Senior Software Engineer

Ara; Fort Bragg (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates is seeking a Senior Software Engineer for a tactical software development role near Ft. Bragg, NC.

The position requires relocation or commuting and involves modern mobile/web platforms, geospatial mapping, and cloud/mesh environments in a secure agile SDLC. The candidate must have an active Secret clearance (TS/SCI within 30 days) and 10+ years in software development, with strong collaboration, communication, and ability to learn new domains in a high-stakes

Qualifications

• Active Secret Security Clearance required; TS/SCI must be pursued within 30 days of reporting for duty.
• BS degree in Computer Science or related field with substantial experience (10+ years) in software development.
• Ability to relocate/commute to Ft. Bragg, NC and work in a fast-paced, agile DoD environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop cutting-edge software applications for tactical DoD use.
• Contribute to technical design, documentation, and code development.
• Analyze, integrate third-party solutions, and create test plans and debugging procedures.
• Support configuration management and CI/CD workflows in an agile lifecycle.

Skills

Security clearance

Software development

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Git

Job description

Applied Research Associates is seeking a motivated Senior Software Engineer to join a growing multi-disciplinary team situated at the center of tactical software development for the US Special Operations community in Ft. Bragg, NC area (must relocate or commute). The Operator Tactical Intranet System (OTIS) team operates in an agile environment at the crossroads of R&D and an operational user base. This unique environment allows rapid development of cutting‑edge products which have an immediate impact on OTIS users and propagate across the DoW and the US Government at large.

Candidates must have an active Secret Security Clearance and must apply for a TS/SCI within 30 days of reporting for duty. This position supports the DoW agency, and the salary is competitive.

This role is contingent upon approval of your qualifications for the position by the government agency.

The Senior Software Engineer will lead and develop cutting‑edge applications in response to DoW's tactical requirements. The Senior Software Engineer must be productive individually, work well in a dynamic multi‑disciplinary team, and support Software Engineering practices to include technical design and documentation, code development, analysis and integration of third‑party solutions, test plans and debugging, and execution of configuration management. A secure yet agile Software Development Lifecycle will be used to deliver quality solutions for the following focus areas:

• Modern mobile and web platforms
• Geospatial and 3D mapping
• Communication and Situational Awareness
• Cloud and Mesh environments

Senior Software Engineer Required Experience & Skills

• BS degree in Computer Science, or a related field with at least 10 years of experience in software development including substantial recent experience in one or more high‑level programming languages
• Ability to systematically test and debug software
• Ability and desire to quickly learn new domains
• Security+ Certification, or ability to certify within 6 months of hire
• You will be working closely with a collaborative team so your team‑player personality and excellent written/oral communication skills will be essential

Preferred Experience & Skills as a Senior Software Engineer

• Experience with one or more of the following: Java/Kotlin, Android Development, C#/.NET, Node/Typescript
• Experience with ATAK plugin development
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to non‑technical team members
• Experience with agile software development and CI/CD workflows
• Familiarity with scripting and rapid prototyping (Python or similar)
• Familiarity with computer networking concepts
• Familiarity with API architectures (e.g. REST)
• Familiarity with Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) mapping concepts
• Familiarity with database management systems concepts
• Familiarity with virtualization or containerization (e.g. Docker/Kubernetes)
• Familiarity with DoD Information Assurance (IA) policy and procedures
• Practical experience in a Special Operations Forces (SOF) environment is preferred

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Computer Science or related field.

Experience

Required

10 years:

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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