Senior/Principal Software Engineer

Posted 2 Days Ago
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Huntsville, AL, USA
In-Office
Senior level
Aerospace
The Role
Leads development, integration, verification, and architecture of real-time embedded software for missile guidance, navigation, and control systems. Manages hardware-in-the-loop simulation labs, develops deterministic GNC software, leads validation and accreditation, supports mission planning and flight testing, and resolves field anomalies. The role requires extensive aerospace or defense software experience, C/C++ proficiency, RTOS expertise, flight-dynamics knowledge, HWIL equipment experience, and eligibility for a Secret clearance.
Summary Generated by Built In

Radiance Technologies, a rapidly growing employee-owned company, 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. In this role, you will be the bridge between flight dynamics theory and real-time embedded execution, owning the software architecture for Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), managing complex Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation labs, and supporting end-to-end flight test campaigns.


Key Responsibilities

1. GNC & Embedded Software Development

  • Design, implement, integrate, and verify mission-critical missile software, focusing heavily on GNC algorithms, autopilot loops, and flight control laws.
  • Translate complex mathematical flight dynamics models into high-performance, deterministic, real-time code.
  • Utilize Model-Based Design (MBD) frameworks (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink auto-coding) to transition control algorithms seamlessly into target hardware.

2. Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) & Simulation Management

  • Architect, maintain, and expand HWIL test environments, integrating flight computers, inertial measurement units (IMUs), actuation systems, and sensor suites.
  • Plan and execute rigorous HWIL test campaigns to validate software performance against simulated aerodynamic threats, target profiles, and environmental disturbances.
  • Troubleshoot complex, multi-domain system failures spanning software logic, digital/analog signal interfaces, and physical hardware behavior.

3. Verification, Validation, & Accreditation (VV&A)

  • Lead VV&A activities for simulation environments, software-only test beds, and HWIL facilities to ensure high fidelity and traceability to system requirements.
  • Develop automated test scripts and regression suites to support continuous integration and rapid deployment of software updates.

4. Pre-Flight Support & Mission Planning

  • Collaborate with systems engineering and flight test teams to execute pre-flight activities, including missile flyout predictions, trajectory simulations, and safety analysis.
  • Define and optimize Restricted Operating Zones (ROZ), range safety limits, and mission scripts for live-fire or captive-carry tests.

5. Field Deployment & Discrepancy Resolution

  • Apply deep flight-dynamics and systems-level knowledge to root-cause analysis, anomaly investigation, and discrepancy resolution during test execution.
  • Deploy to remote test ranges, proving grounds, or integration facilities as required to support pre-test checkouts, launch operations, and post-flight data reduction.

 

Required Qualifications & Technical Stack

  • Experience: 10+ years of professional software engineering experience specifically within aerospace, defense, or missile systems.
  • Education: B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • Core Programming Languages: Advanced proficiency in C and C++ for real-time embedded environments; familiarity with Python or MATLAB for scripting and analysis.
  • Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS): Experience developing safety-critical software on RTOS platforms (e.g., VxWorks, Linux with PREEMPT_RT).
  • Domain Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of flight dynamics, 6-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) simulation, aerodynamics, and control theory.
  • HWIL & Lab Equipment: Proven background managing HWIL labs using real-time simulation hardware (e.g., dSPACE, National Instruments PXI/CompactRIO, Speedgoat) and communication protocols (MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet/UDP, ARINC 429, RS-422).
  • Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret

 

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience with safety-critical software development standards (e.g., DO-178C or equivalent military standards).
  • Familiarity with Agile development workflows, configuration management tools (Git, SVN), and requirements traceability tools (DOORS, Jira).
  • Hands-on experience with sensor simulation or seeker-in-the-loop (SIL) testing.

Radiance Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Skills Required

  • 10+ years of professional software engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or missile systems
  • Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree 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
  • Working knowledge of flight dynamics, 6-DOF simulation, aerodynamics, and control theory
  • Experience managing HWIL labs using real-time simulation hardware and communication protocols
  • Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance
  • Experience with DO-178C or equivalent military software standards
  • Familiarity with Agile workflows and configuration management tools such as Git or SVN
  • Experience with DOORS and Jira
  • Hands-on sensor simulation or seeker-in-the-loop testing experience

Radiance Technologies Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Radiance Technologies and has not been reviewed or approved by Radiance Technologies.

  • Retirement Support — Retirement contributions are described as generous, combining ESOP ownership with 401(k) profit sharing to build long-term wealth. A defined vesting schedule and recurring contributions reinforce the reliability of this component.
  • Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is characterized as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability. Wellness features such as on-site fitness and structured programs further bolster perceived health support.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility — Employee ownership via an ESOP is positioned as a meaningful wealth builder, with company stock value growth cited as an upside. Additional vehicles such as cash bonuses and synthetic appreciation rights add to perceived equity value.

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The Company
HQ: Huntsville, AL
905 Employees
Year Founded: 1999

What We Do

Radiance Technologies, Inc. is an employee-owned small business prime contractor. Radiance leads the way in developing government and commercial customer-focused solutions. Leveraging its record of technical innovation and operational expertise, Radiance Technologies offers: • Cyber Solutions • Systems Engineering • Technology Development, Production, Testing, and Evaluation • Technology Application • Intelligence Community Support • Government Program Support The company’s 900+ employees in 15+ U.S. and international offices serve customers in the Department of Defense (DOD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the national intelligence community, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), other government organizations, and selected commercial customers. Radiance Technologies continues to attract and retain talented motivated employees by being an employee-owned company – founded with the idea of providing an environment, a benefits package, and a stock ownership plan that are second to none. For more information, visit www.radiancetech.com. Radiance Technologies, Inc. – Concepts to Capabilities®

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