Senior Software Engineer - Linux Backend Systems

Leonardo DRS; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 107,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Telemedicine

Parental leave

Job summary

Leonardo DRS is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design and evolve Linux-based backend software for radar and defense solutions in Germantown, MD. The role emphasizes Rust development with support in C/C++ and C, and involves building scalable, secure services and automated CI/CD pipelines.

You will collaborate across engineering, hardware, and test teams, lead technical work, and mentor colleagues while ensuring high-quality software in a mission-critical environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field with 5+ years of software experience.
• Strong proficiency in C, C++, or Rust with capability to learn Rust more deeply.
• Linux experience, shell scripting, automation, and build systems.
• Experience with networked services and container technologies is preferred.
• Ability to lead technical work and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, debug, and maintain Linux-based software for radar and defense systems.
• Translate requirements into reliable software designs and architecture decisions.
• Develop primarily in Rust while working with C/C++ as needed.
• Improve build, test, and deployment pipelines using Git, CI/CD, and containers.
• Lead technical tasks and mentor teammates.

Skills

C/C++

Rust

Linux

Networking

Git

CI/CD

Containers

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical field

Tools

Docker

Jenkins

gRPC

protobuf

Job description

Senior Software Engineer - Linux Backend Systems

Location: Germantown, MD, US, 20876

Job ID: 115048

Location: Germantown, MD

Business Unit: DRS RADA Technologies

Schedule: 9/80

Shift: First

DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the defense industry globally. The company is a global pioneer of AESA tactical radars for active military protection, counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance.

About the Role:

DRS RADA Technologies is seeking a full-time, on-site Senior Software Engineer to design, build, and evolve Linux-based, mission-critical software supporting advanced radar and defense solutions. This hands-on role is ideal for an experienced, systems-oriented engineer who can translate complex requirements into reliable and maintainable software while helping shape technical direction and development practices. Prior radar experience is helpful but not required; we value strong software engineering fundamentals and the ability to learn complex technical domains.

What You Will Do:

• Design, develop, test, debug, and maintain software applications and systems supporting radar and defense technology solutions.
• Translate customer, product, and system-level requirements into reliable and maintainable software designs.
• Develop software primarily in Rust, while working with C and C++ codebases, interfaces, or existing systems as needed.
• Build and improve automated build, test, and deployment processes using Git, CI/CD pipelines, Jenkins or similar tools, and container-based environments.
• Build and troubleshoot Linux-based services involving networking, containers, microservices, and service-to-service communication.
• Lead assigned technical work, collaborate across engineering disciplines, mentor teammates, and communicate technical risks and tradeoffs clearly.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field, plus at least five years of relevant software engineering experience.
• Fluency in C, C++, or Rust, with the ability and interest to become productive in Rust; prior Rust experience is preferred but not required.
• Strong Linux proficiency, including command-line tools, shell scripting, automation, and build systems.
• Solid understanding of networking concepts and experience developing or troubleshooting networked services; experience with Docker or comparable container technologies is preferred.
• Experience developing software that communicates across processes, services, or systems using technologies such as APIs, messaging, publish/subscribe patterns, protobuf, gRPC, or comparable approaches.
• Proficiency with Git and experience working with automated build, test, or CI/CD pipelines.
• Ability to lead technical work independently and collaborate effectively across engineering teams.
• U.S. citizenship is required; ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance may be required for future program work.

What This Role Is Not:

• This is not a purely coding-focused position. While you will write and maintain software, you will also help shape technical approaches, contribute to design and architecture decisions, troubleshoot complex issues, and support the successful delivery of integrated systems.
• This is not a role limited to one technology or programming language. The work centers on Rust development for Linux-based, service-oriented software, with related work in C/C++, networking, containers, automated testing, and CI/CD.
• This is not a remote position. This full-time role is based on-site in Germantown, Maryland, where close collaboration with software, systems, hardware, integration, and test teams is essential.
• This is not an entry-level engineering role. The Senior Software Engineer is expected to work independently, lead assigned technical work, make sound engineering decisions, and provide guidance to other team members.
• This is not software developed in isolation. You will work within a cross-functional team and contribute to products that must perform reliably in demanding real-world defense environments.

What We Bring:

At DRS RADA Technologies, your work supports technologies that help protect military personnel, critical infrastructure, and communities around the world. You will join a mission-driven team developing advanced radar technology that supports system performance and real-world defense applications.

We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; a company contribution to a health savings account; telemedicine; life and disability insurance; legal insurance; and a 401(k) savings plan. We invest in employee well‑being, career growth, professional development, and skill enhancement, and offer a flexible 9/80 schedule, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

The salary range for this position is $107,089.00-$144,570.00. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours. Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Our Vision. To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S.

Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:

• Integrity
• Agility
• Excellence
• Customer Focus
• Community & Respect
• Innovation

We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.