> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/260213-copy-of-c-software-engineer-distributed-systems](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/260213-copy-of-c-software-engineer-distributed-systems). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Copy of C++ Software Engineer, Distributed Systems - **Company:** Forterra - **Location:** Arlington, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $130,000.0 - $165,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Automation of Tests, C++ (Programming Language), CMake, Linux, Distributed Systems, Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Multicasting, Routing, Mockito, Software Engineering, Test Case, ZeroMQ (Concurrent Programming Libraries), Data Logging, Real Time Systems, Grafana, Concurrency, Information Technology, Build Tools, C++14, Grpc - **Published:** May 21, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=7c9d982176a5a9b1 ## About the Role Do you have experience in Software engineering?, * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience * 8+ years of professional software engineering experience * Expert-level proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or later) * Experience with publish/subscribe or message-oriented middlewares (e.g., gRPC, DDS, ZeroMQ, MQTT, custom transports) * Strong testing fundamentals and experience developing automated tests in C++ using GoogleTest, Boost.Test, or similar frameworks (unit, integration, regression). * Familiar with best practices such as test case design, edge-case coverage, mocking/stubbing, and maintaining reliable CI-friendly test suites. * Solid understanding of distributed systems fundamentals, including: * + Replication and consistency models + Leader election and coordination + Failure detection and recovery + Concurrency and synchronization * Experience building or operating production distributed systems * Deep familiarity with Linux-based development and deployment environments * Proven ability to lead technical projects from concept through production * Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex systems clearly, * Networking expertise, including unicast/multicast, routing, and constrained or unreliable links * Experience building systems for edge environments, robotics, or embedded platforms * Familiarity with real-time or near-real-time systems * Familiarity with consensus protocols (e.g., Raft, Paxos, or variants) * Experience with CMake, Conan, Bazel, or similar build systems * Exposure to observability tools (logging, metrics, tracing) in distributed systems * Background in defense, automotive, robotics, or safety-critical software ## Description We are seeking a Senior/Staff Software Engineer to help design and build Fabric, Forterra's core distributed systems platform. This role is ideal for a senior engineer who thrives in ambiguous problem spaces, enjoys building foundational infrastructure, and has deep experience with modern C++ and distributed systems. As a Staff Engineer, you will operate at a system-wide level: shaping architecture, setting technical direction, and delivering high-impact features. You will work closely with platform, autonomy, networking, and application teams to ensure Fabric scales across products, teams, and deployment environments. This is a hands-on technical role with significant architectural ownership and cross-team influence. What you'll do * Lead the design and implementation of core Fabric services and libraries in modern C++ * Architect distributed systems that operate reliably over low-bandwidth, high-latency, and unreliable networks * Design APIs and abstractions that enable teams to register, serialize, replicate, and query arbitrary data types * Define and evolve patterns for discovery, addressing, routing, and replication across fixed and dynamic topologies * Build and maintain high-performance messaging, transport, and synchronization layers * Drive decisions around consistency models, reliability guarantees, and failure handling * Collaborate with partner teams (autonomy, TerraLink, ATAK, web, and external integrators) to ensure Fabric meets real-world requirements * Establish best practices for correctness, performance, observability, and maintainability * Contribute to long-term technical strategy, roadmap planning, and architectural reviews * Document designs clearly for both engineering and integration audiences * What Sets This Role Apart * + You'll lead projects and own subsystems + You'll build software that operates in real-world, high-consequence environments + You'll influence architecture, standards, and long-term technical direction and develop a core piece of Forterra infrastructure. ## Related Videos - [Code to Road in < 12 hours](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1082-code-to-road-in-12-hours) - [Exploring the Power of gRPC-Gateway for Writing RESTful Services](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2072-exploring-the-power-of-grpc-gateway-for-writing-restful-services) - [Robots are coming into the wild! Full-Stack Robotics Engineers, be ready!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/479-robots-are-coming-into-the-wild-full-stack-robotics-engineers-be-ready) - [Boosting OpenSearch Performance: gRPC Search in Action](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1964-boosting-opensearch-performance-grpc-search-in-action) - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) - [Boosting OpenSearch Performance: gRPC Search in Action](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1935-boosting-opensearch-performance-grpc-search-in-action) ## Related Articles - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [The Best X (Twitter) Accounts for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/294-the-best-x-twitter-accounts-for-developers) - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)