Principal Software Engineer

Purpose of Position

Responsible for developing software for simulation systems. Application areas include aircraft systems simulation, navigation systems, environmental simulation, avionics rehost and stimulation, instructor operator station, simulation executive, simulation architecture, computer systems and information security.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Lead the technical design, development, integration, verification, deployment, and lifecycle support of complex software systems, components, interfaces, and simulation capabilities while ensuring alignment with architectural standards and business objectives.
• Serve as the technical authority for software architecture, engineering practices, and software quality by establishing and advancing modern development methodologies, including DevSecOps, secure software development, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), automated testing, configuration management, cybersecurity, and software quality metrics.
• Provide technical leadership for the integration of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Digital Engineering, and systems engineering practices into software development, ensuring end-to-end requirements traceability, model-to-code consistency, and verification throughout the product lifecycle.
• Define software architecture and technical direction for next-generation simulation and training systems, driving interoperability, scalability, maintainability, performance, qualification compliance, and alignment with enterprise technology roadmaps.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts involving software, hardware, systems engineering, cybersecurity, modeling and simulation, and platform integration to deliver technically sound, mission-critical solutions.
• Serve as the principal technical advisor for software engineering initiatives, providing strategic guidance to engineering leadership on technology investments, architectural decisions, technical risk, product strategy, and engineering best practices.
• Lead complex technical projects by defining execution strategies, establishing technical scope, validating estimates, managing technical risk, monitoring execution, and ensuring successful delivery in collaboration with program, engineering, and business stakeholders.
• Champion innovation by identifying emerging technologies, leading research and development initiatives, developing technology roadmaps, and driving adoption of new capabilities that enhance simulation fidelity, engineering productivity, and competitive differentiation.
• Mentor and develop software engineers and technical leaders through coaching, technical guidance, code reviews, training curriculum development, and establishment of engineering best practices while fostering technical excellence across the organization.
• Represent the organization as a senior technical leader with customers, suppliers, industry partners, and professional organizations by leading technical discussions, supporting business development and proposal activities, presenting at industry conferences, contributing to technical publications, and identifying opportunities for intellectual property and patent development.
• Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes, tools, automation, documentation, planning systems, and organizational capabilities to improve quality, efficiency, predictability, and engineering execution across the software organization.
• Perform all duties in compliance with applicable safety, security, regulatory, and company policies. Maintain eligibility for and obtain a security clearance when required.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Minimum Experience

• 10+ years of software engineering experience, and demonstrated experience leading architecture and technical strategy for complex software systems

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Expert knowledge of software architecture, object-oriented design, software development lifecycle (Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid), DevSecOps, CI/CD, secure coding, automated testing, and modern software engineering best practices.
• Extensive experience developing and integrating complex, software-intensive systems with expertise in systems engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Digital Engineering, and requirements traceability.
• Strong understanding of cloud-based development environments, software lifecycle management, source control, scripting languages, development tools, and engineering automation.
• Demonstrated ability to define technical strategy, establish engineering standards, evaluate emerging technologies, and drive innovation across complex engineering organizations.
• Advanced analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop solutions for complex simulation, modeling, and software engineering challenges.
• Proven ability to interpret technical specifications, translate requirements into effective software solutions, and ensure quality throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Exceptional technical leadership with the ability to influence engineering direction, mentor technical teams, and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary organizations.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage executive leadership, customers, partners, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple technical priorities, balance strategic objectives with execution, and deliver results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to continuous learning and maintaining expertise in emerging technologies, industry standards, and software engineering advancements.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met and/or encountered by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and communicate. The employee may be required to stand, walk, and sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to view monitors, technical documents, and reference material. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.