Principal Software Engineer (Onsite)

Job Description
We are seeking an experienced Senior Software Engineer to join our team in Rome, NY, supporting a long-standing cyber security contract. This role balances the stability of existing systems with the innovation of new capabilities. The ideal candidate will be deeply customer-focused, ensuring that all technical deliverables align with the operational mission and strategic goals. Because this is a long-standing contract, you will enter an environment with established stability and a deep institutional knowledge base. This position offers significant opportunities for growth, allowing you to learn new technologies that may lead into a future leadership role as you help shape the future of geospatial intelligence capabilities.
Key Responsibilities:

• New Development: Design the architecture and implementation of new software features and standalone applications, translating complex customer requirements into scalable, high-performance code.
• Adaptive Maintenance: Support the evolution of existing systems to ensure they remain compatible with changing hardware, operating systems, and external dependencies, ensuring zero degradation of mission-critical services.
• Customer Engagement: Foster a collaborative relationship with the Customer to identify pain points and propose proactive technical solutions.
• Technical Leadership: Provide mentorship to junior engineers, conduct rigorous code reviews, and establish engineering best practices across the development lifecycle.
• Strategic Planning: Contribute to the long-term technical roadmap of the contract, identifying opportunities for modernization and efficiency gains

Because of the need for consistent, in-person collaboration and/or the requirement to perform all work onsite due to the nature of this particular role, it will be performed full-time on site. This means work will be conducted on location at a BAE Systems facility 100% of the time
Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Must hold an active Top Secret security clearance
• BS degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field with at least 4 to 6+ years of related work experience, or a MS degree with 2 to 4+ years of related experience
• Applicant must be able to obtain and maintain the CompTIA Security+ certification
• Experience in the field of cybersecurity
• Experience with integrating Steganographic tools in development environments
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies
• Experience in Object-Oriented Design, development practices, and implementation using Java / Jakarta EE
• Experience building and maintaining RESTful Web Services and SQL databases (Postgres)
• Experience with Cloud Technologies, Python, Containerization (Docker), DevOps workflows, and Linux development environments
• Experience with version control and collaboration tools, automated testing frameworks, and CI/CD practices
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Ability to take initiative, multi-task and work well under pressure

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Hold an active TS/SCI clearance
• Master's degree in computer science or computer engineering
• Active CompTIA Security+ Certification
• Experience with build systems, such as Maven and Gradle
• Experience with Log4J, Apache, Junit, HP Fortify
• Experience with Steganography and Steganographic tool sets
• Hands-on experience with Front-end development, Spring boot framework, and scripting
• Technical writing skills: capable of creating and modifying engineering documentation

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107359 - $182510
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.