Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Senior Software Engineer

Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10-15 years of industry experience
  • Expertise in Java and C/C++ applications, including network and multi-threaded architectures
  • Must hold an Active Top Secret/SCI or Secret security clearance
  • Experience in enterprise automation with Python and Unix Shell scripting
  • Mastery in relational database design and SQL data manipulation
  • Ability to solve complex engineering problems and mentor junior engineers

Responsibilities

  • Architect system integrations for enterprise application development
  • Drive containerization strategies using Kubernetes
  • Engineer robust testing infrastructure and automation within CI/CD pipelines
  • Provide advanced operational support and technical requirements verification
  • Communicate technical vision and industry standards to stakeholders
  • Lead collaborative teams to implement complex software solutions

Benefits

  • Dynamic and agile work environment
  • Opportunities for professional development and mentoring
  • Chance to lead and innovate in cutting-edge software engineering
  • Engagement in high-impact projects within the satellite systems domain
  • Access to advanced tools and technologies in software development
Full Job Description
Kratos is seeking a Lead Software Engineer (Level 4) to lead and innovate within our dynamic, agile environment. This role architects and champions a SecDevOps approach across the entire software development lifecycle, driving the strategic design, development, testing, and operational scaling based on user feedback. The ideal candidate will operate with high autonomy, guiding collaborative teams to design, implement, and maintain complex software solutions while establishing modern industry standards and communicating technical vision clearly to stakeholders. Key responsibilities include architecting system integrations to develop and deploy enterprise applications, as well as orchestrating containerization strategies using Kubernetes to manage and scale critical services. Additionally, the role involves engineering testing infrastructure and automation by designing and maintaining robust automated test scripts within optimized CI/CD pipelines, and delivering advanced operational support through technical requirements verification, system documentation, and complex troubleshooting in simulated environments.

  • 10-15 years industry experience
  • Leading the design, development, and optimization of Java and C/C++ applications (including advanced network, multi-threaded, and high-performance client-server architectures) across Windows and Linux platforms
  • Active Top Secret/SCI or Secret security clearance.
  • Designing, implementing, and maintaining enterprise-grade automation using Python, Unix Shell scripting, Batch files, and Windows script files
  • Architectural mastery of relational database design, advanced query optimization, and complex Structured Query Language (SQL) data manipulation
  • Architecting and driving innovative solutions to complex, ambiguous engineering problems while mentoring junior and mid-level engineers

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Platform Expertise: Subject matter expertise in architecting and scaling Red Hat OpenShift and enterprise Kubernetes infrastructures.
  • Domain Leadership: Deep domain knowledge of satellite ground station processing systems (including advanced planning, ground control, and high-throughput data processing).
  • Enterprise DevSecOps Tools: Advanced proficiency driving automation via Python, optimizing CI/CD workflows within GitLab/Azure DevOps, and managing lifecycles using Jira/Confluence.
  • Comprehensive Testing Architecture: Proven track record designing and leading automated functional, integration, regression, and high-load performance testing strategies.
  • Industry Certifications: Advanced professional certifications such as Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA), Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), or Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD).
  • Modern Infrastructure: Extensive experience implementing advanced Infrastructure as Code (IaC) architectures (e.g., Terraform) and mature GitOps workflows.

#LI-Onsite

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Competitive salary based on experience and education
Salary Range: $150,000-$170,000

About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, solutions, and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Kratos Government Solutions, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety & Security. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, satellite communications, training systems, modular systems, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial, ground, and seaborne, as well as command, control, and communications systems. The Public Safety & Security segment designs, engineers, deploys, operates, integrates, maintains, and operates security and surveillance solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical infrastructure, government, and commercial customers. The company serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers; and critical infrastructure, power generation, power transport, nuclear energy, financial, IT, healthcare, education, transportation, and petro-chemical industries, as well as government and military customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Size
3,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$79.6 million
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$747.6 million
NASDAQ

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