Sensor/EW Software Engineer - ELSYS - Tucson, AZ - (Open Rank)

Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI); Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is seeking a Sensor/EW Software Engineer for the EMSO Platform & Training Branch in Tucson, AZ. You will advance real-time software for EMSO mission systems, integrating vendor apps and ensuring secure deployment within aircraft platforms.

The role requires strong C/C++/C#, Python, and MATLAB skills, plus CI/CD, API integration, and containerized deployments in a defense-focused environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in software development, software integration, or related RF engineering work.
• Experience with C, C++, C#, Python, and/or MATLAB.
• Experience with APIs, middleware, inter-process communication, or distributed software components.

Responsibilities

• Lead designer of real-time software development tasks for target hardware platforms.
• Author technical journals and publications as needed.
• Collaborate with vendors and internal teams to integrate software into mission systems.

Skills

C programming

C++

C#

Python

MATLAB

APIs & middleware

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering/CS/CE/EE

Master's degree in Software Engineering/CS/CE/EE

PhD in Software Engineering/CS/CE/EE

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Overview

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

• 1. Students are our top priority.
• 2. We strive for excellence.
• 3. We thrive on diversity.
• 4. We celebrate collaboration.
• 5. We champion innovation.
• 6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
• 7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
• 8. We act ethically.
• 9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Project/Unit Description

The Electronic Systems Laboratory (ELSYS) Applied Embedded Systems (AES) Division is currently seeking a Sensor/EW Software Engineer for the Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Platform & Training Branch (EPTB). EPTB provides engineering and technical support for EMSO platforms to include the new United States Air Force (USAF) EA-37B Compass Call platform. EPTB engineers provide 24/7/365 EMSO mission system rapid reprogramming support and development, integration, testing, and fielding of EMSO hardware/software tools for deployment of advanced missionware/applications (\"apps\"). EPTB engineers also provide advanced and tailored EW and EMSO education and training courses to U.S. Military personnel, Government civilians, and U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partner nations. In addition to training products, EPTB also performs assessments and direct support to Department of War (DoW) elements involved in EMSO. This opportunity within EPTB will provide direct support to 55th Electronic Combat Group (55 ECG), and the EA-37B Compass Call at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (DMAFB), Tucson, AZ. This position will utilize their background in Software Engineering and knowledge of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum to integrate vendor delivered application-based capabilities into the EA-37B Compass Call mission system.

Job Purpose

A Sensor/EW Software Engineer advances and matures a wide variety of software for use in radar, EO/IR, electronic warfare (EW) systems or other electromagnetic applications. Their research centers on efficient and adaptive algorithms for high-throughput signal processing, sensor fusion, target tracking, resource scheduling, electronic attack (EA), electronic protection (EP), and system lifecycle management. In this role, the Sensor/EW Software Engineer is proficient in programming languages such as C, C++, C#, and demonstrates extensive knowledge in advanced mathematics and physics for sensor-based, EO/IR or EW applications. The engineer is experienced in software engineering and development principles, such as Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD), DevOps, Application Programming Interface (API) development, container development, and distributed systems. The Sensor/EW Software Engineer also works as part of a broad team of researchers to innovate new concepts, identify technology stakeholders, and execute challenging research in the national interest.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead designer of real-time software development tasks, applying expertise in real-time software to define requirements and develop software designs recognizing limitations of target hardware platforms
• Serve as a Lead contributor and Author to technical journals and publications
• Present project presentations and technical reports under the supervision of more experienced engineers; supports sponsor engagements
• Begin to take ownership of small team development, mentoring others
• Significant contributor to white papers and competitive proposals
• Other related duties, as assigned

Additional Responsibilities

• Integrate third-party and vendor-developed RF software applications into the EA-37B mission computer's Open Mission Systems Environment
• Collaborate directly with external vendors to assess existing software implementations, identify compatibility gaps, and support required modifications for successful operation within the program's target environment
• Analyze software designed for other open mission system implementations and adapt, port, configure, or guide changes needed for interoperability with the program's hardware and software architecture
• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot interfaces between mission applications, middleware, hardware devices, and mission computer services
• Support software deployment, configuration management, and verification activities across development, integration, and test environments
• Evaluate software behavior, performance, and resource usage within constrained mission computing environments
• Assist in defining and documenting interface requirements, software integration processes, and technical baselines for vendor-delivered applications
• Participate in software integration testing, system verification, defect resolution, and regression testing for mission applications
• Work closely with systems engineers, software engineers, test engineers, cybersecurity personnel, and program stakeholders to ensure successful software integration and mission capability delivery
• Contribute to the development and improvement of software engineering practices, including CI/CD workflows, containerized deployment approaches, and automated test strategies where applicable
• Support technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and integration planning sessions with internal teams, government stakeholders, and external vendors
• Prepare clear technical documentation, status updates, and integration findings to support program execution and lifecycle sustainment
• Assist with user training, briefings, and awareness activities related to secure system operations and cybersecurity policy compliance

Required Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in software development, software integration, or related RF engineering work
• Experience with C, C++, C#, Python, and/or MATLAB
• Experience with software integration, debugging, and troubleshooting across multiple computing environments
• Understanding of core software engineering principles, including version control, build processes, testing, and configuration management
• Experience working with APIs, middleware, inter-process communication, or distributed software components
• Ability to understand existing software architectures and adapt software to operate within a different target environment
• Experience working collaboratively with technical teams to resolve software compatibility, interface, or performance issues
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with external vendors and multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Experience with Open Mission Systems (OMS), modular open systems approaches, or mission system software integration in airborne platforms
• Experience integrating software onto mission computers, embedded processing environments, or hardware/software platforms used in defense or aerospace applications
• Familiarity with EW, RF signals processing, or other EMSO mission applications
• Experience supporting software integration for airborne platforms, ideally within military aviation environments
• Experience working with vendor-developed or third-party software products and coordinating technical changes across organizational boundaries
• Proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB for analysis, prototyping, test automation, or integration support
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker or Kubernetes-based workflows
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and automated software build/test/deployment processes
• Familiarity with real-time, embedded, or resource-constrained software environments
• Experience with interface definition, message formats, data models, and software interoperability standards
• Knowledge of cybersecurity requirements and secure software integration practices for defense systems
• Experience with software verification, validation, and formal test activities in regulated or mission-critical environments.

Travel Requirements

10% - 25% travel

Education and Length of Experience

Levels 3, 4

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 3 years of related experience with a Masters' degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 0 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Benefits at GTRI

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity