Senior Research Scientist - Advanced Systems

About The Role

Peraton Labs is seeking a poly cleared Senior Research Scientist to support cleared research and development efforts for a Maryland-based IC customer. This role will focus on designing, developing, integrating, and enhancing advanced research prototype systems across mission-focused application, analytics, real‑time processing, data, and software‑enabled environments. The ideal candidate is a senior hands‑on software researcher or prototype engineer who can translate customer needs into working capabilities, develop complex software prototypes, integrate existing systems, and help guide technical execution across small research teams.

Candidates should be comfortable working in fast‑moving R&D environments where requirements evolve, technical approaches must be tested quickly, and prototypes must be built with enough rigor to demonstrate operational value.

This position requires full‑time on‑site work at a customer site near College Park, MD.

• Design, develop, test, and enhance advanced software prototypes for mission‑focused research programs
• Analyze customer requirements and translate them into prototype architectures, performance standards, software designs, and technical implementation plans
• Develop new software or modify existing software to improve functionality, performance, reliability, and usability
• Build prototype applications involving analytics, real‑time systems, data processing, workflow tools, mission applications, or business/operational management systems
• Develop complex algorithms, database interfaces, APIs, data queries, and backend services to meet functional and performance requirements
• Integrate existing software, COTS/GOTS tools, open‑source components, and custom research prototypes into new or modified operating environments
• Debug software, resolve defects, improve system performance, and support prototype demonstrations
• Develop and execute test procedures to validate prototype components against design and mission requirements
• Collaborate with system engineers, hardware engineers, researchers, subcontractors, and customer stakeholders to refine requirements and ensure operational specifications are met
• Provide input on system design decisions, including hardware/software tradeoffs, software reuse, COTS/GOTS integration, scalability, maintainability, and deployment approach
• Support software development workflows using tools such as Git Hub/Git Lab, Jenkins, CI/CD pipelines, Agile processes, issue tracking, and code review
• Create and maintain technical documentation, development standards, test plans, interface documentation, and prototype user guides
• Lead small technical teams, delegate tasks, monitor progress, and help ensure project objectives are met

This position may be eligible for an increased sign‑on bonus. Eligibility, bonus amount, and applicable terms and conditions will be discussed during the recruiting process.

• Minimum of 12+ years of experience with a Bachelors degree, 10+ years of experience with a Masters degree, or 8+ years of experience with a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field. In lieu of a Bachelors, an additional 4 years of experience is required for a total of 16+ years relevant experience.
• Strong application, software, or prototype development experience in R&D, mission, defense, intelligence, or similarly complex technical environments
• Programming experience in one or more languages such as Python, C, C++, Java, Go, or similar languages
• Experience designing and implementing algorithms, backend services, APIs, database interfaces, or complex data queries
• Experience integrating software components, data sources, COTS/GOTS tools, open‑source software, or prototype systems
• Experience debugging, testing, troubleshooting, and improving software prototypes
• Familiarity with modern software development practices, including Git Hub/Git Lab, Agile methods, Jenkins or other CI/CD tools, code review, and issue tracking
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with…