R&D Engineer: Software Engineer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a R&D Engineer: Software Engineer based in United States.

This role focuses on software implementation, testing, and productization within a multidisciplinary research and engineering environment.

You will contribute software expertise to programs addressing complex challenges with national and international impact.

The position combines hands-on development with technical problem-solving, system troubleshooting, and collaboration across engineering and research teams.

You will help identify emerging challenges, research trends, and opportunities while delivering high-quality technical solutions.

You will work closely with principal investigators, sponsors, product owners, system engineers, researchers, and other stakeholders.

The role offers the opportunity to contribute to mission-critical initiatives supporting government and defense-related customers.

Frequent travel is expected, including trips to sponsor and contractor locations that may last up to two weeks.

Accountabilities:

• Apply software engineering expertise to research and development programs by identifying emerging technical challenges, research trends, and future opportunities.
• Design, implement, test, and maintain high-quality, scalable software solutions across the full development lifecycle.
• Ensure technical excellence and the timely completion of assigned project deliverables.
• Develop, test, troubleshoot, and maintain software across Linux and/or Windows environments, including systematic operating system and input-output debugging.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams, principal investigators, sponsors, product owners, researchers, system engineers, and other stakeholders to translate requirements into well-architected technical solutions.
• Provide clear and effective program status updates to senior stakeholders and fleet-level personnel through individual and community meetings.
• Contribute to software transition and productization efforts, helping move research and development outcomes toward operational use.
• Support a multidisciplinary engineering environment focused on discovering, demonstrating, transitioning, and educating around innovative technical solutions.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science and 14+ years of relevant experience for the Senior Professional level, or 19+ years of relevant experience for the Principal Professional level.
• Proficiency in one or more modern programming languages such as Python, C++, Java, or Rust.
• Strong understanding of software development principles, including object-oriented design, modular architecture, version control, data structures, algorithms, and performance optimization.
• Experience developing, testing, and maintaining software in Linux and/or Windows environments, with working knowledge of Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks.
• Experience with cloud platforms, distributed systems, or container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Ability to produce clear, maintainable, well-documented code and systematically troubleshoot operating systems and input-output issues.
• Understanding of network protocol stacks and the ability to work effectively with complex technical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to translate requirements into well-architected technical designs while collaborating across engineering, research, product, and stakeholder teams.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance attention to detail with a broader systems perspective.
• Demonstrated experience supporting technology transition efforts.
• Eligibility to obtain a U.S. government security clearance is required, with potential investigation requirements for higher-level clearance eligibility.
• U.S. citizenship is required, and successful completion of applicable background checks, drug testing, and security requirements is expected.
• A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Computer Engineering or Computer Science is preferred.

Benefits:

• Annual salary range of $140,004-$265,704 USD, depending on applicable grade and other compensation factors.
• Full-time position based primarily on-site in State College, Pennsylvania, with limited hybrid work-from-home options depending on project requirements.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off, including holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• 75% tuition discount available to eligible employees, spouses, and children.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development within a research-driven engineering environment.
• Opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions supporting complex scientific, engineering, technology, and government missions.
• Frequent exposure to multidisciplinary teams, research programs, sponsors, and technically challenging projects.
• Travel opportunities to sponsor, contractor, and second-party locations within and outside the continental United States, with trips potentially lasting up to two weeks.