Senior Principal Software Engineer (contingent)

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Applied Signal Technology (AST) is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer with deep expertise in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) operating within a complex electronic warfare environment to lead the development of multi-sensor guidance and navigation systems. AST provides trusted strategic and tactical SIGINT solutions that secure the interests of the U.S. and its partners. AST's work in areas such as high-capacity broadband communications, signal processing and analysis, tactical SIGINT, and wireless communications continually challenges our extraordinary engineers to resolve problems and make the world a safer place. AST's work environment is dynamic, highly collaborative and provides engineers with the freedom to strengthen and expand their skills, explore new and creative ideas, and work closely with our nation's finest service members all while embracing integrity, innovation and work-life balance.

We are seeking an innovative and mission-driven Senior Principal Software Engineer with deep expertise in Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR), GNSS systems, and System-on-Chip (SoC) development. This position plays a key role in the design, development, and deployment of innovative technologies related to jamming, spoofing, and high-performance navigation and timing solutions in contested and denied environments.

As a technical leader, you will contribute to software architectures that tightly integrate with custom SoC platforms and provide advanced PNT capabilities across space, airborne, and ground-based systems. You will be expected to bring deep software engineering expertise while collaborating closely with systems, FPGA, RF, and cyber teams.

This is an ONSITE position located at our Anaheim Hills, CA location.

What You Will Do:

• Lead the software design and development of NAVWAR-enabled GNSS receivers and PNT systems running on custom SoC platforms.
• Architect and implement embedded software for real-time, secure navigation processing in hardware-constrained environments.
• Collaborate with SoC and FPGA engineers to define hardware/software partitioning and system interface layers.
• Perform system-level integration and testing, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and RF simulation environments.
• Support mission-critical NAVWAR systems from inception to prototype, including field testing and customer engagement.
• Travel up to 25%

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience
• Typically requires 10 years of professional experience in software engineering, with significant contributions to embedded or real-time systems.
• Proven experience with GNSS software development, including signal processing, tracking loops, or navigation algorithms. Preference given to expertise related to spoofing/jamming mitigation, signal integrity, and advanced GNSS signal processing.
• Integrate GNSS algorithms, anti-jam/anti-spoofing techniques, and NAVWAR mission features into software-defined radio (SDR) or SoC platforms.
• Deep understanding of NAVWAR concepts, including threat mitigation (jamming/spoofing), signal protection, and secure PNT.
• Proficiency in C/C++, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and low-level driver development.
• Experience working with secure coding practices and embedded systems in a defense or aerospace context.
• Familiarity with lab tools and environments including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), GNSS signal simulators, and SDR platforms (e.g., USRP, Ettus, or custom boards).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret SCI (TS/SCI) U.S. government issued security clearance is required.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field.
• Experience with military-grade GNSS receivers.
• Familiarity with DO-178C, MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet, or other mission bus protocols.
• Experience with DevSecOps pipelines, containerization (Docker), and CI/CD in secure environments.
• Active DoD Top Secret SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance within the last 24 months.

What We Offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• Eligible for relocation
• And More!