Software Architect/Principal Engineer

DCS is seeking a motivated, experienced Software Architecture Lead with a strong background in hardware/software interfaces, real-time embedded software, and system integration, coupled with exceptional communication skills to coordinate effectively between government software developers, industry developers, and vehicle platform engineers. This position supports the Product Manager Vehicle Protection Systems (PdM VPS) integration of Active Protection Systems (APS) onto Capability Program Executive (CPE) Ground platforms. The Software Architecture Lead owns the overall structural design of the software that integrates the Vehicle Protection Systems Intelligent Protection and Engagement Response Software (VIPERS), a Software Acquisition Pathway program, with the existing Modular Active Protection System (MAPS) Framework-compliant Vehicle Base Kit (VBK). VIPERS will serve as the baseline software for both the VBK and future APS products, and provides open, standards-based interfaces through which government and industry developers integrate new capabilities.

Essential Job Functions:

Define, document, and maintain the VIPERS/VBK software architecture, including architecture views, software design descriptions, and interface control documents. Define the open, standards-based software interfaces, including DDS data interfaces, through which government, OEM, and third-party developers integrate with VIPERS and the VBK, consistent with Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles. Interface directly with government stakeholders, OEM providers, and subject matter experts to identify, document, and trace system and software requirements. Provide guidance and mentorship to development teams, ensuring they follow the established architectural vision. Establish and lead hardware/software design reviews with stakeholders and peers. Establish and enforce coding standards, best practices, and cybersecurity controls to minimize technical debt and ensure system reliability. Ensure the software architecture satisfies software system safety requirements under MIL-STD-882E, including the identification and partitioning of safety-significant software. Address the critical attributes of a real-time protection system, including deterministic timing and latency, fault tolerance, availability, safety, security, and maintainability. Support the program’s Agile/DevSecOps practices, including configuration management, branch strategy, continuous integration, and automated test. Assist in the preparation of test plans, observe tests, and analyze test results to determine adequacy of system and subsystem performance, recommending corrective actions for deficiencies. Review and advise on preliminary design studies for new or improved items, components, structures, and major subsystems, as well as engineering changes affecting system characteristics. Ensure that system and subsystem components, structures, software, electronics, and vulnerability/survivability elements are compatible with each other and with the host platform. Ensure that engineering trade-offs in the vehicle/system design benefit overall system performance. Perform and evaluate engineering studies, such as operational and functional characteristics of assigned systems and components. Participate in the preparation of program plans, documentation, schedules, budgets, and milestones necessary for planning and executing the assigned program.

Required Skills:

U.S. citizenship is required due to the sensitivity of customer-related requirements. Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering field, plus a minimum of 12 years of professional software development experience, including demonstrated experience in software architecture or technical leadership roles. Strong C/C++ knowledge, including real-time and embedded software development on Linux, and experience with Windows-based development environments. Experience defining software architectures and interfaces for medium- to high-complexity hardware/software systems, including systems and software requirements analysis, design, and integration. Experience with middleware and inter-process communication, such as DDS, gRPC, or Protocol Buffers. Experience with UML and/or SysML architecture modeling. Experience working with user representatives and formal DoD requirements documents to determine requirements for system development or integration efforts. Knowledge of software development lifecycle processes, including configuration management, peer review, and formal software verification. Self-starter able to work independently from initial guidance without direct supervision. Ability to work within a team to both direct and contribute to vehicle system integration and development efforts. Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to tactfully negotiate resolution of competing programmatic demands and requirements. Strong customer service orientation, with the professional demeanor and presentation suited to daily support of the Government customer in a high-visibility role. Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.

Desired Skills:

Project management experience, including planning, scheduling, and tracking technical work. Hardware/software interface, system architecture, and integration experience on Army ground vehicle platforms. Experience with Active Protection Systems, survivability systems, or other safety-critical weapon or fire-control software. Experience applying MIL-STD-882E software system safety practices. Experience with Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and open-architecture standards. Experience with Agile/DevSecOps and the DoD Software Acquisition Pathway. Experience with Cameo Systems Modeler or MagicDraw. Active DoD Secret clearance.