Sr. Principal Software Engineer

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Our team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond.

About the role

The Sr. Principal Software Engineer role involves designing, developing, and testing software applications for space systems and technologies. This advanced position requires extensive expertise in multiple programming languages, an advanced understanding of software development principles, and the ability to design, architect, and implement complex software systems.

• Write clean, maintainable code that adheres to best practices and coding standards.
• Architect and implement complex software systems to meet project requirements.
• Collaborate with team members to understand project needs and contribute to the development of effective software solutions.
• Utilize version control systems such as Git to manage code changes and work collaboratively with team members.
• Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and adherence to development standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve software-related issues in a timely manner.
• Document software configurations, processes, and procedures for future reference.
• Stay current with industry trends and advancements in software development and space technologies.
• Lead a team of engineers, providing technical leadership, mentorship, and support to foster collaboration and growth within the team.
• Make high-level design decisions that significantly impact program cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Drive the strategic direction of the software engineering team.
• Demonstrate project leadership, strong problem-solving skills, and effective communication with non-technical stakeholders.
• Architect and oversee the technical aspects of large-scale projects.
• Innovate and make strategic decisions regarding the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or master's +13 years experience).
• Typically, 15+ years of related experience.
• Extensive expertise in multiple programming languages and software development principles.
• Ability to design, architect, and implement complex software systems.
• Strong leadership skills to lead a team of engineers.
• Ability to make high-level design decisions.
• Ability to drive the strategic direction of the software engineering team.
• Demonstrated project leadership, strong problem-solving skills, and effective communication with non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with different software development methodologies such as Agile and Scrum/Kanban.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience with kernel-level programming and system optimization.
• Mastery in programming languages (Python, C++) and their ecosystems.
• Expertise in scripting languages (Bash, PowerShell, Perl) and automation tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Terraform).
• Proven experience with Agile or Scrum methodologies and tools (JIRA, Confluence, Jenkins).
• Exceptional analytical skills, performance profiling, memory management, and debugging.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with proficiency in collaborative tools (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket).
• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale software projects from inception to completion.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Advanced knowledge of database management systems (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB).
• Extensive experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and cloud-native development.
• Proficiency with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• In-depth understanding of network protocols, security principles, and secure coding practices.
• Ability to write and maintain comprehensive technical documentation.
• Extensive experience with CI/CD pipelines and advanced automated testing frameworks.
• Proven track record of mentoring and guiding junior engineers, providing technical leadership.
• Experience with continuous integration and automated test.
• Knowledge of and experience implementing Software Design Patterns.
• Familiarity with SysML/UML to create software designs.
• Experience utilizing and setting up static analysis tools.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment.

Benefits

At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations.