Sr. Software Engineer

Zel Technologies LLC; Dahlgren (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

401k immediate vesting with company match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Educational assistance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Referral bonuses

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Virginia is seeking a skilled Sr Software Engineer to support the design and development of software for Department of Defense programs. This role requires deep expertise in software engineering, including documentation, coding, and debugging, along with a security clearance. Candidates should have at least 10 years of experience or a bachelor's degree with 6 years of related software experience. The position promises a collaborative work environment and engagement in innovative defense projects.

Qualifications

• Must be a US citizen.
• Must have an active secret security clearance.
• 10 years of experience in software engineering or a bachelor's degree with 6 years of experience.
• Experience as a skilled developer creating or maintaining operating systems, communications software, or database packages.
• Solid understanding of software requirements definition, coding, debugging, and documentation.
• Experience in cybersecurity, real-time programming, or data-driven technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enhance software applications.
• Define, manage, and document software requirements.
• Conduct benchmark testing, debugging, and performance analysis.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation.
• Analyze software performance in Naval environments.
• Support technical recommendations and justify positions.

Skills

Software engineering

Technical documentation

Cybersecurity knowledge

Real-time programming

Machine learning

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Operations Research, or Computer Science

Tools

C

C++

Java

HTML

.NET

Job description

Job Alerts & Details

• This position is contingent upon contract award.
• This position is eligible for a $500 ZelTech Non‑Employee Referral fee. Contact ZelTech Recruiters for questions concerning this matter.

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Job Summary

The Sr Software Engineer will support the design, development, testing, and documentation of complex software systems for Department of Defense (DoD) programs. This role requires extensive experience in software engineering, including requirements of definition, architecture, coding, debugging, and performance analysis. The engineer will contribute across the full software lifecycle and must be capable of producing high-quality technical documentation, supporting technical positions, and working with advanced technologies such as cybersecurity, real‑time programming, or machine learning.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enhance software applications including operating systems, communications software, database packages, compilers, assemblers, and utility programs.
• Define, manage, and document software requirements, architecture, design, and code.
• Conduct benchmark testing, debugging, and performance analysis across multiple software components.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation such as Software Development Plans (SDPs), Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), Interface Change Requests (ICRs), Interface Design Specifications (IDS), and software test plans and reports.
• Analyze software performance in realistic operational Naval environments and scenarios.
• Support technical recommendations by developing and defending technical positions and writing detailed technical reports.
• Participate in software testing at multiple levels, including unit, system, and system of systems testing.
• Identify software constraints, perform analyses, and define actionable corrective measures.
• Contribute to advanced software engineering tasks in areas such as cybersecurity, real‑time programming, UML/SysML modeling, or data‑driven technologies.

Requirements

• Must be a US citizen.
• Must have an active secret security clearance.
• Ten (10) years of experience in software engineering; OR a bachelor's degree in engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Operations Research, or Computer Science and six (6) years of software engineering experience.
• Experience as a skilled developer creating or maintaining at least two of the following:
  • Operating systems
  • Communications software
  • Database packages
  • Compilers
  • Assemblers
  • Utility programs
• Experience in software requirements definition and management, software design, coding, debugging, benchmark testing, software development lifecycles, architecture, and documentation.
• Experience developing and understanding technical documents including SDPs, ECPs, ICRs, IDSs, software test plans/reports, and analytical evaluations of software performance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and support technical positions, justify recommendations, and write technical reports.
• Experience in at least one of the following areas:
  • Cybersecurity
  • Programming languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, HTML, .NET
  • UML/SysML modeling
  • Realtime programming
  • Multilevel software testing and corrective action analysis
  • Big data, data mining, machine learning, or artificial intelligence techniques
• Successful background and drug screening check.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience supporting Naval or DoD software development programs.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Physical Demands or Work Environment

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The majority of the time is spent in an office setting.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

About ZelTech

Founded in 1988 by Ret. Col. Jack L. Ezzell Jr., Zel Technologies is a trusted leader in national security, providing comprehensive research, development, engineering, and operational support to the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and federal agencies. Originally focused on leveraging operational and software expertise to improve time‑critical targeting capabilities for the military, the company advanced its capabilities to provide scientific and HUMINT expertise for CBRNE collection and analysis. In the wake of 9/11, Zel Technologies rapidly expanded its capabilities to provide turnkey ISR support services to US Special Operations Forces (SOF), as well as advanced technical & operational intelligence, physical & data science, and engineering support services to the greater Intelligence and SOF Communities supporting global counterterrorism and CWMD operations.

Today, Zel Technologies remains at the forefront of intelligence missions, advancing CWMD and global counterterrorism efforts, while also addressing emerging threats posed by near‑peer adversaries. Our team remains committed to delivering adaptive, innovative, and cost‑effective solutions across multiple domains, in alignment with the mission priorities of the U.S. Government and its partner nations.

Our Mission

Through our commitment to innovation and quality, our skilled teams deliver robust, technology driven solutions and insights that empower our customers to overcome complex challenges and achieve their mission objectives.

Our Workforce

ZelTech team members represent a wide range of backgrounds, skills, experience, and personalities bound together by common objectives and mutual respect. You will join a caring community of professional, including many military veterans who challenge and support each other in seeking the right solutions to important matters.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401k immediate vesting with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account with company contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bonuses for performance
• Voluntary life/accidental death & dismemberment
• Educational assistance and special training programs
• Voluntary benefits (accidental, critical illness, whole life)
• Group life insurance (Company paid)
• Short‑term and Long‑term Disability Insurance (Company paid)
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Leave, Jury Duty, and Military Leave
• Health and fitness reimbursement
• Referral bonuses
• Employee discounts on various services and products

Equal Opportunities

ZelTech is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, military status, genetic predisposition, or any other basis protected by law.