Software Development Engineer, Prin

Curtiss-Wright Corporation; Frederick (MD); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with Employer Match and Profit Sh

Health and Wellness Benefits

Learning and Development Opportunities

Referral Program

Competitive Pay

Recognition

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Inclusive & Supportive Culture

Job summary

Curtiss-Wright is seeking a Principal Software Development Engineer in Frederick, MD to lead design, architecture, development and validation of complex software systems with broad autonomy. You will guide senior engineers, resolve critical issues, and influence product improvements across hardware and software teams.

This role emphasizes mentoring, documentation, and long-term software evolution in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive software development experience, including leadership of complex software programs.
• Expert-level proficiency in software architecture, design patterns, coding, debugging and advanced troubleshooting.
• Strong experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including hardware, systems and customer support.
• Proven ability to interface with customers to resolve issues and influence product improvements.
• Excellent written communication skills with experience creating user manuals, technical documentation and training materials.
• Strong mentoring, leadership and communication abilities with influence across multiple engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, architecture, coding, testing and debugging of complex software systems and major enhancements to existing applications, ensuring high reliability and performance.
• Diagnose and resolve the most complex software issues by collaborating with technical teams and applying expert-level troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Engage directly with customers to address high-impact software complaints, incorporate enhancement requests and guide modification strategies that improve product usability and performance.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive software documentation, including user manuals, technical references and release notes, ensuring clarity and compliance with organizational standards.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and training to less experienced software engineers and collaborate with hardware or cross-functional teams on integrated solutions.
• Understand how a power plant works and its components – desirable experience with TH codes – design, code, test, debug, and document software according to the functional requirements.
• Provide technical expertise across multiple areas of application development.
• Identify options for potential solutions and assess them for technical and business suitability.
• Proficiency in Fortran preferred.
• Can work independently with minimal supervision and lead/coordinate a team of people to execute project tasks.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and good written/verbal communication.
• A flexible approach and ability to adapt.

Skills

Leadership

Software architecture

Design patterns

Coding

Debugging

Troubleshooting

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer communication

Documentation

Analytical skills

English communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related field

Tools

Fortran

Job description

Software Development Engineer, Principal

As a Principal Software Development Engineer serves as a senior technical authority responsible for leading the design, architecture, development and validation of complex software systems and enhancements. Operating with broad autonomy, this role drives technical direction, resolves critical software issues, collaborates across engineering teams, and ensures robust, scalable and maintainable software solutions. You will also provide expert-level guidance to less experienced engineers, influences customer-facing software improvements and contributes to documentation, training and long-term software evolution.

Location: Frederick, MD (onsite)

Benefits

• 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing
• Health and Wellness Benefits
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Referral Program
• Competitive Pay
• Recognition
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Inclusive & Supportive Culture

Salary

Salary: $165,000.00 to $190,000.00 annually. Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.

Your Challenge

• Lead the design, architecture, coding, testing and debugging of complex software systems and major enhancements to existing applications, ensuring high reliability and performance (20%).
• Diagnose and resolve the most complex software issues by collaborating with technical teams and applying expert-level troubleshooting and analytical skills (20%).
• Engage directly with customers to address high-impact software complaints, incorporate enhancement requests and guide modification strategies that improve product usability and performance (20%).
• Develop and maintain comprehensive software documentation, including user manuals, technical references and release notes, ensuring clarity and compliance with organizational standards (20%).
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and training to less experienced software engineers and collaborate with hardware or cross-functional teams on integrated solutions (20%).
• Understand how a power plant works and its components – desired Experience with TH codes (RELAP/MARS/Other) – desirable not specifically required Design, code, test, debug, and document software according to the functional requirements.
• Provide technical expertise across multiple areas of application development.
• Identify options for potential solutions and assess them for technical and business suitability.
• Proficiency in Fortran preferred.
• Can work independently with minimal supervision.
• Can lead/coordinate a team of people to execute project tasks.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Competent use of English with good written and verbal communication skills.
• A flexible approach and ability to adapt.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive software development experience, including leadership of complex software programs.
• Expert-level proficiency in software architecture, design patterns, coding, debugging and advanced troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated success developing scalable software in high-complexity or high-reliability environments.
• Strong experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including hardware, systems and customer support.
• Proven ability to interface with customers to resolve issues and influence product improvements.
• Excellent written communication skills with experience creating user manuals, technical documentation and training materials.
• Strong mentoring, leadership and communication abilities with influence across multiple engineering disciplines.

Who We Are

WSC, a business of Curtiss-Wright, is a technology driven company with engineering simulation as its core competence. WSC's vision is to provide the Power Industry with innovative, state-of-the-art, simulation technology products and services, that will add value in the design, commissioning, and safe and reliable operation of their power generating or process plant assets.

Compliance Statement

This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening. In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn.

Equal Opportunity

Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status.

For US Applicants: EEO is The Law.

About the Team

Over 95 years of growth, Curtiss-Wright is an integrated, market-facing global diversified industrial company and remains a technology leader through this legacy of innovation. Through three well-balanced segments – Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics and Naval & Power, we remain focused on advanced technologies for high performance platforms and critical applications. Diversity, commitment to excellence and dedication to the spirit of pioneering innovation continue to drive the employees of Curtiss-Wright.

Our Values: Leadership, Customer Focus, Teamwork & Trust, Respect for People, Integrity.

What We Offer

Opportunity: As part of the Curtiss-Wright team, you have the opportunity each day to transform the way customers do business, as well as transform your career. Our entrepreneurial environment provides you with excellent experiences that enable you to develop your skills through stretch assignments and the opportunity to work with the best talent in the industry. You will have the opportunity to contribute from day one!

Challenging Work: The work we do here is not only challenging, but it is meaningful to our customers, our employees and the communities in which they live and work. You are given the chance to work on some of the most advanced technology projects in the world.

Collaborative Environment: The teamwork among our exceptionally talented people enables us to deliver some of the most advanced solutions to our customers.