Software Engineer Level II

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Tampa, FL, OWT Global is a small business that offers reliable and operationally proven expertise and support to the U.S. Government, industry partners, and commercial vendors. OWT Global specializes in Engineering Support, RDT&E, Technical Program and Project management, operations, logistics, maintenance, and training for Unmanned Systems (UxS), Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR), and Air Domain Awareness and Defense (ADAD) technologies. The company employs 96% veterans, selectively recruited from Special Operations, Special Mission Units, and Intelligence Communities, bringing a blend of skills optimized for today’s dynamic operational needs.

About the Role

OWT Global is seeking an experienced Software Engineer Level II to support the development, integration, testing, and sustainment of advanced software capabilities for unmanned systems in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Software Engineer will develop software enabling unmanned systems to navigate, communicate, sense, plan, and execute missions in complex operational environments. This role requires a candidate comfortable with understanding complex codebases, integrating new capabilities, troubleshooting hardware-software interfaces, and transitioning software from development to operational use. The anticipated period of performance is five years, with a potential start date as early as August 31, 2026. The position is based in Virginia Beach, VA, with minimal travel anticipated.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, test, and maintain software supporting unmanned systems and associated mission capabilities.
• Develop software using C, C++, Python, and object-oriented programming methodologies.
• Deliver reliable production software within an agile development environment.
• Develop and implement autonomous navigation and path planning capabilities for unmanned systems, including waypoint navigation, geofencing, dynamic routing, obstacle avoidance, and collision detection.
• Integrate navigation and mission planning capabilities with UxS flight control systems (BetaFlight, ArduPilot, PX4).
• Develop and integrate software supporting ground control and mission management systems using QGroundControl.
• Develop and maintain user interfaces using the Qt/QML framework.
• Integrate and utilize MAVLink for communications between unmanned aircraft and ground control stations.
• Analyze and troubleshoot communication issues between UxS platforms, ground stations, sensors, and supporting systems.
• Develop Python scripts for automation, data analysis, testing, system configuration, and rapid prototyping.
• Implement and support sensor fusion techniques using data from IMUs, GPS, cameras, LiDAR, and other sensors.
• Support integration of software with embedded hardware and UxS components.
• Troubleshoot issues involving interactions between software, hardware, communications systems, and sensors.
• Apply knowledge of networking concepts, including TCP/IP protocols, to support UxS communications and distributed system architectures.
• Analyze existing software architectures and complex codebases to identify defects, performance issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Perform software debugging, testing, integration, and validation activities.
• Build target software from source files and verify successful compilation and functionality.
• Review existing software and implement modifications based on technical requirements and system needs.
• Participate in software design reviews, code reviews, technical discussions, and system integration activities.
• Document software designs, technical approaches, testing procedures, configuration information, and system results.
• Collaborate with software engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, UxS technicians, operators, and other technical personnel.
• Maintain a strong focus on software quality, reliability, maintainability, cybersecurity, and system performance.

Requirements

• Active Secret security clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or another applicable engineering or science field. Minimum of 3 years of hands-on professional experience with a relevant degree or 7 years without a degree.
• Proficiency in C, C++, and object-oriented software development methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver working production software within an agile development environment.
• Extensive knowledge of autonomous navigation and path planning techniques, including waypoint navigation, geofencing, dynamic routing, obstacle avoidance, and collision detection algorithms.
• Experience with BetaFlight, ArduPilot, and PX4 (approximately 5 years preferred).
• Experience developing or integrating software for unmanned systems.
• Experience with sensor fusion techniques involving IMUs, GPS, cameras, LiDAR, or similar sensors.
• Experience with ground control software such as QGroundControl for mission planning, execution, and monitoring.
• Experience with the Qt/QML framework for developing user-friendly graphical interfaces.
• Familiarity with MAVLink for communications between UAVs and ground stations.
• Proficiency in Python scripting for automation, data analysis, testing, and prototyping.
• Strong understanding of data networking concepts, including TCP/IP protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot network communication issues.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and reverse engineer complex codebases written in C, C++, Python, or similar languages.
• Experience identifying subtle software defects involving data processing and communications between hardware and software systems.
• Ability to fully build target software from source files and troubleshoot build, compilation, dependency, and configuration issues.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative engineering environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field.
• Five or more years of professional software engineering experience supporting unmanned systems, robotics, aerospace, defense, or other mission-critical applications.
• Extensive experience developing software for autonomous unmanned systems.
• Advanced experience with ArduPilot, PX4, or BetaFlight.
• Strong experience developing autonomous navigation and path planning algorithms, including obstacle avoidance and collision detection.
• Experience with advanced sensor fusion involving IMUs, GPS, cameras, LiDAR, radar, or other sensing technologies.
• Experience developing or modifying QGroundControl capabilities.
• Strong experience with Qt and QML application development.
• Experience with embedded software development and hardware integration.
• Experience troubleshooting software at the interface between embedded hardware, sensors, flight controllers, and communications systems.
• Experience with real-time software development and Linux-based software development environments.
• Experience with Git and other source control systems, build automation, continuous integration, and automated testing.
• Experience with CMake or similar build systems.
• Experience with network programming and distributed systems, including analyzing network traffic and diagnosing communications issues.
• Experience reverse engineering unfamiliar software systems and complex legacy codebases.
• Experience developing software that interfaces with multiple hardware and sensor systems.
• Experience developing mission planning, command and control, or autonomy software.
• Experience supporting U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or aerospace programs.