Title: Lead Software Engineer
Reports to: Director of Software Development
Classification: Exempt
Labor Category: Lead Software Engineer
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Location: Niceville, FL; Remote

Job Summary:

The Lead Software Engineer (LSE) will lead software development efforts using C/C++ and other programming languages as required. The LSE will be responsible for the design, coding, testing, debugging, and documenting of new or existing software as well as defining and recommending system enhancements and solutions for system design and development problems. Additionally, this individual will be responsible for the creation of system and subsystem documentation and is expected to meet project deadlines in a timely manner. The LSE is expected to analyze, recommend, and implement proposed new technologies in support of technical goals, as well as execute larger scale design efforts and various development and testing efforts without supervision. The LSE also architects overall solution software design in conjunction with hardware design and integration efforts and will lead creation of complete technical proposals and other written efforts and develop value proposition statements and other key technical inputs to business development efforts.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Is and remains up to date on latest APIs and development standards
• Develops cross-platform applications using C/C++
• Analyzes existing C/C++ in order to determine underlying functionality
• Develops and maintains code and integrates software components into a fully functional software system
• Analyzes customer requirements and designs software solutions that both meet the customer s needs and align with the company s long-term strategic goals
• Translates customer-provided documentation and other data into state machines, empirical models, numerical models, and other simulations of aircraft and other mechanical system s behavior and logic that are capable of interfacing with real-time interactive virtual simulations
• Utilizes and designs application programming interfaces while integrating developed software components within a complete solution environment
• Implements software in accordance with design specifications and in compliance with company standards and procedures
• Creates and updates design documents, master feature lists, etc.
• Scopes development work accurately and in-line with time and cost constraints
• Applies quality assurance standards throughout the entire development lifecycle in compliance with company procedures and industry best practices
• Troubleshoots software issues and thinks creatively to resolve technical challenges and limitations
• Tests and debugs own work, and other s work, to reduce time spent in the formal QC process
• Communicates with team and project management in a timely and effective manner
• Provides technical documentation for both internal and external stakeholders
• Assists with test procedures and documentation of test results to meet software system requirements
• Supports the technical solution design process during the Capture and Bid & Proposal phases of the business development lifecycle (BDL) including input needed to shape requirements and working with engineering teams and partner businesses to develop, scope, and describe detailed technical approaches
• For awarded programs and during the requirements phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), supports Design Document and Software Requirement Specification Document development with customers, business staff, and engineering teams
• During the product development phase, continually documents system architectures, supports feature planning and aligns with customer and contract requirements, and manages and coordinates hardware and software integration efforts with partner companies
• During the product testing phase coordinates test planning and execution at corporate-site and corporate-managed customer locations in addition to coordinating feature and integration testing with partner company staff
• During the product delivery phase supports work with corporate- and customer-site company staff and partner company staff to coordinate logistics, user acceptance testing, and maintenance and feedback planning

Competencies

• Ability to create products with extremely high attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to successfully manage and meet multiple, simultaneous project deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while demonstrating the initiative to complete projects with minimum supervision
• Ability to work independently and as part of a project team
• Ability to change and adapt to new or changing project requirements
• Willingness to learn and improve

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Work Environment
This job operates in an office or home office environment.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and work on a computer for long periods of time. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, and kneel. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 10 pounds as needed. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Additionally, this position will require daily use of various XR head mounted displays.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Some flexibility in hours is allowed, but the employee must be available during the core work hours of 0900 - 1600. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel:
Limited travel is expected for this position (3 – 5 times per year).

Required Education, Experience, and Skills:

• 10+ years of related experience
• Bachelor s or Master s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent with relevant software design and development expertise
• Experience in programming with C/C++
• Experience with various forms of software development and management (Agile, DevOps, etc.)
• Experience with various forms of software configuration management (Git, Mercurial, SVN, etc.)
• Experience with working across the SDLC
• Strong understanding of the fundamentals of software engineering principles and how to apply them to design and develop robust, efficient, scalable, and maintainable applications
• Strong collaboration and communication skills within distributed project teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong problem solving, analytical, and debugging skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, independently, and within a collaborative team-oriented environment using sound judgment in decision-making
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, time-critical work environment
• Ability to obtain government security clearance required, active clearance a plus

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills:

• 15+ years of related experience
• Master s or Doctoral degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent with relevant software design and development expertise

• Experience with game engines, image generators, and/or flight simulation frameworks (e.g., Unreal, VBS, VRSG, NOR, MSFS, Prepar3D, or X-Plane)
• Experience designing and developing virtual and mixed-reality software
• Experience implementing and iteratively improving aerodynamics and system models in common simulation frameworks
• Experience analyzing, building, testing, evaluating, and selecting hierarchies of open-source libraries for inclusion into larger and more complex software structures to address specific design and functionality challenges
• Experience with applied aerodynamics

• Experience with empirical and numerical simulation of aircraft and/or mechanical systems
• Experience with programming for and operating multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux/Unix, Android) for embedded, real-time, and non-real-time applications
• Experience developing applications with network interface communication requirements including UDP and TCP/IP on multiple platforms (Windows, Linux/Unix, Android)

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Background checks- criminal, civil, employment, and education required. Drug screening in compliance with drug-free workplace standards. Ability to obtain a federal government clearance when required for projects.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Vertex Solutions, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and prohibits, in all employment-related practices and decisions, discrimination, harassment, or prejudicial treatment against any person based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, age, disability, veteran status, or otherwise as provided by federal, state, or local law.