Programming-Associate

The Tactical Defense Systems Group drives innovation in air defense to enhance the effectiveness of U.S. Air Force (USAF) operations. Our team addresses critical challenges in air vehicle survivability, vulnerabilities to advanced weapons systems, electronic countermeasure development, testing infrastructure, and air surveillance for homeland defense. By combining cutting‑edge technology with creative problem‑solving, we shape the future of air defense through impactful solutions.

We conduct flight, field, and laboratory testing to understand USAF and adversary air defense systems. Our team designs and develops specialized instrumentation and prototype systems to support these initiatives. Each year, we lead major field‑testing campaigns using a fleet of highly instrumented aircraft and advanced ground systems, while local testing ensures flight readiness and system validation. We analyze data collected during testing and compare it with sophisticated models in collaboration with the Systems and Analysis Group (109).

These efforts deliver precise answers to critical questions from Air Force partners. Join the Tactical Defense Systems Group to tackle meaningful challenges, drive innovation in national security, and accelerate your career in a dynamic, mission‑driven environment.

The Tactical Defense System Group is seeking candidates to join our team as an Associate Staff. You will play a key role in advancing cutting‑edge sensor technologies through hands‑on testing, analysis, and system development. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with a team of engineers to design, execute, and analyze data from laboratory, field, and flight tests of advanced radio‑frequency (RF), infrared (IR), and optical sensors.

• The candidate will support the group’s software development team to include development planning and support of multiple (RF and IR) sensors and platforms
• Develop in integrate multi‑threaded object‑oriented C++ radar signal processing algorithms which perform noise mitigation, target detection, and tracking functionality utilizing boost and Qt
• The candidate will be expected to instruct and enable complex software development across diverse teams
• The candidate will develop a detailed understanding of the sensors by working closely with technical staff members and participating during test execution, and collecting critical test data
• The candidate will be expected to help integrate cross‑platform code where applicable to increase efficiency and support technical staff perform detailed analysis on the collected test data
• Create dashboard GUIs which provide the ability to control system software, display current system status, record and playback data
• Mentor junior staff and interns, providing technical guidance and fostering professional growth.
• Communicate effectively with teams and stakeholders to refine methodologies and share results.
• Demonstrate curiosity and initiative, exploring new technologies to enhance testing capabilities.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to troubleshoot and create end‑to‑end systems.
• Develop innovative solutions for testing challenges, improving methodologies and systems.
• Promote mentorship and inclusion, encouraging diverse perspectives and a positive team culture.
• Participation in test planning and field test operations, as well as analysis and presentation of data collected during field tests
• The ideal candidate is self‑driven, has effective communication skills, and is comfortable working with fellow engineers to implement complex software projects
• Some domestic travel to support field and flight test campaigns will be required

• Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• In lieu of a Master’s degree, a Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years of directly applicable experience will be considered
• Practical software development experience with RF, IR, radar or optical sensors
• Understand interfaces between hardware and software systems
• Understanding design of engineering‑oriented user interfaces
• Experience with data collection systems in the RF, radar or optical domains is desire
• Knowledge of…