Software Engineer (Top Secret Clearance)

Job Title: Software Engineer (Top Secret Clearance)

Job Description

Software Engineer focuses on the development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground software for complex space missions. You will work in a highly technical environment building full-stack solutions that support spacecraft operations, mission planning, and ground segment capabilities. The position requires an active Top Secret clearance at the time of application and offers the opportunity to contribute to systems that must perform flawlessly in demanding space environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain full-stack software at the operating system, platform, and mission-unique application layers for satellite ground systems.
• Develop client and server applications and services using service-oriented or object-oriented architectures and message bus-based data exchange, including first-of-a-kind capabilities.
• Build and enhance applications using Python, C++, Postgres, Ansible, cloud infrastructure provisioning tools, PKI, and static code analysis tools, including remediation of identified findings.
• Act as a self-starter who makes sound technical decisions while considering overall project budget, schedule, and mission priorities.
• Support operations of ground software and associated configurations, including troubleshooting software errors and hardware issues that affect ground system performance.
• Configure ground segment software to meet mission and operational requirements.
• Investigate, resolve, and remediate software defects, ensuring robust and reliable ground system performance.
• Implement software enhancements driven by customer change requests and evolving mission needs.
• Support acceptance test events by planning, executing, and documenting tests to validate ground software functionality.
• Develop and maintain test automation to improve verification efficiency and reliability.
• Provide ground software support during launch and launch rehearsal events to ensure successful mission execution.
• Support the installation and deployment of new ground segment software in operational, development, and test environments.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams working on spacecraft, radiation effects, autonomy, orbital mechanics, systems integration, and mission assurance challenges.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated professional software development experience.
• Proficiency in Python application development.
• Strong experience with C++ for backend and systems-level development.
• Understanding of object-oriented architectures and service-oriented design.
• Experience with full-stack development across operating system, platform, and mission-specific application layers.
• Ability to work with message bus-based data exchange architectures.
• Experience with ground systems or ground software for satellites or spacecraft is highly relevant.
• Familiarity with Linux and Windows environments.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex software and hardware issues in operational systems.
• Active Top Secret clearance at the time of application.
• For Software Engineer Level 3: Bachelors degree in a STEM field (ideally Computer Science or Engineering) and 5 years of experience; OR a masters degree and 3 years; OR a PhD; OR an additional 4 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• For Software Engineer Level 4: Bachelors degree in a STEM field (ideally Computer Science or Engineering) and 8 years of experience; OR a masters degree and 6 years; OR a PhD and 3 years; OR an additional 4 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Strong preference for candidates with Top Secret clearance and SCI eligibility or access.
• Experience with satellite ground stations, spacecraft operations, or mission planning systems.
• Experience in space-related domains such as orbital mechanics, autonomy, or mission assurance.
• Experience with UI/UX considerations for mission operations tools.
• Familiarity with tools and technologies such as MATLAB and FreeFlyer.
• Experience with Postgres databases and related data management practices.
• Exposure to cloud infrastructure provisioning and automation tools such as Ansible.
• Understanding of PKI and secure software practices, including static code analysis and remediation.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary engineering teams and communicate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Intellectual curiosity and interest in working on hardware and software that operate in space.
• Experience supporting launch operations or rehearsals is a plus.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite in a highly technical engineering environment focused on building, integrating, testing, and operating spacecraft and their ground systems. Work takes place at facilities in Dulles, VA or McLean/Tysons Corner, VA, where teams tackle challenging problems in radiation effects, autonomy, orbital mechanics, systems integration, and mission assurance. You will collaborate closely with other engineers and mission specialists, working with technologies such as Linux and Windows platforms, Python and C++ codebases, ground software for satellites, databases like Postgres, and automation tools including Ansible and cloud provisioning solutions. The environment emphasizes rigorous testing, operational reliability, and continuous improvement of ground segment software that must perform flawlessly in harsh space conditions. It offers a culture that values intellectual curiosity, complex multidisciplinary problem-solving, and hands-on involvement with systems and hardware that support missions in 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 Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling, VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Sterling,VA.

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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

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

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

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.