Principal Software Engineer (Clearance Required)

Sierra Space•Louisville, CO

9d•$184,628 - $253,885

About The Position

The Principal Software Engineer role involves designing, developing, and testing software applications for space systems and technologies. This advanced position requires extensive expertise in multiple programming languages, an advanced understanding of software development principles, and the ability to design, architect, and implement complex software systems. The role includes writing clean, maintainable code, collaborating with team members to understand project requirements, and contributing to the development of innovative software solutions. Additionally, this position requires a deep understanding of software engineering processes, advanced algorithmic knowledge, and system scalability. The role also involves providing technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers. In this role, you will plan and drive multidisciplinary system development initiatives and architect comprehensive systems that integrate multiple subsystems. You will resolve conflicting system requirements and ensure alignment with project objectives while collaborating with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to understand project requirements and objectives. Leading the derivation, decomposition, allocation, tracing, and management of system requirements and architectures will be a key responsibility, along with defining and documenting system concepts of operation. You will plan, define, and lead development milestone reviews, oversee system integration and verification activities to ensure system functionality and performance, and identify and manage technical risks while developing mitigation strategies. Additionally, you will contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying areas for enhancement and help define and implement corporate Systems Engineering policies and processes. Effective communication with team members and stakeholders will be essential to ensure project alignment and successful execution.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or master's +10 yrs experience)
Typically, 12+ years of related experience
Extensive expertise in multiple programming languages and software development principles
Ability to design, architect, implement, and test complex software systems
Expert understanding of software engineering processes, advanced algorithmic knowledge, domain-specific design patterns, performance tuning, and system scalability
Mastery in writing scalable, optimized code, ability to design complex software systems, and knowledge of best practices, including secure coding, and system architecture principles
Ability to independently contribute to the design and development of software applications
Experience with different software development methodologies such as Agile and Scrum/Kanban
An active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required
U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
Extensive experience with kernel-level programming
Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C++, Java) and their ecosystems
In-depth knowledge of scripting languages and automation tools
Proven experience with software development methodologies such as Agile or Kanban/Scrum
Exceptional analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail
Superior communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale software projects from inception to completion
Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills
Strong analytical skills, performance profiling, and debugging complex systems
Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with experience using collaborative tools (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)
Ability to write and maintain technical documentation
Familiarity with SysML/UML to create software designs
Experience utilizing and setting up static analysis tools

Responsibilities

Plan and drive multidisciplinary system development initiatives
Architect comprehensive systems that integrate multiple subsystems
Resolve conflicting system requirements and ensure alignment with project objectives
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to understand project requirements and objectives
Lead the derivation, decomposition, allocation, tracing, and management of system requirements and architectures
Define and document system concepts of operation
Plan, define, and lead development milestone reviews
Oversee system integration and verification activities to ensure system functionality and performance
Identify and manage technical risks while developing mitigation strategies
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying areas for enhancement
Help define and implement corporate Systems Engineering policies and processes
Write clean, maintainable code
Collaborate with team members to understand project requirements
Contribute to the development of innovative software solutions
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers
Design, architect, and implement complex software systems
Conduct unit tests
Participate in code reviews