Principal Software Engineer – Mission Systems
Founded in 2004 with locations in Atlanta, GA, Fort Worth, TX, Denver, CO, & Huntsale, AL, Thompson Software Solutions (TSS) is a mission-driven Aerospace and Defense software and systems engineering company supporting the U.S. military, defense primes, and commercial space partners. We specialize in the development, integration, test, and deployment of safety & mission-critical software systems that power next-generation aircraft, defense platforms, and space technologies. Our team understands what it takes to modernize complex embedded systems while maintaining the rigor, compliance, and reliability required for mission and safety-critical environments.
About the role
Thompson Software Solutions is seeking a Principal Software Engineer – Mission Systems to support the design, development, integration, and testing of software that enables core mission capabilities within complex avionics architectures. This role encompasses mission computing, tactical & mission data links, displays, electronic warfare, aircraft sensor integration and fusion, communications, navigation, and weapon system software development and integration to deliver cohesive, real-time operational functionality. The position offers the opportunity to directly impact mission effectiveness by enabling situational awareness, decision support, and coordinated execution across advanced military aviation systems.
This position requires a software engineer to use a wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in the software field to develop, integrate, and test software products. The successful candidate will be a member of a high-performing multi-site team and must be self-motivated with a strong work ethic, time-management, and interpersonal skills. In this role, you will work independently at times on projects, at other times will be in a collaborative team environment with other software engineers, as well as other program development and deployment teams.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Continued eligibility for access to classified information is required throughout employment, as dictated by program needs.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in STEM discipline
- 8+ years of C/C++ development experience
- Experience in mission systems software architecture, including design, development, and integration
- Software development experience across mission systems such as tactical/mission data links, aircraft sensors, communications/navigation/identification (CNI), mission computers, displays, weapon systems, or electronic warfare systems
- C / C++ development for real-time embedded systems
- Integration and interoperability testing in lab and simulated environments
- Ability to work onsite 100%
- Ability to travel 10%
Skills
- Proficient with Atlassian Tools (Confluence, JIRA, Bitbucket, etc.)
- Real-time operating systems and deterministic scheduling
- Networked and distributed systems under bandwidth and latency constraints
- Secure communications and crypto interface awareness (COMSEC)
- Message parsing, data modeling, and protocol implementation
- Mission systems and OMS/MOSA integration
- Experience communicating and documenting complex technical designs
- Ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Pay
$160,000 - $200,000 + Bonus Eligible
Benefits
- Low-cost Medical / Dental / Vision coverage options
- 401K with generous employer match
- Responsible Paid Time Off + Paid Holidays
- Remote work opportunities based on role
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Career growth and professional development opportunities
Active Secret Clearance Required