Senior Software Engineer

The primary role of the Software Engineer II is to drive research, modernization, and innovation initiatives across mission-critical systems. This role focuses on evaluating existing production environments, identifying modernization opportunities, and delivering rapid, validated solutions through structured trade studies and short-duration experiments.

You will collaborate directly with mission stakeholders to assess system gaps, design fail-fast experiments, and lead proof-of-concept development efforts that influence long-term architectural direction. Your work will directly impact modernization strategies, cloud adoption, and enterprise re-architecture efforts.

Position Responsibilities

• Engage with mission stakeholders to identify operational challenges and modernization opportunities
• Conduct trade studies and produce detailed technical research reports with actionable recommendations
• Design and execute short-duration (one-week) fail-fast experiments to validate feasibility
• Lead development of proof-of-concept solutions within six-week timelines, ensuring weekly demonstrable milestones
• Provide accurate time, scope, and resource estimates to maintain mission schedules
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate successful prototypes into operational environments
• Plan and support replatforming, rearchitecting, and refactoring of monolithic applications into cloud-native solutions
• Apply secure authentication, authorization, and PKI principles within modernized architectures
• Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and propose innovative mission-aligned solutions

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum 14 years of relevant experience in software engineering, modernization, or solution architecture
• Strong proficiency in Java, Python, and JavaScript (ReactJS)
• Experience with AWS services including EC2 and S3
• Hands-on experience with REST-based services and modern API development
• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools such as Docker and Kubernetes
• Strong understanding of authentication and authorization frameworks including OAuth2 and OpenID Connect
• Experience working with PKI and certificate management
• Experience working in Agile development environments
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Experience conducting modernization trade studies and architectural assessments
• Experience with graph databases such as Amazon Neptune or Neo4j
• Familiarity with AI/ML tools such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Hugging Face
• Experience with identity and access management platforms such as Keycloak
• Experience with CI/CD tools including Jenkins, GitLab CI, or GitHub Actions
• Familiarity with build tools such as Maven
• Experience designing scalable, cloud-native architectures for mission systems
• Ability to interpret ambiguity and translate high-level needs into technical solutions
• Comfortable guiding junior developers and organizing tasking within collaborative teams
• Experience working in fast-paced, evolving mission environments

Salary Range: $185,000 - $215,000

The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.

This is a pipeline requisition posted in advance of approved headcount for future hiring needs.

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we've been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world's most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution's permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty - and succeed. What We Do Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company's hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.