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Competitive Range partners with the government to plan and deploy complex, IT-enabled, and mission-essential capabilities. Our goal is to help you develop and expand your professional capabilities while working on challenging, exciting projects in a collaborative, congenial environment. We are seeking a  Principal Software Engineer  to design, modify, develop, and implement  highly secure and scalable software solutions  supporting critical DoD operations. This senior-level role involves  leading project teams , providing  technical guidance , and delivering  expert consultation on complex defense applications . The ideal candidate will bring extensive software engineering experience and a strong understanding of  mission-critical systems . Key Responsibilities Lead the design, development, and implementation of  software programming applications and operating systems  for defense projects. Modify and enhance  existing software solutions  to optimize security, functionality, and performance. Provide  technical leadership  to project teams, mentoring engineers and ensuring best practices in software development. Write, review, and maintain  efficient, high-quality, and well-documented code  following DoD cybersecurity and compliance standards. Offer  expert consultation  on complex projects, guiding strategic software engineering decisions. Oversee  software testing, debugging, validation, and integration  in defense environments. Ensure adherence to  DoD security protocols, NIST standards, and Risk Management Framework (RMF) guidelines . Collaborate with  cross-functional teams , including cybersecurity specialists, system engineers, and DoD stakeholders, to drive mission success. Required Qualifications:  Active Secret Clearance: TS preferred

Education: Bachelor's Degree with  15 years  of software engineering experience OR Master's Degree or higher with  12 years  of experience.

Experience: 15 years  of relevant software development experience with a  Bachelor's Degree  OR 12 years  of experience with a  Master's Degree or higher .

Extensive proficiency in programming languages such as  C++, Java, Python, or embedded systems development . Strong expertise in  software architecture, secure coding practices, and large-scale system engineering . Ability to obtain and maintain the required  security clearance . Deep understanding of  DoD systems, defense applications, and cybersecurity best practices . Preferred Qualifications: Experience leading development efforts for  classified defense systems and DoD contracts . Knowledge of  cloud computing solutions for DoD applications (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government) . Familiarity with  DevSecOps methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, and secure software engineering principles . Certifications such as  Security+, CISSP, or DoD-approved software development credentials .