Software Engineer - Defense R&D

Are you interested in creating mission critical software to support our warfighter? Do you want to work on a team developing new and emerging technologies? Are you open to new ideas, collaborating with teammates, teaching, and learning from others? If this is the kind of person you are, DS2 invites you to apply for a spot on our team! We are looking to add additional on-site Software Developers, with various levels of experience to our Scrum teams.  

Who Is DS2?

DS2 provides full life-cycle software engineering services to DoD, federal, and commercial clients using mature Agile, Scrum, and SAFe practices. We are an organization that is committed to teamwork with a clear focus on the customer and a belief that hiring talented individuals will help us meet our vision of “Engineered to Exceed Expectations”.

Every day, DS2 engineers meet our clients' needs through problem-solving, teamwork, and technology-driven solutions. You can expect to work with a team of committed engineers that exemplify our core values and an environment where playing hard is just as important as working hard. We are always looking for individuals with a knowledge and passion for coding and a willingness to improve their abilities and learn new skills.

Responsibilities – What You’ll Do:

• Be a part of an agile team that works together to organize, manage, and complete their work on products.
• Play a key role in designing, developing, deploying, and demonstrating applications.
• Work with your team to test, develop, peer review, and continuously integrate changes into the code base.
• Integrate sensors and unmanned platforms (UAS/UGV) for damage detection tasks. 
• Build and maintain applications using Windows desktop technologies like WPF using MVVM patterns.
• Develop and deploy a variety of Android applications using Kotlin or Java.
• Build distributed mission-critical applications using microservices deployed via containers.
• Develop AI/ML models for robotic perception, damage assessment, and autonomy.
• Implement perception pipelines for identifying/classifying UXO, debris, and surface damage.
• Conduct research for, report on, and create proof-of-concepts and prototypes for R&D projects.
• Support fieldable prototypes delivering rapid capability into the Warfighter's hands.
• Execute manual or automated sUAS flights while maintaining safety and monitoring weather conditions.
• Operate sensors, cameras, or LiDAR to gather high-quality imagery or aerial data.
• Run test and evaluation of software on robotics applications while interacting directly with the hardware.

Qualifications - We Need Someone Who:

• Graduate of an accredited university with at least a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in an engineering discipline, computer science or equivalent and at least 5 years of RDT&E experience since graduation.
• Specific experience related to unmanned systems, autonomous systems, sensor/payload integration or software/hardware integration is required.
• Must have experience in writing technical papers and executing RDT&E activities independently.
• Actively programs in one or more of the following languages: C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Kotlin or Python.
• Has experience integrating hardware (sensors, actuators, controllers) with software applications.
• Provides on going support and troubleshooting for integrated systems to ensure mission continuity.
• Experience related to unmanned systems, autonomous systems, sensor/payload integration or software/hardware integration
• Experience in writing technical papers and executing RDT&E activities
• Manages time well and can prioritize tasks to ensure projects are completed on time.
• Engages with teammates, both virtually and face-to-face, to plan projects, seek out or provide help on issues, as well as present solutions to clients.
• Has experience related to unmanned systems, autonomous systems, sensor/payload integration or software/hardware integration is required.
• Is a U.S. Citizen and able to complete a U.S. government background investigation. 

Preferred - It's even better if you:

• Have a firm understanding of Human Factors Engineering (HFE) to reduce operator load and improve CE mission usability.
• Have proven experience building Windows platform desktop and client/server applications using C#, WPF, and SQL.
• Can build robust, scalable, event-driven backends that are service-based or use structures such as microservices using containerization.
• Have proven experience building Android applications using Java or Kotlin.
• Have any experience with Android Tactical Assault Kit development (TAK, ATAK, WinTAK).
• Have proven experience introducing AI tools and solutions into operations.
• Are proficient with source control software like TFS, Git, or Bitbucket.
• Have a sUAS pilot license (Part 107) and Technical proficiency with drone flight software and hardware.
• Have used Software Development Lifecycle tools suites like Azure DevOps or Atlassian.
• Have examples of code we can check out, like GitHub or SourceForge repositories, any applications you've built, pet projects, or submissions to hackathons and/or game jams.
• Received one or more Scrum, Microsoft or Google Developer certifications or any other technical certifications.

Benefits — What we do for you:

• Flexible work schedule
• Educational opportunities
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Student loan repayment
  • Certification reimbursement + bonuses
• Excellent healthcare, dental, and vision coverage, including STD, LTD, and AD&D
• Generous paid time off + holidays
• 401K savings plan with company-matching contributions of up to 4%
• Sponsored community and volunteer events, like beach cleanups, 5Ks, and more

Securing Your Data:

Beware of fake employment opportunities using DS2 LLC’s name. DS2 LLC will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will DS2 LLC ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, DS2 LLC will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the DS2.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from DS2 LLC that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by visiting our website ad www.ds2.com and clicking the Contact tab.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements for this job's performance. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.