Senior/Principal Software Engineer

Radiance Technologies•Huntsville, AL

20h

About The Position

Radiance Technologies is seeking a seasoned Senior/Principal Software Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, and verification of software for advanced missile and guided-projectile systems. The role bridges flight dynamics theory and real-time embedded execution, with responsibility for Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) software architecture, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation labs, and support for end-to-end flight test campaigns. The engineer develops mission-critical missile software, including GNC algorithms, autopilot loops, and flight control laws, and translates mathematical flight-dynamics models into deterministic real-time code. The role also uses Model-Based Design frameworks to transition control algorithms to target hardware; architects and manages HWIL test environments; leads verification, validation, and accreditation activities; supports pre-flight planning and safety analysis; and investigates discrepancies during test execution. Deployment to remote test ranges, proving grounds, or integration facilities may be required.

Requirements

At least 10 years of professional software engineering experience specifically in aerospace, defense, or missile systems.
B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Advanced proficiency in C and C++ for real-time embedded environments.
Familiarity with Python or MATLAB for scripting and analysis.
Experience developing safety-critical software on RTOS platforms, such as VxWorks or Linux with PREEMPT_RT.
Strong working knowledge of flight dynamics, 6-DOF simulation, aerodynamics, and control theory.
Proven background managing HWIL labs using real-time simulation hardware such as dSPACE, National Instruments PXI/CompactRIO, or Speedgoat.
Experience with communication protocols such as MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet/UDP, ARINC 429, or RS-422.
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with safety-critical software development standards such as DO-178C or equivalent military standards.
Familiarity with Agile development workflows.
Familiarity with configuration management tools such as Git or SVN.
Familiarity with requirements traceability tools such as DOORS or Jira.
Hands-on experience with sensor simulation or seeker-in-the-loop testing.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, integrate, and verify mission-critical missile software, focusing on GNC algorithms, autopilot loops, and flight control laws.
Translate mathematical flight-dynamics models into high-performance, deterministic, real-time code.
Use Model-Based Design frameworks, such as MATLAB/Simulink auto-coding, to transition control algorithms to target hardware.
Architect, maintain, and expand HWIL test environments integrating flight computers, IMUs, actuation systems, and sensor suites.
Plan and execute HWIL test campaigns to validate software against simulated aerodynamic threats, target profiles, and environmental disturbances.
Troubleshoot system failures across software logic, digital and analog signal interfaces, and physical hardware behavior.
Lead VV&A activities for simulation environments, software-only test beds, and HWIL facilities, ensuring fidelity and traceability to system requirements.
Develop automated test scripts and regression suites to support continuous integration and rapid software updates.
Collaborate with systems engineering and flight test teams on pre-flight activities, including missile flyout predictions, trajectory simulations, and safety analysis.
Define and optimize Restricted Operating Zones, range safety limits, and mission scripts for live-fire or captive-carry tests.
Perform root-cause analysis, anomaly investigation, and discrepancy resolution during test execution.
Deploy to remote test ranges, proving grounds, or integration facilities to support pre-test checkouts, launch operations, and post-flight data reduction.