Senior C++ Software Optimization Engineer

Overview

Sci Tec is a dynamic small business, with the mission to deliver advanced sensor data processing technologies and scientific instrumentation capabilities in support of National Security and Defense, and we are growing our creative team! We support customers throughout the Department of Defense and U.S. Government in building innovative new tools to deliver unique world-class data exploitation capabilities.

Important Notice: Sci Tec exclusively works on U.S. government contracts that require U.S. citizenship for all employees. Sci Tec cannot sponsor or assume sponsorship of employee work visas of any type. Further, U.S. citizenship is a requirement to obtain and keep a security clearance. Applicants that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

Sci Tec has an immediate opportunity for a talented engineer to support our programs delivering Next-Generation Missile Warning software. This is a unique opportunity to join a small business delivering core capabilities for National defense. You will work within a fast-paced team delivering end-to-end software processing of Overhead Persistent Infra Red (OPIR) sensor data for Missile Warning, Missile Defense, Battlespace Awareness, and Technical Intelligence.

We are seeking a Senior C++ Software Optimization Engineer to improve the performance, efficiency, and deployability of a large, existing C++ codebase supporting mission-critical sensor processing systems. This role focuses on analyzing, refactoring, and optimizing current software to enable execution on smaller, resource-constrained hardware while maintaining correctness, reliability, and mission performance.

• Analyze and optimize a large, mature C++ codebase to improve runtime performance, memory footprint, and power efficiency
• Refactor existing architectures and implementations to support deployment on smaller or constrained hardware platforms
• Profile, benchmark, and diagnose performance bottlenecks using industry-standard tools
• Optimize algorithms, data structures, memory usage, threading models, and I/O pathways without changing mission intent
• Reduce computational complexity and eliminate inefficiencies in high-throughput processing pipelines
• Collaborate with system architects, algorithm developers, and hardware teams to balance performance, accuracy, and resource constraints
• Ensure optimized code remains maintainable, testable, and well-documented
• Support integration, testing, and validation of optimized software within existing systems
• Contribute to Agile development activities, including sprint planning, code reviews, and technical design discussions
• Mentor other engineers on performance-oriented coding practices and optimization techniques
• Prepare technical documentation and briefings describing optimization approaches, trade studies, and performance gains
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physical Sciences
• 10+ years of professional C++ development experience, with demonstrated mastery of modern, idiomatic C++
• Proven experience optimizing existing software systems, including performance tuning and refactoring
• Strong understanding of:
  • Memory management and cache behavior
  • Concurrency and multithreading
  • Performance trade-offs in large systems
• 5+ years of professional experience working in Unix/Linux environments
• Experience working with large, complex, multi-module codebases
• Ability to read, understand, and improve unfamiliar code efficiently
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physical Sciences
• Experience optimizing software for resource-constrained or embedded platforms
• Experience with profiling and performance analysis tools (e.g., perf, valgrind, VTune, gprof)
• Familiarity with remote sensing data exploitation (OPIR, EO/IR, SAR, Spectral, RF, or similar)
• Experience working within government or defense software frameworks
• Experience with Dev Sec Ops  practices and CI/CD pipelines
• Experience in Agile software development environments
• Leadership or technical mentorship experience
• Familiarity with cross-compilation and hardware-specific optimization techniques
• Resumes, Cover Letters, and Applications which are generated by AI will not be considered for employment.

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Sci Tec, Inc. offers a highly competitive salary and benefit package, including:

• 4% Safe Harbor 401(k) match
• 100% company paid HSA medical insurance, with a choice of 2 buy-up options
• 80% company paid dental insurance
• 100% company paid vision insurance
• 100% company paid life insurance
• 100% company paid long-term disability insurance
• 100% company paid hospital…