Senior Flight Software Engineer

Lead the development of flight software built for demanding, resource-constrained platforms across air, space, undersea, and hypersonic domains. At The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., you will own the end-to-end embedded software lifecycle with a security-by-design mindset and incorporate lightweight DevSecOps practices. This onsite role in Cambridge, MA offers the opportunity to tackle complex real-time challenges, drive technical risk mitigation, and mentor less experienced engineers.

What You’ll Do

• Evaluate requirements, propose solutions, and explore design trades to support effective system design.
• Design algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques.
• Develop embedded software from prototype algorithms with supervision.
• Analyze design choices to demonstrate performance and required functionality.
• Develop and execute software tests to verify compliance with requirements.
• Review results to identify root causes of inefficient performance or problems and develop solutions.
• Prepare technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
• Coordinate with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and explain design approach and deliverables.
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction, including contributing to requirements development and architecture ideation.
• Take responsibility for a subset of the engineering scope.
• Identify program and system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• Real-time C/C++ (or Rust) development for aerospace-grade hardware.
• 5-10 years of real-time C/C++ (or Rust) development for aerospace-grade hardware.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and collaborate closely with hardware, systems, and cyber-security teams.
• A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance (clearance is required for selected applicants; preferred if already held).
• Excellent development and troubleshooting skills on embedded targets.
• Excellent knowledge of OS coding techniques, IP protocols, interfaces, and hardware subsystems.
• Expertise in software development for real-time systems.
• Mastery of high-level development languages such as C/C++ and Rust.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of software configuration management tools, defect tracking tools, and peer review processes.
• Excellent time management with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with UML/SysML.
• Experience with in-circuit emulators, JTAG debuggers, and laboratory test equipment.

Technologies

C/C++, Rust, UML/SysML

Location and Compensation

Cambridge, MA (onsite) • USD 62,500 - 275,000 per year

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.