Software Engineer - Defense R&D

Are you interested in creating mission critical software to support our warfighter? Do you want to work on a team developing new and emerging technologies? Are you open to new ideas, collaborating with teammates, teaching, and learning from others? If this is the kind of person you are, DS2 invites you to apply for a spot on our team! We are looking to add additional Software Developers, with various levels of experience to our Scrum teams.

Who Is DS2?

DS2 provides full life-cycle software engineering services to DoW, federal, and commercial clients. We are an organization that is committed to teamwork, a clear focus on the customer, and a belief that hiring talented individuals is essential to achieving our vision of being “Engineered to Exceed Expectations”.

Every day, DS2 engineers meet our clients' needs through problem-solving, teamwork, and technology-driven solutions. You can expect to work with a team of committed engineers that lives our core values in an environment where working hard is important and playing hard is just as important. 

• Be a part of an agile team that works together to organize, manage, and complete their work on products.
• Play a key role in designing, developing, deploying, and demonstrating applications.
• Work with your team to test, develop, peer review, and continuously integrate changes into the code base.
• Integrate sensors and unmanned platforms (UAS/UGV) for damage detection tasks. 
• Build and maintain applications using Windows desktop technologies like WPF using MVVM patterns.
• Develop and deploy a variety of Android applications using Kotlin or Java.
• Build distributed mission-critical applications using microservices deployed via containers.
• Develop AI/ML models for robotic perception, damage assessment, and autonomy.
• Implement perception pipelines for identifying/classifying UXO, debris, and surface damage.
• Conduct research for, report on, and create proof-of-concepts and prototypes for R&D projects.
• Support fieldable prototypes delivering rapid capability into the Warfighter's hands.
• Execute manual or automated sUAS flights while maintaining safety and monitoring weather conditions.
• Operate sensors, cameras, or LiDAR to gather high-quality imagery or aerial data.
• Run test and evaluation of software on robotics applications while interacting directly with the hardware.

Qualifications - We Need Someone Who:

• Is a graduate of an accredited university with at least a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in an engineering discipline, computer science and/or equivalent years of experience.
• Has worked professionally in software development for 5+ years.
• Actively programs with one or more of the following languages: C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, or Python.
• Has experience integrating hardware (sensors, actuators, controllers) with software applications.
• Provides ongoing support and troubleshooting for integrated systems to ensure mission continuity.
• Manages time well and can prioritize tasks to ensure projects are completed on time.
• Engages with teammates, both virtually and face-to-face, to plan projects, seek out or provide help on issues, as well as present solutions to clients.
• Has experience related to unmanned systems, autonomous systems, sensor/payload integration or software/hardware integration.
• Has experience in writing technical papers and executing RDT&E activities independently.
• Is a   U.S. Citizen and able to complete a U.S. government background investigation. 

Preferred - Bonus points if you:

• Have a firm understanding of Human Factors Engineering (HFE) to reduce operator load and improve CE mission usability.
• Have proven experience building Windows platform desktop and client/server applications using C#, WPF, and SQL.
• Can build robust, scalable, event-driven backends that are service-based or use structures such as microservices using containerization.
• Have proven experience building Android applications using Java or Kotlin.
• Have any experience with Android Tactical Assault Kit development (TAK, ATAK, WinTAK).
• Have proven experience introducing AI tools and solutions into operations.
• Are proficient with source control software like TFS, Git, or Bitbucket.
• Have a sUAS pilot license (Part 107) and Technical proficiency with drone flight software and hardware.
• Have used Software Development Lifecycle tools suites like Azure DevOps or Atlassian.
• Have examples of code we can check out, like GitHub or SourceForge repositories, any applications you've built, pet projects, or submissions to hackathons and/or game jams.
• Received one or more Scrum, Microsoft or Google Developer certifications or any other technical certifications.

Benefits — What we do for you:

• Flexible work hours
• Healthcare, dental, and vision coverage, including STD, LTD, and Life Insurance
• Generous paid time off, floating holidays, and standard holidays
• 401K savings plan with company-matching contributions up to 4%
• Educational and growth opportunities
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Student loan repayment
  • Certification reimbursement + bonuses and Learning Platform Subscriptions
  • Catered tech talk lunches on topics picked by your and your teammates
• Sponsored community and volunteer events, giving back to our community
• Monthly office social events, game night, cook outs and office parties

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements for this job's performance. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.