Senior Software Engineer Lead and Architect

RKF Engineering Solutions, LLC (DBA Auria); Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Flexible scheduling

401(k) Match

Education support up to $12,000/year

Premium health insurance

Job summary

Auria, headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO, seeks a Senior Software Engineer Lead and Architect to drive the Battlespace Operational Readiness Game (BORG) and associated Live, Virtual, and Constructive training environments.

Lead small agile teams, translate requirements, and shape product strategy while collaborating with DoD stakeholders. Hybrid work arrangement in Colorado Springs, with clear paths for career growth and DoD-aligned development practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of software engineering experience with a focus in modeling, visualization, or systems integration.
• At least 4 years in a leadership role within Agile Scrum (Scrum Master or Product Owner).
• Strong problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.
• Experience with DoD programs and space defense domains is a plus.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to design, develop, and implement training and planning solutions.
• Act as Product Owner, translate requirements into a prioritized backlog.
• Develop secure software in a DevSecOps environment following DoD standards.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful integration and delivery.
• Influence technical direction and architecture for distributed training solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering excellence.
• Ensure code quality through reviews and secure coding practices.
• Stay current with new technologies and DoD software trends.
• Champion Agile Scrum practices within Auria.

Skills

Leadership in Agile Scrum

Product Owner

Scrum Master

Team leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field

Tools

STK

AFSIM

Cesium

ArcGIS

Unity

REST

ASP.NET

C#

C++

Jira

Job description

Are you a highly skilled Senior Software Engineer Lead and Architect ready to help shape the future of Space Training and Readiness in support of the Space Force? Auria is searching for a dynamic technical leader to drive the evolution of our cutting-edge Battlespace Operational Readiness Game (BORG). You'll be at the forefront of building advanced Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training environments, empowering Guardians to master tactics and maintain full-spectrum readiness in a high-stakes, realistic environment. This role is HYBRID in Colorado Springs, CO.

The ideal candidate will apply their experience in leading small Agile Scrum teams and driving technology decisions to support OTTI training, education, and planning needs. The candidate will have the opportunity to gain deep expertise in the space warfighting domain, distributed training environments, Ansys Systems Tool Kit (STK), and industry-leading simulation technologies.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO:

• Contribute to Advancing USSF Full Spectrum Readiness: Lead small, cross-functional teams in the design, development, and implementation of impactful training, education, and planning solutions - ensuring alignment with STARCOM training goals to enhance Guardian readiness.
• Translate Requirements into Mission-Ready Software: Act as a Product Owner, gathering critical requirements from stakeholders, including government end users, integrators, and other capability vendors. Translate these needs into actionable user stories and a prioritized product backlog, driving the development of software solutions that directly address real-world challenges and contribute to mission success.
• Develop Secure and Reliable Software: Design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and components across a tiered DevSecOps environment, adhering to industry and DoD standards for software engineering and cybersecurity.
• Collaborate Across the Training Environment: Work closely with diverse stakeholders, including domain subject matter experts, integrators, program managers, and other capability vendors, to ensure seamless integration and successful delivery of solutions that meet critical mission requirements.
• Influence the Technical Direction of Critical Programs: Actively participate in technical discussions and architectural decisions, influencing direction and ensuring solutions that address complex distributed training challenges. Your exposure to mission operations on site will transform you into a domain expert that will help us drive future solutioning and product strategy.
• Mentor and Develop Future Leaders: Provide strong technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning, professional growth, and technical excellence within your team.
• Ensure Code Quality and Security: Conduct rigorous code reviews, provide insightful feedback, and enforce coding standards and industry best practices to ensure the reliability and integrity of the software developed for mission-critical applications.
• Stay at the Forefront of Technology: Continuously explore emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices within your specialization and the DoD software landscape, applying that knowledge to drive innovation and continuously improve development processes.
• Champion Agile Scrum Development: Continue Auria's Agile excellence by coaching and ensuring the team adheres to Scrum principles and best practices.

WHAT THE TEAM REQUIRES:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field from an accredited university.
• 12+ years of experience in software engineering, with a significant focus in one of:
  • Modeling & Simulation: Experience with M&S platforms, tools (e.g., STK, AFSIM), and methodologies, including their test and integration in software applications.
  • 3D Data Visualization: Expertise with 3D \"whole earth\" applications (Cesium, STK, ArcGIS, Unity) and data visualization techniques, including for geographic information systems (GIS), game, or simulation purposes.
  • Systems Integration & Test: Strong background in planning, performing, and testing diverse system integrations through public APIs (REST, ASP.NET) or C#/C++ assemblies/DLLs in a DevSecOps environment.
• A minimum of 4 years of proven experience in a leadership role within an Agile Scrum environment, especially as a Scrum Master or Product Owner.
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.
• A strong understanding of software development methodologies, design patterns, and best practices, including in DevSecOps environments.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders, including DoD personnel.
• Experience with Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and related project management tools (Jira).
• A proven track record of successfully implementing complex software projects and meeting deadlines.
• Domain-specific knowledge in one of:
  • Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) distributed training environments.
  • Space and Missile Defense, e.g., space operations, orbital warfare (OW), electronic warfare (EW), command and control (C2).
• Experience working within the DoD.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Mission-Driven Professional: Collaborative contributor motivated by the opportunity to develop cutting-edge solutions that protect and serve both the nation and the world.

WHAT THE TEAM PREFERS:

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Industry-recognized Agile certification (e.g., CSM, CSPO).
• Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS) or GovCloud.
• Experience with Digital Engineering and using digital models and data to design, build, test, and operate complex systems.
• Experience designing and developing interactive experiences using the Unity game engine
• Experience in leveraging web APIs or WebSockets to facilitate client-server communication and data exchange.
• Proficient in graphics arts using Photoshop, Illustrator, or other graphic design tools.

PAY TRANSPARENCY:

$129,000 - $184,000

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

September 30, 2026

THE AURIA TEAM:

Auria is a provider of solutions and software in support of complex Space, National Security, and Cyber missions of federal, international, and commercial customers. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO our success is built on the excellence of diverse teams advancing innovative systems and operational software to strengthen our customers' missions. With a distinguished track record and a spirit of relentless pursuit, and R&D, we set the pace for progress and execute every mission with the utmost precision.

Why You'll Love Working at Auria

We believe our team does their best work when they are well-supported, financially secure, and have the freedom to balance life outside of the office.

Time for What Matters

• Generous & Growing PTO: Start with a substantial paid time off package that increases every year you're with us.
• True Flexibility: Contract permitting, use Flex Time to work in a way that fits your life, not just your 8-to-5.
• 11 Paid Days Off: Enjoy 6 fixed company holidays plus 5 Floating Holidays to use whenever you choose.

Invested in Your Future

• 401(k) Match-Yours to Keep Instantly: We match up to 4% of your contributions. Both your contributions and the company match are yours from day one with no vesting wait-period.
• Industry-Leading Education Support: Level up with up to $12,000 annually for tuition and certifications. We don't just hire talent; we grow it.

Health & Peace of Mind

• Premium Healthcare, Lower Costs: High-quality medical plans paired with a Company-Sponsored HSA to help you save for the future.
• Fully Covered Life Insurance: Breathe easy with life insurance up to $50K provided at zero cost to you.
• Holistic Support: Access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial coaching, and more.

...and that's just the beginning!

Auria is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action-Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.