Principal Software Engineer; TS​/SCI w​/CI Poly; S

Principal Software Engineer (TS/SCI w/ CI Poly)

Join the ARKA team to learn how Beyond Begins Here. Discover your next career opportunity now!

This senior role is for a Software Architect/Principal Software Engineer, requiring technical leadership, system design, and implementation oversight of complex government system architectures for national critical systems. The role serves as the key decision‑maker in defining how a system will be implemented to meet its software requirements, coordinating efforts between ARKA and sub‑contractors. Responsibilities evolve over the program and include fostering customer intimacy, coordinating a distributed engineering team, and leading the engineering effort to realize the critical vision.

• Lead and mentor engineering development teams across the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to ensure program and technical success.
• Drive Continuous Delivery and Dev Ops Adoption: emphasize modern practices such as CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and automated testing.
• Define Cloud‑Native/Distributed System Architecture: apply technical expertise to establish resilient system architecture patterns (e.g., microservices, event‑driven).
• Govern Engineering Quality and Resilience: evaluate the quality, efficacy, and observability of engineering deliverables.
• Proactive Operational Risk Communication: communicate engineering status and architectural risks to program leadership and the customer in real‑time.
• Facilitate Architectural Alignment with Customers: conduct technical exchange meetings with government customers and stakeholders to present roadmaps and secure design approvals.
• Champion Innovation and Technology Strategy: evaluate, prototype, and recommend emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML, new programming languages, cloud services).

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of professional software development experience.
• Demonstrated experience as a Chief Architect, Associate Chief Architect, or equivalent technical leadership role.
• Strong cross‑functional communication skills, managing multiple tasks to meet program milestones.
• Proven track record of leading Agile software engineering initiatives across all phases.
• Experience in large‑scale system design and deployments on cloud platforms (AWS, Azure).
• Familiarity with Kubernetes, virtual machine management, object storage, and serverless functions.
• Ability to translate system engineering analysis into actionable software development concepts.
• Experience in code review processes, ensuring technical soundness and testing.
• Demonstrated experience working on geographically distributed teams.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience engaging effectively with virtual teams.
• Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance with CI Poly.

• Strong business acumen aligning technical solutions with business objectives.
• Experience developing software on AWS or Azure with cloud‑native architectures.
• Familiarity with container orchestration, virtual machine management, object storage, and serverless computing.
• Hands‑on experience in software application deployment, virtualization technologies, and containerization.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Satellite communication planning for individual satellites and constellations.
  • SIGINT and GEOINT mission planning operations.
  • Satellite command and control (C2) systems.
  • Satellite tasking for GEOINT and SIGINT collection.
  • Advanced mission planning for satellite operations, including payload operation and integration.

King of Prussia, PA

• Comprehensive medical, vision, dental insurance packages.
• Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts.
• 401(k) retirement plan with industry‑leading company contributions.
• 3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Upfront tuition assistance for approved degree programs.
• Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance.
• Company‑paid life insurance, AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance.
• 4 weeks paid parental leave.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).

This job operates in a professional office environment. The employee routinely uses hands to type, communicates, listens, interprets instructions, and remains stationary for extended periods. The employee must move around the campus and occasionally lift items up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Employment with any ARKA companies in the U.S. is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a credit check, background check, and drug screen.

Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance with a CI Poly.

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.