Software Engineer (Top Secret Clearance)

Job Description

Job Description

*Must be willing and able to commute to Dulles, VA and work fully onsite.

Software Engineer (Top Secret Clearance)

Job Description

This role focuses on the development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground software supporting complex spacecraft missions. You will work in a highly technical environment on full stack solutions that span operating systems, platforms, and mission-unique software layers, contributing directly to systems that must perform flawlessly in space. This position is based onsite in the Dulles, VA or McLean/Tysons Corner, VA area and requires an active Top Secret clearance at the time of application.

Responsibilities

• Perform full stack software development across the operating system, platform, and mission-unique software layers for satellite ground systems.
• Design and develop client and server applications and services using service-oriented or object-oriented architectures and message bus–based data exchange.
• Implement applications using Python, C++, Postgres, Ansible, cloud infrastructure provisioning, PKI, and static code analysis tools, including remediation of findings.
• Act as a self-starter who makes sound technical decisions while considering overall project budget and schedule constraints.
• Support operations for ground software and associated configurations, including troubleshooting software errors and hardware issues that affect ground software performance.
• Configure ground segment software to meet mission and operational requirements.
• Support acceptance test events by planning, executing, and documenting tests.
• Develop and maintain test automation to improve reliability and efficiency of ground software validation.
• Identify, resolve, and remediate software defects in collaboration with the broader engineering team.
• Implement software enhancements driven by customer change requests and evolving mission needs.
• Provide ground software support during launch and launch rehearsal events to ensure mission readiness.
• Support the installation and deployment of new ground segment software in operational, development, and test environments.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams working on spacecraft integration, mission assurance, and complex space-related challenges.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, ideally Computer Science or Engineering, and at least 5 years of software engineering experience for Level 3; or a master’s degree and 3 years of experience; or a PhD. Experience may be considered in lieu of a degree with an additional 4 years of relevant work.
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, ideally Computer Science or Engineering, and at least 8 years of software engineering experience for Level 4; or a master’s degree and 6 years of experience; or a PhD and 3 years. Experience may be considered in lieu of a degree with an additional 4 years of relevant work.
• Demonstrated professional software development experience on complex systems.
• Hands-on Python application development experience.
• Strong proficiency in C++ for production-grade software.
• Experience working with satellite ground software, ground systems, or spacecraft-related applications.
• Ability to develop applications using service-oriented or object-oriented architectures and message bus–based data exchange.
• Experience with full stack development, including operating system, platform, and mission-specific layers.
• Active Top Secret clearance at the time of application.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Postgres or similar relational database technologies.
• Experience with Ansible or similar tools for configuration management and infrastructure provisioning.
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure provisioning and deployment practices.
• Knowledge of PKI and secure software development practices.
• Experience performing static code analysis and remediating identified issues.
• Experience or interest in UI/UX for mission or operations software interfaces.
• Exposure to MATLAB for data analysis or modeling in support of space missions.
• Experience working with satellite ground stations, spacecraft operations, or space-related systems.
• Strong preference for candidates holding Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility or access.
• Intellectual curiosity and a desire to work on hardware and software that operate in space.
• Ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary engineering environment tackling complex problems such as radiation effects, autonomy, orbital mechanics, systems integration, and mission assurance.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite in a high-performance engineering environment in either Dulles, VA or the McLean/Tysons Corner, VA area. You will contribute to the build, integration, test, and operation of spacecraft and satellite ground systems that must function reliably in the harsh conditions of space. The workplace is highly collaborative and multidisciplinary, with engineers focused on challenges such as radiation resilience, autonomy, orbital mechanics, systems integration, and mission assurance. You will work with modern software technologies including Python, C++, Postgres, Ansible, cloud infrastructure tools, PKI, and static code analysis platforms, in operational, development, and test environments. The culture emphasizes technical excellence, intellectual curiosity, and solving complex, mission-critical problems, making it one of the strongest engineering environments in the region for professionals who want to work on systems that go into space.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling, VA.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $90.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Sterling,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.