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# Senior/Principal Software Engineer

- **Company:** Radiance Technologies, Inc.
- **Location:** Huntsville, AL, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Agile Methodology, Systems Engineering, JIRA, Automation of Tests, Communications Protocols, Computer Programming, Continuous Integration, Data Reduction, Linux, DSpace, Embedded Software, Ethernet, Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Python (Programming Language), MATLAB, Real-Time Operating Systems, Real Time Simulation, Requirements Traceability, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, Subversion, Test Execution Engine, VxWorks, Scripting, Model-Driven Development, Git, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Information Technology, DO-178B, Software Performance
- **Published:** October 22, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9263022/seniorprincipal-software-engineer

## About the Role

* 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, * 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.

## Description

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.