System Engineering Manager with Security Clearance

Northstrat Incorporated; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work/Life Balance

Flex Time

Individual Benefits Account (IBA)

Profit Sharing Plan (PSP)

Stock Options

Lifelong Learning

Bring Your True Self

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Northstrat Incorporated seeks a Software Engineering Manager to lead a team delivering SIGINT/EW software for the DoD. You will drive microservices architecture, CI/CD practices, and cross-functional collaboration with customers and product teams.

You will coordinate with DevSecOps and Scrum Masters, guide strategic initiatives, and ensure timely development and delivery across environments. This role requires active clearance and strong leadership in fast-paced settings.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance required.
• Ability to obtain SCI clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS, EE, AE, CE, Physics, Math, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience designing and implementing microservices architectures.
• Strong knowledge of software architecture principles.
• Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD, and modern software practices.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages (Java, C++, Python).
• Knowledge of front-end and back-end frameworks (React, Node.js, Django).
• Experience with containerization tools (Kubernetes, Docker).
• RF experience and DSP knowledge are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of software, integration, and test engineers.
• Collaborate with Product Teams and the Customer to translate requirements into end-to-end solutions.
• Support CI/CD implementation with the DevSecOps team to optimize development cycles.
• Coordinate with external teams to integrate software onto different environments.
• Plan, task, and execute sprint iterations with Scrum Masters and contribute hands-on.
• Conduct performance reviews and enable team members' professional growth.
• Drive strategic initiatives with upper management to enhance product capabilities and profitability.
• Maximize software reuse and drive profitability across programs.
• Oversee development and delivery planning and execution.
• Serve as the overall software focal for SSEE baseline and lead its direction.
• Manage Software Development and Software I&T activities and authority to release baselines.
• Generate, review, and approve software CDRLs (SVD, SSDD, etc.).
• Primary software focal for customer-run SSEE Software TRB and SPRs management.
• Lead technical discussions on priority and criticality; schedule SPR resolution.
• Act as liaison between engineering and product management, sales, and support.
• Communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences and back again.
• Engage with customer software lead bi-weekly to ensure needs are met.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Agile

CI/CD

Microservices

DevSecOps

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Degree in CS/EE/AE/CE/Physics/Math

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Red Hat

Podman

Virtualization Stack

Job description

Northstrat is seeking a Software Engineering Manager developing next generation signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic warfare systems for the Department of Defense. Join a passionate team of industry-leading individuals on a program that leverages the best practices in Model-Based Systems Engineering and Agile software development to deliver state-of-the-art capability in support of our nation’s warfighters. As a member of the team, you will support the men and women charged with safeguarding the American people and enhancing the Nation’s safety, security, and prosperity. Our warfighters are on the front lines, every day, protecting our national security from the increasingly sophisticated and complex threats of our adversaries.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team software/integration/and test engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with other Product Teams, the Customer and their representatives to take requirements and translate them into end-to-end solutions.
• Collaborate with DevSecOps team in implementing CI/CD processes to facilitate efficient and effective development cycles.
• Collaborate with external teams to integrate our software products onto different environments
• Collaborate with Scrum Masters to plan, task, and execute sprint iterations and be able to get hands-on with the software team during development and testing cycles
• Conduct performance reviews, set professional development goals, and ensure team members have the resources they need to succeed.
• Work closely with upper management and the program office to develop and implement strategic initiatives that enhance product capabilities and drive business growth.
• Identify opportunities for maximizing software reuse and improving profitability across various programs.
• Plan and execute development and delivery efforts.
• Overall software focal for the Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) baseline - leads the direction and maturation of the SSEE software baseline.
• Manages and supports Software Development and Software I&T
• Authority to execute formal build and release of the software baseline
• Generate, review, and approve software CDRLs (SVD, SSDD, etc)
• Primary software focal for customer-run SSEE Software TRB
• Manage SSEE Software Problem Reports (SPRs)
• Drive technical discussion on priority and criticality
• Schedule and execute SPR resolution.
• Act as a liaison between the engineering team and other stakeholders, including product management, sales, and customer support.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and vice versa.
• Interact on a bi-weekly basis with customer software lead to ensure customer needs are being met

Requirements

• Must be Active Top Security clearance
• Ability to obtain SCI security clearance
• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Math, or equivalent experience
• Must have at least 5 plus years in a leadership role
• Proven experience in designing and implementing microservices architectures.
• Strong knowledge of software architecture principles and practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Must have the ability to collaborate effectively with upper management and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated success in maximizing software reuse and driving profitability.
• Must have experience with Virtualization Stack, VM, Redhat and RF knowledge
• Strong communication skills, ability to work independently and within agile team constructs to lead developers in fast paced, collaborative environments
• Knowledge of modern software engineering, to include DevSecOps practices and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, version control, automated testing, and Agile software development best practices
• Preferred: Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Java, C++, Python)
• Proficiency in front-end and back-end technologies (React, Node.js, Django) and frameworks
• Proficiency in container automation and orchestration tooling employment (Kubernetes, Podman/Docker)
• RF experience is desired
• DSP experience
• Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Desired Active TS/SCI Clearance

Benefits

• Work/Life Balance Northstrat values true work life balance. We offer power of choice benefits designed to best meet the needs of you and your lifestyle. Our benefits programs are designed to support and encourage wellness, healthy living, retirement investment, and lifetime learning.
• Pay Range There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. We also offer competitive compensation, benefits, and professional development opportunities. Please refer to our Benefits section for additional details.
• Flex Time Northstrat does not mandate specific working hours. Although project requirements may dictate schedules, a Northstrat employee is only required to work an average of 8 hours per weekday over the course of a month. For example: John worked 12 hours on June 1st to meet a project deadline. On June 15th, John only worked 4 hours because he left early for a long weekend. John's IBA was not debited for time off because flex time allowed him to carry over those 4 hours from June 1st.
• Individual Benefits Account (IBA) To attract and retain the highest quality staff, Northstrat provides a unique and versatile benefits package, the Individual Benefit Account (IBA), which places the power of choice in the hands of our greatest asset - the employee. The purpose of the IBA is to provide attractive benefits to all full-time employees of Northstrat on a flexible basis that enables each covered employee to select a package that best suits his or her needs. Whether those needs are paid time off, medical expenses, prescription drug expenses, cash disbursement, or a combination of any of these, the IBA provides flexibility to help you meet your specific goals. The IBA can be used for such things as: IBA Benefits accrue each month in the amount equivalent to 50% of the employee's monthly compensation rate. That is, the effective dollar amount of this accrual is in addition to an employee's salary.
• Profit Sharing Plan (PSP) The PSP is a qualified retirement plan that Northstrat funds quarterly on the employee's behalf through the IBA in the amount equivalent to 25% (up to the IRS contribution limit) of the employee's compensation. That is of the 50% accrual in the IBA, half of the amount accrued is applied to the PSP.
• Stock Options Because Northstrat is an employee-owned company, all new employees are offered stock options. Employees have the opportunity to receive additional stock options based on accomplishment of individual performance goals. Stock owners elect the Board of Directors and are directly impacted by the success of the company.
• Lifelong Learning Our culture promotes and nurtures a growth environment. We hire and scale rapidly to meet the needs of our partner customers. Through periodic company sponsored training events, and the ability to use IBA funds for reimbursement of work-related education expenses you will have the opportunity to continually grow your skills and abilities.
• Bring Your True Self We embrace diversity and encourage inclusion. We support employee led interest groups and challenge our employees to support others and be their best self. We are so true to our beliefs that we offer employee referral incentives. When you like it here, your friends and family will too!
• Northstrat is an Equal Opportunity Employer We are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or other legally protected status.