Software Engineer (SME)
Position Summary
The Software Engineer (SME) serves as the organization's senior technical authority for software engineering, architecture, and emerging technology integration supporting mission-critical government programs. This role provides strategic technical leadership across the software development lifecycle, driving innovation, engineering excellence, and modernization initiatives that advance customer mission objectives. The SME guides enterprise architecture decisions, establishes software engineering standards and best practices, and leads the adoption of advanced technologies, including cloud-native platforms, digital engineering capabilities, AI-enabled development processes, and automated testing frameworks. Working closely with government stakeholders, program leadership, architects, and engineering teams, this position shapes the technical vision and roadmap for complex mission systems and enterprise-scale solutions.
Security Clearance Requirement: Candidates must possess an active TS/SCI clearance at the time of application. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Key Responsibilities
· Serve as the senior technical authority for software engineering, architecture, and software modernization initiatives across the program.
· Define and enforce software engineering standards, architectural principles, development methodologies, and technical best practices.
· Lead architecture and design efforts for enterprise-scale software systems, distributed architectures, and mission-critical applications.
· Provide expert technical guidance, mentorship, and oversight to software engineers, architects, and cross-functional technical teams.
· Evaluate, prototype, and integrate emerging technologies, development frameworks, cloud services, and AI-enabled engineering capabilities to improve mission outcomes.
· Drive implementation of digital engineering, DevSecOps, automation, and software modernization strategies across the development lifecycle.
· Lead technical reviews, architecture assessments, code quality initiatives, and engineering governance activities.
· Collaborate with government stakeholders, program leadership, and technical teams to align technical solutions with mission objectives and operational requirements.
· Support capture activities, proposal development, solution architecture, and technical volume creation for new business opportunities.
· Identify and mitigate technical risks while developing long-term technology roadmaps that support program growth and innovation.
Required Qualifications
Clearance
- Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance is required.
Education
· Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
Experience
· 12 or more years of experience in software engineering, software architecture, systems integration, or enterprise application development.
· Demonstrated experience leading architecture and design efforts for complex, large-scale software systems.
· Experience establishing software engineering standards, development practices, and technical governance processes.
· Experience leading software modernization, cloud migration, digital engineering, or DevSecOps transformation initiatives.
· Experience evaluating and integrating emerging technologies into enterprise and mission-focused environments.
· Experience providing technical leadership across multiple engineering teams and stakeholder organizations.
· Experience supporting federal government programs and mission-critical systems operating within secure or classified environments.
· Experience supporting proposal development, technical solutioning, or strategic technology planning activities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Expert knowledge of software architecture, software engineering principles, and modern development methodologies.
· Deep understanding of cloud-native architectures, distributed systems, microservices, and API-driven solutions.
· Expertise in DevSecOps, CI/CD automation, software quality engineering, and secure software development practices.
· Knowledge of digital engineering, AI-enabled software development, automated testing, and software lifecycle modernization.
· Ability to define technical strategy, architecture roadmaps, and enterprise engineering standards.
· Strong analytical and systems-thinking skills for solving highly complex technical challenges.
· Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, government stakeholders, and technical teams.
· Ability to balance mission requirements, technical innovation, cybersecurity considerations, and operational constraints.
· Ability to lead technical decision-making across complex, multi-disciplinary engineering environments.
Desired Skills
· Enterprise software architecture and technical strategy
· Cloud-native development and multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
· Digital engineering and AI-enabled software development environments
· DevSecOps transformation and CI/CD automation
· Microservices, distributed systems, and API management
· Systems integration and mission systems engineering
· Software modernization and cloud migration initiatives
· Technical leadership, mentoring, and engineering governance
· Advanced algorithms, data processing, and performance optimization
· Emerging technology evaluation and innovation planning
Preferred Certifications
· Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
· AWS Solutions Architect – Professional
· Google Professional Cloud Architect
Work Environment
- Full-time position supporting a federal customer at a contractor site within the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.
· Candidate must be able to work onsite at government facilities if needed by contract performance.
- Occasional local travel within the National Capital Region (NCR) may be required.
Company Overview
Ad hoc Research Associates, LLC is a veteran-owned services company that delivers innovative solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients. Specializing in Systems Engineering services, the company supports major Department of Defense acquisition programs and Research & Development projects across areas such as Cyber Analytics, Modeling & Simulation, Systems Integration, and Test & Evaluation. Job Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Software Engineer Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will leverage your extensive technical expertise to develop, integrate, and optimize complex software solutions. Your contributions will be instrumental in advancing our research initiatives and supporting critical defense systems through innovative application development, system integration, and infrastructure management. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects within a collaborative environment that values technical excellence and continuous improvement.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Lunch & learns
- Military leave
- Paid holidays
- Paid jury duty
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Software development: 10 years (Required)
Security clearance:
Ability to Commute:
- Chantilly, VA 20153 (Required)
Work Location: In person
