Applied Research Associates Inc

Senior Software Engineer

Applied Research Associates Inc$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Eligibility for a U.S. security clearance due to interactions with DoD
  • BS, MS, or PhD in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, applied mathematics, or related field
  • 8+ years of work experience with a BS or 6+ years with an MS
  • Proficiency in programming languages like Java, Python, C++, or TypeScript
  • Ability to convert ambiguous objectives into actionable technical plans
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and implementation of software connecting M&S tools in Digital Engineering
  • Define and evolve data schemas and flows for simulation testing
  • Design and implement APIs and integration patterns for tool connectivity
  • Develop prototypes to explore concepts and clarify requirements
  • Translate high-level program objectives into detailed technical plans
  • Shape technical roadmap and identify opportunities for improvement
  • Contribute to team engineering practices through mentorship and discussions

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth and development
  • Support for a learning environment
  • Encouragement of innovation and initiative
  • Stable work environment with rewarding experiences
Full Job Description
If you are an experienced engineer who enjoys solving ambiguous problems of national importance and wants to shape how complex systems are built and integrated, this role is for you. You will work in a stable environment that rewards initiative, learning, ingenuity, and an entrepreneurial mindset. We are seeking a Software Engineer to help develop software that connects physics-based Modeling and Simulation (M&S) tools in a Digital Engineering environment. You will build and integrate software used throughout the warfighting capability development cycle, from early prototypes through testing and fielding, for Department of Defense (DoD) programs.

In this role, you will take high-level program goals and turn them into concrete technical plans for connecting engagement, mission, and campaign analysis tools. You will design data models, integration patterns, and APIs that allow M&S tools and analysis capabilities to work together effectively. You will be expected to create structure from ambiguity, identify the next most important work, and help guide the technical direction of parts of our Digital Engineering environment.

Senior Software Engineer Responsibilities:

  • Help lead the design and implementation of software that connects physics-based M&S tools and analysis capabilities in a Digital Engineering environment.
  • Define and evolve schemas and data flows to move simulation and analysis results between tools (e.g., relational, document, or graph data models or message queueing strategies).
  • Design and implement APIs (e.g., REST or gRPC) and integration patterns that enable robust, scalable connections between tools.
  • Regularly propose and execute de-risking prototypes to explore ideas, clarify requirements, and reduce technical uncertainty before making design commitments.
  • Take high-level objectives from PMs/PIs/technical leads and independently propose technical approaches, plans, and milestones.
  • Help shape the technical roadmap for parts of our Digital Engineering environment, including identifying gaps, proposing improvements, and prioritizing integration work.
  • Contribute to engineering practices across the team through design discussions, code reviews, and mentorship of less-experienced engineers.


Senior Software Engineer Position Requirements:

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • The nature of work (i.e. interactions with the intelligence community and DoD programs) requires eligibility to apply for and hold a US security clearance; selected applicants will undergo a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements at the time of employment
  • BS, MS, or PhD in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, applied mathematics, or a closely related field.
  • 8+ years relevant work experience with BS
  • 6+ years relevant work experience with MS
  • Proven experience with programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C++, or TypeScript) for software development and/or data analysis.
  • Demonstrated ability to turn ambiguous goals into concrete technical plans, including breaking down work, identifying risks, and selecting appropriate tools and approaches.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work closely with domain experts and technical leadership to refine goals and designs.


Senior Software Engineer Preferences:

Above all, we value passion, a continuous desire to learn, and teamwork. We are confident that if you possess the right attitude, work ethic, and skill set, you will succeed in the role. In addition to the experience and skills above, if you have any of the following, you will be able to accelerate your effectiveness and impact.

  • Experience with backend web frameworks and RESTful API development.
  • Experience developing plugins and/or functionality for DevSecOps, MBSE, or PLM tools.
  • Familiarity Systems Modeling Language (SysML) v2 and especially the API and Services specification.
  • Familiarity with cloud technologies and platforms (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, AWS).
  • Substantive experience in simulating a war fighting domain, e.g., electromagnetic spectrum operations.
  • Existing DoD security clearance


To find out more about what the Software Enterprise Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/

About Applied Research Associates Inc

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is an employee-owned research and engineering company that provides technical solutions to complex problems in various fields, including defense, homeland security, intelligence, transportation, and energy. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM. ARA has over 1,600 employees and operates from more than 20 locations across the United States and Canada. The company's services include research and development, engineering, testing and evaluation, and consulting.
Learn more about Applied Research Associates Inc
Size
1,600 employees
Industry
Founded
1979

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