Senior C++ Network Engineer

Metrea; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

HSA/FSA

Dental & vision

401(k) match

Parental leave

Generous PTO

Life & disability

AD&D coverage

Pet insurance

EAP

Gym membership

Job summary

Metrea is seeking a Senior C++ network engineer to join our Digital and Synthetic team in Washington, DC or Tampa, FL on a hybrid basis. You will design and develop simulation systems, ensure real-time performance, and integrate across APIs and messaging layers in a multidisciplinary environment.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years of C++ programming, experience with distributed simulations (HLA/DIS), and a proven ability to troubleshoot across multiple systems while communicating clearly with

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional C++ programming.
• Experience with distributed simulations and real-time systems.
• Engineering degree required; strong CS fundamentals.
• Experience integrating systems via APIs or messaging.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for distributed teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop simulation endpoints, tools, and hardware.
• Ensure realistic agent behavior and real-time, responsive interactions.
• Review designs and code from colleagues.
• Collaborate in a multidisciplinary, independent, and communicative team.

Skills

C++ development

Distributed systems

Real-time simulations

HLA/DIS

APIs & middleware

Interoperability

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Group Overview

This role sits within the Digital and Synthetic area of Metrea. The D&S is committed to providing mission-driven information solutions that seamlessly bridge the digital and physical realms. Leveraging cutting edge technologies and advanced platforms, we empower operational readiness and elevate situational awareness across diverse domains---including air, maritime, and space.

Position Summary

Metrea is looking for a Senior C++ network engineer to join our team and help build our core simulation platform. In this role, you will develop systems that simulate military aircraft and large-scale exercises. You will work closely with our experts in aerospace and simulation to develop an immersive world with realistic agent behavior and real-time, responsive interactions. If you are looking forward to solving hard technical problems and can delve deep into the underlying codebase while keeping stability and performance in mind, we will be a good match for you. This role will require you to be a team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment and expects you to be communicative and independent. You should be motivated to find creative and scalable solutions for complex problems.

What You'll Do

• You will design and develop systems for all simulation endpoints, tools, and hardware to share a common, immersive world
• You will work closely with our experts in aerospace and simulation to ensure realistic agent behavior, working integrations, and real-time, responsive interactions
• You will find creative and scalable solutions for complex problems
• You will be responsible for reviewing designs and code from colleagues
• You will work in an independent and communicative way within a multidisciplinary environment

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience in C++ software development
• Experience designing and implementing distributed systems
• Experience developing networked real-time applications, simulations, or games
• Proven experience with distributed simulation standards such as HLA or DIS
• Experience integrating systems through APIs, messaging systems, or middleware
• Curiosity for complex interoperability challenges
• A pragmatic mindset, strong problem-solving, and the ability to troubleshoot issues spanning multiple systems
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate in a distributed set-up across technical and organizational boundaries

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Background in any related field (e.g., Military, Aerospace, Software, Engineering, Physics, Math)
• Experience working in large-scale synthetic environments or constructive simulations
• Engineering degree
• 5+ years of professional C++ programming

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plan options
• HSA/FSA accounts
• Dental and vision coverage
• 6% employer 401(k) match
• Fully paid parental leave for all new parents
• Generous PTO
• Life and disability insurance
• Long-term and Short-term disability coverage
• AD&D Coverage
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsided gym membership / plans through Wellhub

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

The employee must be a US citizen.

This position requires eligibility to obtain a Secret clearance. Candidates will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with federal requirements.

AAP/EEO Statement

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs.

Work Environment

Washington D.C. or Tampa, FL. This position is available on a hybrid working basis.

Travel

This role may require occasional travel to other Metrea offices.

Base Pay Range

Base Pay RangeThe compensation range shown below is a good faith estimate and reflects the expected base pay for this position upon hire. This is just one component of Metrea's overall approach to total rewards and final compensation decisions, including the ultimate salary or hourly rate agreed upon, may vary depending on factors such as job location, job-specific knowledge, skills, experience, and the overall negotiated compensation package. Eligible full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, wellbeing, and long-term success.

Pay Range: $140,000 USD - $200,000 USD

Our Firmware

At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.

Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.