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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer - **Company:** The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc - **Location:** Cambridge, MA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $82,300.0 - $220,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), Computer Engineering, Software Debugging, Embedded Software, Fault Tolerance, Joint Test Action (IEEE Standards), Software Architecture, Software Configuration Management, Software Engineering, Software Systems, Subsystems, Systems Modeling Language, Technical Data Management Systems, UML, Real Time Systems, System-level Testing, SC Clearance, Information Technology, Programming Languages - **Published:** May 27, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=ab062e499c3338b6 ## About the Role Do you have experience in Software engineering?, * Excellent development and troubleshooting skills on embedded targets. * Excellent knowledge of OS coding techniques٫ IP protocols٫ interfaces and hardware subsystems. * Expertise in software development for real-time systems. * Mastery of high level development languages (e.g. C/C++, Rust) * Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. * Knowledge of software configuration management tools٫ defect tracking tools٫ and peer review processes. * Excellent time management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines. * Excellent verbal and written communications skills. * Experience with UML/SysML. * Experience with in-circuit emulators, JTAG debuggers and laboratory test equipment. Education Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering. Experience Requires 5-10 years experience in Software Engineering or related., Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Active Secret clearance is preferred. ## Description Draper is looking for a highly skilled senior software engineer to join the Mission Software Architectures and Applications group. The Senior Mission Critical Software Engineer develops high performance solutions for resource constrained targets. They design and develop next-generation resilient, fault tolerant, real-time, highly reliable software solutions in the application domains of undersea, terrestrial, air, hypersonics and space. The Engineer is well-versed in the full mission-critical software development life cycle, from architecture conceptualization, requirements analysis, design and documentation through development, testing and release. They collaborate across multiple interdisciplinary teams to plan, build and test new functionality. They work on developing and debugging embedded software as well as executing software and system-level tests in various engineering environments, including complex software-in-the-loop simulations and real-time hardware-in-the-loop environments. The candidate will be expected to follow and push for continuous improvement of software development best practices on complex projects. They will also be expected to provide mentorship to more junior software engineers., * Evaluates requirements, proposes solutions, explores design trades to support a design. * Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques. * Develops embedded software based on prototype algorithms with supervision. * Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality. * Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements. * Evaluates results to establish problem causes and develop solutions for inefficient or problems. * Prepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation. * Communicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables. * Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction - contribute to requirements development and architecture solution ideation. * Ability to take responsibility for subset of engineering scope. * Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies for them. * Actively mentor less experienced engineers. * Performs other duties as assigned. ## Related Videos - [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers) - [10M Data Records Lost, Underwater Computing, and Psychedelic Fish - Matthias Geniar](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1908-10m-data-records-lost-underwater-computing-and-psychedelic-fish-matthias-geniar) - [ChatGPT and Java: A Match Made in Heaven or Hell?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/536-chatgpt-and-java-a-match-made-in-heaven-or-hell) - [Grappling With Clunky Old Software? Start by Understanding What’s Inside!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1189-grappling-with-clunky-old-software-start-by-understanding-what-s-inside) - [Develop on Windows, Deploy on Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1600-develop-on-windows-deploy-on-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [Beyond UML: Making Sense of AI-Generated Code through Visual Architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2102-beyond-uml-making-sense-of-ai-generated-code-through-visual-architecture) ## Related Articles - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers) - [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) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs)