Technical Debt Engineer

Duties & Responsibilities
Debug, analyze, and resolve complex software defects across large-scale, distributed software systems.
Perform root cause analysis to identify software defects, performance bottlenecks, integration issues, and reliability concerns.
Refactor legacy software to improve maintainability, modularity, extensibility, testability, and long-term sustainability while preserving existing functionality.
Identify, prioritize, and remediate technical debt in collaboration with engineering teams and program leadership.
Improve software quality through static analysis, automated testing, code reviews, performance optimization, and modern software engineering practices.
Develop, maintain, and optimize CI/CD pipelines and automated build, test, and deployment processes.
Utilize DevOps tools such as SonarQube, GitLab CI/CD, automated testing frameworks, and containerized development environments to support continuous software improvement.
Maintain and troubleshoot multi-language build environments using tools such as CMake, Conan, Maven, Poetry, and NPM.
Debug and resolve interoperability and integration issues across distributed software systems utilizing standards-based APIs, messaging frameworks, and communication protocols.
Collaborate with software developers, systems engineers, architects, and government stakeholders to implement sustainable software improvements while minimizing program risk and maintaining delivery schedules.
Support software integration, verification, validation, configuration management, and release activities.
Document software changes, technical debt remediation efforts, and engineering recommendations.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
5+ years of experience debugging, refactoring, and sustaining complex software systems supporting defense, aerospace, or other mission-critical environments.
Strong proficiency in software debugging, root cause analysis, performance optimization, and code quality improvement using modern software development tools, including AI-assisted development tools where appropriate.
Experience refactoring legacy codebases to improve maintainability, modularity, extensibility, and testability.
Strong proficiency with DevOps tools and practices, including SonarQube, GitLab CI/CD, automated testing, and containerized development environments.
Strong proficiency with multi-language build tools such as CMake, Conan, Maven, Poetry, and NPM.
Experience developing or sustaining large-scale distributed software systems utilizing messaging technologies such as ActiveMQ, DDS, ZeroMQ, or similar frameworks.
Experience diagnosing and resolving software integration and interoperability issues across distributed systems using standards-based interfaces and APIs.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with software developers, systems engineers, architects, and government stakeholders to reduce technical debt while maintaining program schedules.
Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DOD) Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required)
Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Experience identifying, prioritizing, and systematically resolving technical debt while preserving functional behavior and architectural compliance.
Knowledge of autonomy and robotics integration, mission planning, task allocation, and command-and-control architectures.
Experience debugging, refactoring, and sustaining software implementations aligned with SysML architecture models, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and software requirements.
Experience working with rootless Podman container environments.
Strong proficiency in C++ software development.
Proficiency in additional programming languages such as Java, Python, and TypeScript.
Experience using Git, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and containerized software development environments.
Experience supporting defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated software development programs.
Active-duty military experience.
Currently holds an active U.S. national security clearance.

Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.