Software Engineer, Level 2/3/4

Caribou Thunder; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Match

Flexible PTO

Education Reimbursement

Military Leave Support

Work-Life Balance

Job summary

Caribou Thunder in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Software Engineer (Level 2–4) to design, develop, test, and maintain real-time embedded software for missile defense systems, with a focus on high-performance C++ and integration with hardware.

This on-site role requires DoD Secret clearance, experience in Linux (RHEL), Agile methods, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Travel up to 10% may be required; salary range $70k–$140k with benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM from an accredited institution
• Level 2: 2 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 0 years of experience
• Level 3: 5 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 3 years of experience, or PhD with 1 year of experience
• Level 4: 8 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 6 years of experience, or PhD with 4 years of experience
• Active DoD Secret security clearance required at time of application
• Experience developing real-time embedded software using C++
• Experience supporting hardware and software integration activities
• Experience developing software within Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies and practices
• Experience using Atlassian tools such as Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, or related platforms
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and within cross-functional engineering teams
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% in support of program requirements
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and software debugging skills

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain real-time embedded software supporting missile defense systems and mission-critical applications
• Develop high-performance software solutions using modern C++ programming techniques and object-oriented design principles
• Support hardware and software integration activities to ensure system functionality, performance, and reliability
• Develop, troubleshoot, and optimize software applications operating within Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments
• Participate in the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including requirements analysis, design, implementation, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment
• Collaborate with systems engineers, software engineers, integration teams, and government stakeholders to deliver mission capabilities
• Support software verification, validation, and system-level testing activities
• Participate in Agile development ceremonies including sprint planning, backlog refinement, daily standups, reviews, and retrospectives
• Utilize Atlassian toolsets to support software development, issue tracking, collaboration, and project execution
• Analyze software defects, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on software quality, automation, and mission effectiveness
• Support technical documentation, software releases, and engineering reviews throughout the development lifecycle

Job description

Software Engineer (Level 2 / Level 3 / Level 4)
Mid–Senior Level | Active Secret Clearance Required | $70,000 - $140,000 | Travel: Yes (10%) | Onsite: Huntsville, AL

Support mission-critical missile defense capabilities—developing real-time embedded software that enables advanced weapon system functionality, hardware integration, and operational mission performance for Missile Defense Agency programs.

A Day in the Life - What you’ll do

Design, develop, test, and maintain real-time embedded software supporting missile defense systems and mission-critical applications.

Develop high-performance software solutions using modern C++ programming techniques and object-oriented design principles.

Support hardware and software integration activities to ensure system functionality, performance, and reliability.

Develop, troubleshoot, and optimize software applications operating within Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments.

Participate in the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including requirements analysis, design, implementation, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment.

Collaborate with systems engineers, software engineers, integration teams, and government stakeholders to deliver mission capabilities.

Support software verification, validation, and system-level testing activities.

Participate in Agile development ceremonies including sprint planning, backlog refinement, daily standups, reviews, and retrospectives.

Utilize Atlassian toolsets to support software development, issue tracking, collaboration, and project execution.

Analyze software defects, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.

Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on software quality, automation, and mission effectiveness.

Support technical documentation, software releases, and engineering reviews throughout the development lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited institution
• Level 2: 2 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 0 years of experience
• Level 3: 5 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 3 years of experience, or PhD with 1 year of experience
• Level 4: 8 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 6 years of experience, or PhD with 4 years of experience
• Active DoD Secret security clearance required at time of application
• Experience developing real-time embedded software using C++
• Experience supporting hardware and software integration activities
• Experience developing software within Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies and practices
• Experience using Atlassian tools such as Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, or related platforms
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and within cross-functional engineering teams
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% in support of program requirements
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and software debugging skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline
• Missile Defense Agency (MDA) or missile defense domain experience
• Experience using National Instruments LabVIEW for software development, testing, or hardware integration activities
• CompTIA Security+ certification or equivalent DoD 8140/8570 certification
• Experience supporting embedded systems development within defense or aerospace environments
• Knowledge of weapon system architectures, sensor systems, or command and control environments
• Experience supporting software integration laboratories, hardware test environments, or system verification activities
• Current active Top Secret security clearance or TS/SCI eligibility

Who is Caribou Thunder?

Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners.

35+ states and 20+ countries. We’ve delivered trusted solutions for over two decades — strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.

Why Caribou Thunder? TEAM THUNDER — Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

• Employee Advocacy
• Mission Proven
• Global Reach
• Skilled Teams
• Modern Tools
• Empowering Culture

Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier — delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence — disciplines powering the nation’s most complex technical missions.

Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being — knowing their success drives ours.

Benefits include:

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with 6% Company Match
• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule
• Education & Certification Reimbursement
• Support for Military Leave
• Work–Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being — we invest in you.