TacAir Software Architect

Location: Totowa, New Jersey, United States

Category: Engineering & Technology

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Description
See what you’re missing. Our employees work on the world’s most advanced electronics – from detecting threats for F-35 pilots to illuminating the night for soldiers. Spanning air, land, sea, and space, we are developing the technology of tomorrow, delivered today. Drawing strength from our differences, we’re innovating for the future. And you can, too. We are a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the defense and aerospace industries. Our TacAir Advanced Product Groups are dedicated to developing cutting-edge systems that enhance situational awareness, communication, and operational effectiveness for our airborne platforms.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Software Architect to join our TacAir team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in defining and evolving the software architecture for our next-generation airborne platforms, with a focus on open architectures, high-performance computing, and integration with Software Defined Radio (SDR) systems. This role requires a strong understanding of software engineering principles, system design, and the ability to translate complex requirements into elegant and practical solutions. You will be a technical leader, mentoring other engineers and driving architectural consistency across multiple projects.

In addition to software architecture responsibilities, you will be responsible for partnering with other discipline leads on the programs to help ensure that program objectives are met, and that software engineering has consistent, predictable performance.

Software Engineering is fast paced and dynamic. You will need to be self-motivated, and highly collaborative to succeed in this role.

Responsibilities:

• Architectural Leadership: Define and document the software architecture for new and existing TacAir systems, ensuring alignment with overall system goals, security requirements, and industry best practices.
• Open Architecture Development: Champion the adoption of open architectures (e.g., DDS, ROS2, modular architectures) to promote interoperability, portability, and future-proofing of our systems.
• SDR Integration: Lead the integration of Software Defined Radio (SDR) capabilities into airborne platforms, including waveform processing, modulation/demodulation, and communication protocol development.
• Requirements Analysis: Collaborate with systems engineers and stakeholders to analyze system requirements and translate them into detailed architectural specifications.
• Design & Implementation Oversight: Provide technical guidance and oversight to software development teams during the design, implementation, and testing phases.
• Technology Evaluation: Research and evaluate emerging technologies and frameworks to identify opportunities for improving our software architecture and capabilities.
• Code Reviews & Mentorship: Conduct code reviews and provide mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of quality and continuous learning.
• Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive architectural documentation, including diagrams, interface specifications, and design rationale.
• Collaboration: Work closely with hardware engineers, systems engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of software and hardware components.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. (Master's degree preferred).
• Minimum of 12+ years of experience in software development, with at least 3+ years in a software architecture role.
• Strong proficiency in C++, with experience in modern C++ standards (C++11/14/17/20).
• Solid understanding of software design patterns, architectural styles, and software engineering principles.
• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and embedded systems development.
• Experience with software configuration management tools (e.g., Git).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Desired:

• Hands-on experience with Open Architecture Frameworks and high-performance computing (e.g., multi-core processors, GPUs, optimized libraries).
• Strong understanding of Software Defined Radio (SDR) concepts and technologies, including SDR architectures, waveform development, and signal processing algorithms.
• Experience with communication protocols (e.g., UDP, TCP/IP, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429).
• Experience with formal methods and model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
• Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $153377 - $260743

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.