Software Engineer II (UAV/USV)

Ideal Aerosmith is a leading supplier of precision inertial guidance test systems, flight motion simulators, innovative defense solutions in support of the warfighter, and a premier provider of aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing services to the aerospace industry. We're experts and we earn that title everyday with our customers through innovative engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment of world-class motion and electric test solutions and services. 

Here, we don’t just solve complex problems - we redefine what’s possible. Every role at Ideal Aerosmith supports a lean culture through continuous improvement - ongoing, incremental enhancements to products, processes, or services aimed at reducing waste and boosting efficiency, customer service, and performance. With a team of skilled problem solvers and a culture that thrives on tackling challenges head-on, we are dedicated to our clients' success. Enjoy competitive benefits, a supportive work environment, and every other Friday off to recharge. 

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically capable Software Engineer II to support the design, development, integration, modernization, and sustainment of software systems for our Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) programs. This position reports within the Engineering IPT structure and works closely with Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, and Production teams to ensure software solutions are robust, secure, scalable, and production-ready.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in distributed systems, cloud architectures, DevSecOps practices, containerization technologies, and embedded software development. This role will support both mission software and infrastructure environments, including secure Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) deployments, real-time data systems, and production-integrated embedded components. The focus of this role will include containerizing legacy hardware- and software-dependent applications and porting them to modern, server-based, containerized infrastructures capable of supporting scalable, mission-critical operations.

Job Responsibilities

Software Development & System Architecture

• Design, develop, test, and maintain mission software and distributed systems supporting UAV and USV platforms, including real-time data processing, system orchestration, and web-based control interfaces.
• Develop embedded software components and integrate them with higher-level distributed services and system control architectures.
• Develop backend services, APIs, and user interfaces supporting command, control, monitoring, and data visualization functions.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering to implement requirements-compliant software architectures with full traceability to customer specifications.

Legacy System Modernization & Containerization

• Containerize legacy software applications and associated services using modern container technologies, enabling migration from hardware-dependent deployments to server-based, scalable infrastructures.
• Lead efforts to port legacy hardware-bound or monolithic applications into modular, containerized architectures suitable for deployment in secure on-premises or cloud-hosted environments.
• Support modernization efforts that transition legacy systems into secure, maintainable, and production-ready containerized environments.

Infrastructure, Security & DevSecOps

• Support deployment and testing on secure Linux-based environments, ensuring compliance with DoD cybersecurity and STIG requirements.
• Assist in automating build, deployment, and monitoring pipelines using modern DevSecOps practices to support secure and repeatable software releases.
• Support implementation of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) strategies for development, test, and production environments.
• Contribute to accreditation support activities, including documentation and remediation required for Government system approval processes.

Integration, Testing & Production Support

• Support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and integration testing efforts to ensure reliable interaction between embedded systems, avionics, sensors, and mission payloads.
• Diagnose and resolve software defects, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions to enhance system reliability.
• Collaborate with Production and Manufacturing teams to ensure software configurations are stable, repeatable, and scalable for low-rate initial production and transition-to-rate builds.
• Participate in Agile/Scrum development cycles, code reviews, sprint planning, and technical design reviews.
• Support development of required technical documentation, including software design descriptions, interface control documents (ICDs), test procedures, and configuration management artifacts required for Government customers.

Qualification Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
• 3–7 years of professional experience developing distributed, embedded, or mission-critical software systems.
• Experience modernizing legacy software systems or migrating applications to containerized or server-based environments.
• Experience working in Linux-based environments and secure system deployments.
• Experience with containerization technologies and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with DoD cybersecurity requirements, STIG remediation, or secure system hardening is preferred.
• Exposure to embedded systems, signal processing, or hardware/software integration is a plus.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Ability to travel (domestic and internationally) and obtain a passport. 
• Due to federal contract requirements, candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3).

Skill Requirements 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with demonstrated experience troubleshooting complex distributed, containerized, or embedded systems.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary IPT environment supporting hardware and software integration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief technical status to engineering leadership and Government stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt to changing program priorities and support rapid prototyping and iterative development cycles.
• Experience working within Agile/Scrum development environments.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work for extended periods at a computer workstation and use a keyboard.
• Ability to walk, stand, crouch, or support integration activities in laboratory or hangar environments as required.
• Ability to lift and/or carry up to 45 lbs as needed for hardware integration activities. 

Salary Range: $85,000-$115,000 annually.

This salary range represents a good faith estimate of the base compensation for this position. Actual base compensation will be determined based on multiple factors, including location, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s qualifications, internal equity, experience, education, skills, and prevailing market conditions. In exceptional cases, compensation above this range may be considered based on experience, skills, or business needs. 

This position is eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus based on individual and company performance. Overtime eligibility, if applicable, will be determined in accordance with federal and state law.

Ideal Aerosmith additionally offers a comprehensive benefits program, which includes health, dental, vision, and voluntary benefits; 401K with company match; company-paid holidays; every other Friday off; and paid time off for vacation and personal time

Ideal Aerosmith is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our goal is to create a work environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion, where all employees feel respected and valued. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and strive to provide equal employment opportunities to everyone.