Senior Software Engineer - Radar Software

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

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 schedule

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Career development

Job summary

Leonardo DRS, in Germantown, MD, is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design, build, and sustain mission‑critical radar software. You will translate complex requirements into reliable C/C++ code for timing-sensitive radar system applications, collaborating with cross‑functional teams on site.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in software engineering, strong C/C++, embedded/system experience, and the ability to work independently while guiding others. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or related field with at least five years of software engineering experience.
• Strong C/C++ software development experience for embedded, system-level, or mission-critical software.
• Experience with multithreaded or concurrent software and timing-sensitive behavior.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, debug, and maintain radar system software.
• Translate requirements into reliable C/C++ designs.
• Work on radar-system applications with multithreaded/timing-sensitive behavior.
• Troubleshoot issues from development to field support.
• Collaborate with software, systems, hardware, integration, and test teams.

Skills

C/C++ development

Embedded software

Multithreading

Debugging

Version control

RTOS/Linux

Python scripting

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or CS

Tools

Git

Job description

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Senior Software Engineer - Radar Software

Location: Germantown, MD, US, 20876

Job ID: 114921

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 sustain mission-critical software that operates and supports advanced radar systems. This hands-on role is ideal for an experienced C/C++ engineer who can translate complex requirements into reliable, maintainable software for complex system applications with timing-sensitive behavior. 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 that operate and support advanced radar systems.
• Translate customer, product, and system-level requirements into reliable, maintainable software designs and C/C++ implementations.
• Work on radar-system application software involving multithreaded behavior, timing-sensitive operation, shared resources, and system-level interfaces.
• Troubleshoot and resolve software issues found during development, integration, lab testing, system testing, and field support.
• Collaborate closely with software, systems, hardware, integration, and test teams to understand system behavior and deliver working solutions.
• Participate in code reviews, configuration management, documentation, estimation, and engineering process improvements.
• Lead assigned technical work, communicate technical risks and tradeoffs clearly, and provide guidance to other engineers as needed.

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.
• Strong C or C++ software development experience, especially in embedded, system-level, or mission-critical software environments.
• Experience with multithreaded or concurrent software, including timing-sensitive behavior, synchronization, and shared-resource management.
• Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills in integrated or system-level software environments.
• Experience using version control and working in a structured software development environment.
• Experience with RTOS-based applications, Linux-based systems, hardware/software integration, Python scripting, or defense systems is helpful but not required.
• Ability to own technical work independently and collaborate effectively across software, systems, hardware, integration, and test teams.
• U.S. citizenship is required, along with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

What This Role Is Not:

• This is not a radar algorithm or signal‑processing development role. While you will work on software that operates and supports advanced radar systems, prior radar experience is not required.
• This is not a microcontroller or bare‑metal firmware role. The work is focused on radar‑system application software involving C/C++, system-level interfaces, multithreaded behavior, timing awareness, and integrated system behavior.
• 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 systems 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.