic.
• Develop software components that communicate with databases and other enterprise systems.
• Implement data and object communication between programming layers using Google Protocol Buffers (Protobuf), RPC, or similar technologies.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and correct defects in existing software applications using programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, Vue.js, Python, and C++.
• Design and maintain scalable, highly available mission systems using modern software architecture and system design principles.
• Develop, build, and manage Docker containers and Kubernetes pods and clusters.
• Collaborate with systems engineers and hardware engineers to derive software requirements and understand system limitations, capabilities, performance requirements, and interfaces.
• Design, develop, and modify software systems using engineering analysis and modeling techniques to evaluate system performance and design outcomes.
• Develop and execute test procedures for software components.
• Create automation scripts to improve development workflows, deployment processes, and operational efficiency.
• Identify and recommend improvements to software development processes, technical documentation, and engineering standards.
• Support code reviews, troubleshooting activities, system integration, and technical problem resolution.

Do you have what it takes?

• TS/SCI with Poly required
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, or related discipline. May substitute four years' experience in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree.
• Twenty (20) years of experience as a Software Engineer supporting programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.
• Extensive experience designing, developing, integrating, testing, and maintaining enterprise software applications.
• Strong backend software development experience.
• Professional experience developing software using Java and/or C++ in an enterprise environment.
• Experience working with multiple programming languages and technology stacks.
• Experience interfacing software applications with relational or non-relational databases.
• Experience designing and supporting scalable, highly available software systems.
• Experience analyzing user requirements and translating them into software design and performance requirements.
• Experience debugging, troubleshooting, and resolving complex software defects.
• Experience collaborating with systems engineers, hardware engineers, and other technical teams to define software interfaces and system requirements.
• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and modern software engineering practices

VTG's estimated starting pay range is $200K-$275K annually, which is a general guideline for the geographic location. When extending an offer, VTG also considers work experience, education, skill level, market considerations and may possibly include contractual requirements which may cause an offer to fall outside of this range.