Senior Software Engineer

SubSeaSail®, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A maritime technology firm based in San Diego is looking for a Senior Software Engineer to design, develop, and deploy critical software for autonomous platforms. The role requires collaboration across teams and on-water testing, ideally suited for candidates with a background in C/C++ and sailing experience. If you have 5+ years of professional software engineering experience in real-world applications and a commitment to safety in marine environments, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Join us to revolutionize human interaction with the ocean.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of software engineering experience in real-world systems.
• Ability to participate safely in on-water testing.
• Familiarity with hardware/software integration.

Responsibilities

• Design and test autonomy control software.
• Support hardware integration and bring-up.
• Participate in sea trials and troubleshooting.

Skills

C/C++ proficiency on Linux

Mission logic implementation

System health monitoring

Effective multidisciplinary collaboration

Sailboat experience

Ability to swim

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant field

Tools

Embedded Linux

C#

Job description

SubSeaSail®, Inc. (SSS) is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design, develop, test, and deploy mission‑critical software for autonomous maritime platforms that will help revolutionize human interaction with the ocean. This hands‑on role spans embedded Linux, autonomy/robotics controls, and distributed multi‑vehicle coordination, with regular on‑water testing primarily in San Diego.

What You’ll Do

• Design, implement, test, and deploy autonomy and robotics control software for sailing AUSVs
• Translate operational sailing experience into autonomy behaviors, mission logic, and fault‑handling strategies
• Develop embedded Linux software in C/C++ for vehicle systems, sensors, and peripherals
• Support hardware bring‑up: device tree configuration, driver interaction, and peripheral integration in collaboration with firmware/electrical teams
• Implement mission logic, state machines, health monitoring, and telemetry
• Build and integrate multi‑vehicle / mesh‑coordinated behaviors (task sharing, resilient data exchange)
• Develop application‑level and tooling software in C# to support integration, operations, and test
• Participate in sea trials and fault investigations; drive software improvements based on field results
• Create and maintain test plans, validation procedures, and deployment workflows
• Provide technical guidance through code reviews and collaboration with junior engineers

Education & Experience Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field or equivalent practical experience.

Experience

• 5–8+ years of professional software engineering experience delivering reliable software in real‑world systems (senior‑level scope).
• Typical equivalency used in similar roles: 5+ yrs with BS, 4+ yrs with MS, or 2+ yrs with PhD (or equivalent experience).

Required Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in C/C++ on Linux / embedded Linux, including debugging and performance troubleshooting
• Experience implementing mission logic, state machines, fault handling, and system health monitoring
• Experience working across hardware/software boundaries (drivers/peripherals integration, bring‑up support)
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams (Firmware, Electrical, Controls, Systems, Product)
• Sailboat sailing experience (required) and ability to participate safely in on‑water testing
• Ability to swim (required)
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and responsible operations in marine environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with autonomy/robotics systems (mission planning, navigation, control, sensing pipelines)
• Distributed systems, mesh networking, multi‑agent coordination, or resilient communications
• Experience building operational tooling in C#
• Field testing experience (marine, aerospace, robotics, or other real‑world test environments)

GovCon / DoD Requirements

• Security clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (non‑U.S. citizens generally do not qualify; limited access authorizations may be available in narrow circumstances).
• Export control: Must be a U.S. person as defined in 22 CFR §120.62 due to export‑controlled technical data.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• On‑site engineering environment with regular on‑water testing (Mission Bay / offshore San Diego)
• PPE as required; comfort working near/around water and marine environments
• Occasional early/late hours or weekends during tests or sea trials (as mission schedules require)

GovCon & DCAA Timekeeping Expectations

• Record all hours worked daily and charge time to the correct project/WBS; no off‑the‑clock work
• Submit and sign timesheets daily; prompt supervisor approvals and documented corrections
• Adhere to company and customer security, safety, and ethics policies (training provided)

Employment Conditions

• Employment eligibility verification (Form I‑9) required; background screening may be conducted
• This is an at‑will position; job duties may evolve with program needs

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

SubSeaSail®, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail].

How to Apply

Send your resume (and a brief note highlighting relevant embedded/autonomy experience and sailing background) to [e-mail] with subject: "Senior Software Engineer – San Diego".

No agencies, please.