Scientist, Software Engineering

L3Harris•Carlsbad, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Software Engineer Scientist to modernize a legacy real-time embedded C/C++ codebase, incorporating memory-safe concepts and ensuring compliance with the latest NSA security requirements. This leader will be vital in shaping technical strategies, mentoring the engineering team, and ensuring the successful adoption of modern secure coding practices within a high-assurance cryptographic system. Alongside leading immediate modernization efforts, this role involves developing strategies and long-term technical visions to extend the design for future products and systems. The position requires onsite work in a secure facility and an active DoD Secret clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field) and a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience.
Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
Active DoD Secret clearance (minimum) and the ability to work onsite in a secure facility.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 12 years of professional experience in software engineering, including at least 8 years in C/C++ embedded systems development.
Proven leadership experience managing small-to-mid-sized software teams.
Familiarity with DoD/National Security Agency software standards
Strong communication skills with the ability to brief executives and government stakeholders on technical topics.
Demonstrated expertise in identifying and mitigating memory safety vulnerabilities in legacy codebases.
Hands-on experience with modern tools for static/dynamic code analysis, fuzz testing, sanitizers, and secure coding frameworks.
Comfortable using both Linux and Windows operating systems (including command line) for daily software development tasks.
Solid understanding of software development methodolgies (i.e. Waterfall, Agile/SCRUM, etc.)
Familarity with software configuration management tools (i.e. Git, Perforce, Clearcase, etc.)
Background in high-assurance or safety-critical systems (e.g., avionics, defense)
Proficiency with Makefiles and embedded build tools (e.g., cross-compilers, linkers, debuggers).
Experience in integrating and debugging software on embedded targets, including the use of JTAG and hardware/software debug tools.
Experience developing low-level device drivers and interfaces that interact with FPGAs using memory-mapped registers, interrupts, and related techniques.
Continuous Integration & Development (CI/CD) experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the technical effort to refactor and modernize the embedded C/C++ software baseline with memory-safe principles.
Translate NSA security and robustness requirements into actionable engineering tasks.
Establish coding standards, design patterns, and automated analysis/testing pipelines that enforce memory safety.
Guide the adoption of modern programming practices, tools, and frameworks to mitigate memory safety vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows, use-after-free, and race conditions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (systems engineering, cybersecurity, testing, and integration) to ensure requirements traceability and compliance.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to the software engineering team, fostering a culture of secure, modern, and maintainable code.
Actively participate in technical conversations across the BCS to help develop/recommend strategies and articulate a forward-looking vision to extend the design for future information assurance products and systems.
Serve as the primary technical interface with stakeholders, government customers, and leadership on compliance progress and risk mitigation.
Support Cost Account Management (CAM) responsibilities, including tasks related to proposal development, resource management, and schedule planning and status updates.