Mission Software Engineer

Job Description 

• Mission Software Engineer
• Full Time
• Onsite / Hybrid / Remote

We are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer with Python experience to build and integrate concept capabilities for Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) autonomy and mission software platform. This role sits at the intersection of operational user interfaces, Python-based integration services, simulation-driven demonstrations, and vessel-adjacent software systems.

You will help integrate and develop capabilities around the MV-20 sensor and mission software stack, connecting data from vessel systems, payloads, and sensors into useful operator-facing workflows. This includes building software to ingest, translate, visualize, and exercise sensor data such as GPS/IMU, AIS, radar tracks or detections, health/status information, other platform telemetry, and various other sensors/systems.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working across the full concept-integration path: writing Python adapters and tooling, connecting to real-time data streams, supporting simulation and replay, developing Svelte/SvelteKit interfaces, and troubleshooting multi-service deployments. This is not a traditional web application role. It is a hands-on embedded/software integration role focused on bringing sensors, autonomy concepts, and operator-facing capabilities together on a USV platform quickly, credibly, and in a maintainable manner.

Duties & Responsibilities 

USV Concept Delivery (Integration-Focused)

• Deliver integrated concept demonstrations for USV workflows such as mission planning, integrating sensors, route execution monitoring, geofencing, vehicle status/health, and operator oversight.
• Connect UI experiences to simulation/backends so demos reflect realistic vessel behaviors (telemetry cadence, state transitions, fault conditions, and mission events).

Backend & Tooling (Python)

• Develop Python utilities and lightweight services to support concepts (adapters, data shaping, simulation hooks, replay tools, CLI utilities).
• Implement or integrate real-time interfaces (REST/WebSockets/streaming, pub/sub) to support high-rate telemetry and event-driven updates.

Orchestration & Distributed Systems

• Work across containerized and orchestrated deployments: Docker, Docker Compose, Kubernetes.
• Integrate with and troubleshoot distributed messaging architectures common in autonomy stacks (e.g., Redis, DDS, pub/sub, streaming pipelines).
• Diagnose cross-service issues: networking, service discovery, QoS/config mismatches, environment variables, build/run drift, and runtime logs.

Quality & Maintainability

• Add pragmatic test coverage (unit tests for core logic; smoke/e2e tests for mission flows) to keep concepts demo-ready.
• Produce clear runbooks for “push-button” demos: environment setup, data sources, simulation configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications 

• BS in Computer Science/Engineering (or equivalent professional experience).
• 3+ years working experience with Python for services, tooling, or automation scripts.
• Familiarity with autonomy/robotics concepts (mission states, control modes, fail-safes, safety constraints).
• Exposure to maritime/USV data sources (GPS/IMU, AIS, radar integration concepts, NMEA/NMEA2000).
• Experience supporting simulation-driven integration and replay (recorded logs, deterministic playback, scenario config).
• Experience with telemetry and messaging systems (Redis pub/sub, DDS, MQTT, Kafka, etc.).
• Experience integrating systems using APIs and real-time patterns (REST, WebSockets, streaming, pub/sub).
• Currently holds an active U.S. national security clearance or be able to receive and maintain one.  

Clearance Requirements 

Some positions will require access to U.S. National Security information. Positions that require this access will be required to receive and maintain a U.S. government personnel security clearance (PCL). In order to qualify for this position, the candidate must be a US Citizen and either currently possess this National Security eligibility or be able to complete the investigation application process with a favorable determination and maintain that eligibility throughout their employment. 

Work Environment / Location

This position offers flexible work arrangements, including fully on-site, hybrid, or remote with frequent travel options. For on-site/hybrid options the location is Panama City, FL. Remote candidates must be willing to travel frequently (monthly or quarterly) to Panama City, FL. All candidates must be willing to travel (quarterly) to various remote test locations.

The position involves collaboration with cross-functional teams and hands-on work supporting orchestrated software stacks for USV concepts, sensors, integration, and demos.

Pay Scales & Benefits 

The listed pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this position for the location for which it has been posted and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Other compensation considerations may include, but are not limited to, job responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, or other applicable factors. 

Benefits include… 

Paid Time Off 

Paid Company Holidays 

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance 

Optional HSA and FSA 

Base and Voluntary Life Insurance 

Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance 

401k Matching 

Employee Assistance Program 

The pay range for this role:

100,940 - 147,000 USD per year