Job ID: 2505354
Location: ARLINGTON, VA, US
Date Posted: 2025-05-06
Category: Software
Subcategory: SW Systems Engr
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time
Minimum Clearance Required: Secret
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: TS/SCI
Potential for Remote Work: Yes
Description
We are looking for a highly skilled Principal Software Systems Engineer to take a leadership role in the design, development, and integration of complex software systems. This position requires deep expertise in software architecture, systems engineering, and large-scale software integrations. As a Principal Software Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for driving the technical direction, leading design efforts, and overseeing the delivery of high-performance, secure, and scalable systems that meet the strategic needs of the business. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of software, hardware, and network components.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Software Architecture: Deep knowledge of designing scalable, maintainable, and high-performance software systems.
• Programming Expertise: Proficiency in multiple programming languages (e.g., C++, Python, Java, Go) and strong familiarity with modern development frameworks and tools.
• Kafka Integration: Expertise in integrating Apache Kafka into large-scale systems, including the configuration of Kafka brokers, producers, consumers, and stream processing.
• Systems Integration: Expertise in integrating software with hardware systems, network infrastructure, and cloud-based solutions.
• Cloud & Distributed Systems: Extensive experience in cloud-native architectures, microservices, and distributed system design. Familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Security & Compliance: Strong understanding of software security best practices and the ability to implement secure software solutions across integrated systems.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Proven experience leading teams of engineers, providing technical mentorship, and fostering collaboration across departments.
• Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Cloud Computing: In-depth experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, particularly in designing cloud-native applications and services.
• DevOps & Automation: Experience with DevOps practices, infrastructure as code (e.g., Terraform, Ansible), and CI/CD pipelines.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile frameworks (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) and the ability to drive high-quality, iterative development.
• Networking & Embedded Systems: Knowledge of network protocols, real-time systems, and experience with embedded systems is a plus.
• Project Management: Ability to balance technical leadership with project management, ensuring projects are delivered on time and meet business objectives.

• System Architecture & Design: Lead the design and development of sophisticated software systems, including distributed architectures, real-time systems, and cloud-based applications. Define and document high-level system architecture, design principles, and technical roadmaps.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Act as a technical leader within the team, providing guidance, mentoring, and technical direction to engineers. Lead architectural reviews, design discussions, and ensure adherence to best practices across the engineering team.
• Software Development & Optimization: Oversee the design and implementation of software solutions, ensuring high-quality, maintainable, and scalable code. Lead efforts in performance tuning, debugging, and optimization for large-scale systems.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with product managers, hardware engineers, network engineers, and other stakeholders to define system requirements and ensure seamless integration between software, hardware, and network components.
• Systems Integration & Validation: Lead the integration of software systems with complex hardware and network infrastructures. Oversee end-to-end validation and testing to ensure systems meet performance, reliability, and security requirements.
• Kafka Integration: Design and implement systems utilizing Apache Kafka for real-time data streaming, event-driven architectures, and building fault-tolerant, scalable messaging systems. Lead the integration of Kafka into existing systems, ensuring high throughput, low latency, and fault tolerance.
• Innovation & Technology Evaluation: Stay current on emerging technologies and industry trends, and lead the adoption of new tools, frameworks, and methodologies that improve the development process and system performance.
• Strategic Planning: Contribute to the long-term technical strategy and roadmap for software systems. Ensure that systems are built with future scalability and business needs in mind.
• Quality & Best Practices: Establish and enforce software development standards, best practices, and quality metrics. Advocate for code reviews, continuous integration, and automated testing processes.
• Documentation & Communication: Lead the creation of detailed technical documentation, including system designs, APIs, and architectural diagrams. Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders and executives.
  Qualifications

U.S. Citizenship and an active Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI.

• Bachelor’s degree and 9+ years, or a Master’s and 7+ years of experience in software engineering and systems design, with a proven track record in designing and delivering complex software systems at scale.
• At least 3-5 years in a leadership or principal engineer role, driving architecture, design, and integration of software systems.
• Significant experience with distributed systems, cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, etc.), and integrating software with hardware and network components.
• Expertise in system architecture, software design patterns, and large-scale system integration.
• Hands-on experience with performance tuning, scalability, and optimizing software for reliability and efficiency in production environments.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing Apache Kafka-based solutions, including real-time data streaming, event-driven architectures, and message queuing systems.