Software Engineer - DoD Experience Required

Acara Solutions, An Aleron Company; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology solutions firm is seeking a mid-level Software Engineer in Waco, TX, to support the design and enhancement of mission-critical software for Department of Defense programs. The ideal candidate will have strong Java development experience, knowledge of software design principles, and familiarity with Agile methodologies. Responsibilities include software design and implementation, enhancing system performance, and collaborating across teams. This role is a 12-month contract with the possibility for future full-time employment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software development experience within the DoD and defense industry.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, and best practices.
• Proficiency in Java (Java 11 or newer) and object-oriented languages such as C++, C#, or Python.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement new software features and frameworks.
• Enhance system performance, scalability, reliability, and security.
• Collaborate closely with engineers and stakeholders.

Skills

Java development

Software engineering principles

Agile development

Problem-solving skills

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Git

JIRA

Job description

Software Engineer - DoD Experience Required

Our client is seeking a mid-level Software Engineer to support the design, development, and enhancement of mission‑critical software systems supporting Department of Defense programs. This role offers the opportunity to work on high‑impact applications in a collaborative, Agile environment alongside cross‑functional engineering teams.

The ideal candidate has strong Java development experience, a solid understanding of software design principles, and prior experience supporting DoD or defense programs.

Location: Waco, TX

Duration: 12 months (possibility to convert to FTE)

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design, develop, and implement new software features and frameworks in support of mission‑critical systems
• Enhance system performance, scalability, reliability, and security across existing applications
• Participate in full software development lifecycle activities, including requirements analysis, design, development, testing, and deployment
• Collaborate closely with other engineers, system architects, and stakeholders to deliver solutions aligned with project timelines and technical requirements
• Conduct code reviews, write unit tests, and maintain technical documentation to ensure high‑quality deliverables
• Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve software defects and production issues
• Actively participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily stand‑ups, retrospectives, and demos
• Stay current with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and DoD software standards

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of software development experience within the DoD / defense industry
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, and best practices
• Proficiency in Java (Java 11 or newer) and/or other object‑oriented languages such as C++, C#, or Python
• Experience working in Agile development environments
• Hands‑on experience with Linux/UNIX environments (RHEL, Rocky, CentOS)
• Experience using Git or Bitbucket for version control and JIRA for issue tracking
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Preferred / Nice‑to‑Have Skills

• Experience with JavaFX for UI development
• Familiarity with UML and modern software design methodologies
• Knowledge of secure coding practices and cybersecurity principles (Fortify experience a plus)
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub)
• Exposure to containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience with test‑driven development (TDD) and automated testing frameworks

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F‑1 OPT STEM work authorization status.