Principal Software Engineer (Onsite)

Job Description We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in Rome, NY, supporting a long-standing and critical contract with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). This role balances the stability of existing systems with the innovation of new capabilities. The ideal candidate will be deeply customer-focused, ensuring that all technical deliverables align with the NGA’s operational mission and strategic goals. Because this is a long-standing contract, you will enter an environment with established stability and a deep institutional knowledge base. However, the evolving needs of NGA ensure that the work remains challenging and forward-looking. This position offers significant opportunities for growth, allowing you to transition from a technical expert into a leadership role as you help shape the future of geospatial intelligence capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• New Development: Lead the architecture and implementation of new software features and standalone applications, translating complex customer requirements into scalable, high-performance code.
• Adaptive Maintenance: Support the evolution of existing systems to ensure they remain compatible with changing hardware, operating systems, and external dependencies, ensuring zero degradation of mission-critical services.
• Customer Engagement: Foster a collaborative relationship with the Customer to identify pain points and propose proactive technical solutions.
• Technical Leadership: Provide mentorship to junior and mid-level engineers, conduct rigorous code reviews, and establish engineering best practices across the development lifecycle.
• Strategic Planning: Contribute to the long-term technical roadmap of the contract, identifying opportunities for modernization and efficiency gains

Because of the need for consistent, in-person collaboration and/or the requirement to perform all work onsite due to the nature of this particular role, it will be performed full-time on site. This means work will be conducted on location at a BAE Systems facility 100% of the time Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Must hold an active Top Secret security clearance
• BS degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field with at least 6 years of work experience
• Applicant must be able to obtain and maintain the CompTIA Security+ certification
• Experience in the field of cybersecurity
• Experience with Steganography and Steganographic tool sets
• Experience with integrating Steganographic tools in development environments
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies
• Experience in Object-Oriented Design, development practices, and implementation using Java / Jakarta EE
• Experience building and maintaining RESTful Web Services and SQL databases (Postgres)
• Experience with Cloud Technologies, Python, Containerization (Docker), DevOps workflows, and Linux development environments
• Experience with version control and collaboration tools, automated testing frameworks, and CI/CD practices
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Ability to take initiative, multi-task and work well under pressure

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Hold an active TS/SCI clearance
• Master’s degree in computer science or computer engineering
• Working experience with NGA GEOINT Data Types and Products
• Active CompTIA Security+ Certification
• Experience with build systems, such as Maven and Gradle
• Experience with Log4J, Apache, Junit, HP Fortify
• Hands-on experience with Front-end development, Spring boot framework, and scripting
• Technical writing skills: capable of creating and modifying engineering documentation

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107359 - $182510

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.


Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems Electronic Systems BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems’ game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere – from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact – for our customers and the communities we serve.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.