Application Software Engineer (Staff / Senior Staff)

WORK LOCATION: Remote (Eastern time zone preferred) FLSA STATUS: Exempt SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range for this role is $130,000 to $200,000 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment. SUMMARY The Staff Application Software Engineer serves as a senior technical authority responsible for shaping the architecture, strategy and evolution of mission-critical operator software used across multiple UAS product lines. Engineers at this level define and enforce technical direction for application frameworks, mission system interfaces, visualization platforms and operator experience across the entire ground system ecosystem. This role requires deep domain expertise across complex system integration, UI/UX frameworks, real-time telemetry systems, distributed architectures and operator-centric workflows. In this role, you will mentor engineers, influence executive decision-making and lead cross-functional initiatives across autonomy, avionics, test and production. RESPONSIBILITIES The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties: Define enterprise-wide application software architecture, ensuring modularity, maintainability, and long-term scalability across multiple UAS platforms. Lead cross-functional technical initiatives that span avionics, autonomy, test engineering, GNC, and operator experience teams. Direct system design choices—including frameworks, interfaces, API standards, and data pipelines—for all operator-facing mission software. Review, approve, and guide high-impact technical proposals, engineering change requests, and cross-program software integrations. Lead resolution of complex system-wide issues that involve multiple subsystems, distributed data flows, safety considerations, or performance constraints. Drive long-term roadmap planning with technical leadership, influencing feature prioritization, capability evolution, and architectural investments. Serve as the top-tier escalation point for complex debugging, telemetry diagnostics, mission software failures, or flight-observed issues. Mentor senior and staff engineers, strengthening technical judgment, architectural thinking, and leadership capability within the software team. Represent software in customer meetings, major design reviews, executive briefings, and cross-site technical alignment forums. Advocate for operator-centered design, ensuring mission effectiveness, reliability, and intuitive workflows remain core pillars of application development. Contribute to enterprise standards for documentation, testing rigor, integration methodologies, and system validation. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS The following are a non-exhaustive list of qualifications for the position: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field required. 10–15 years of professional software engineering experience. Proven track record as a technical leader for large-scale, multi-program software systems. Experience defining architecture and long-term evolution of mission-critical applications. Significant experience integrating with avionics, autonomy, GNC, or ground control systems. Demonstrated ability to mentor senior-level engineers and lead complex cross-functional initiatives. Expert-level proficiency in C++,C#, Python, or other core languages used in aerospace application development. Deep expertise with UI/visualization frameworks (Qt, WPF, WinUI, or similar). Mastery of real-time data handling, multi-threaded processing, networked systems, and distributed communication frameworks (DDS, ZeroMQ, MAVLink, ROS2, STANAG-4586). Extensive experience designing modular architectures, interface standards, and enterprise-level software frameworks. Strong understanding of system-level constraints involving avionics, autonomy, mission planning, and operator workflows. High proficiency with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and configuration/version control best practices. Exceptional systems thinking and architectural leadership. Strong ability to influence executives, technical leaders, and program direction. Highly effective cross-functional communicator who thrives in complex, multi-team environments. Demonstrated ability to foresee technical challenges and design durable, long-range solutions. Strong capability in mentoring, knowledge transfer, and engineering culture-building. Operational awareness with strong empathy for operator needs and mission use-cases. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Master’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Human-Computer Interaction or related field Leadership experience guiding multi-year, multi-platform software evolution. Experience supporting flight operations, ground system integration, SIL/HIL workflows, or mission operations. Experience working in aerospace, defense, or safety-critical environments with regulatory or certification constraints. Expertise with mapping engines, advanced geospatial visualization, 3D rendering, or sensor fusion interfaces. Experience designing extensible plugin architectures for long-term system growth. Experience with large-scale performance optimization, telemetry analysis frameworks, or reliability engineering. Ability to influence multi-site engineering alignment and enterprise direction. Strong customer- and operator-facing presence, capable of representing engineering in technical discussions. Demonstrated leadership in shaping engineering standards, culture, and long-term capability development. REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH BENEFITS Matching 401(k) Paid PTO Paid holidays Medical, vision, and dental insurance Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability HSA and FSA Options Critical Care Plan Accident Care Plan Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person’s status under the ITAR and the EAR. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computer screen, while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able to lift up to 30 pounds as needed. REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Redwire Defense Tech is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resources. Continued employment remains on an “At-Will” basis. Apply To This Job