Software Systems Engineer

Company: Space Ground System Solutions
Location: Alexandria
Posted on: February 20, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description SGSS, a Parsons company, has an immediate full-time opening for a Software Systems Engineer working at our office in Alexandria, VA. SGSS seeks a cloud native software systems engineer who will architecture, design, and implement technologies for distributed space/ground antenna services using contemporary distributed API development (REST) technologies, as well as message-oriented middleware for publish/subscribe. The engineer will be primarily responsible for technical development but will also address the full lifecycle of customer engagement; requirements clarification; architecture and design; team leadership; deployment and delivery; and standing up operations and maintenance teams as needed to sustain the delivered product. The candidate will be responsible for the design and implementation of message formats and APIs, underlying middleware, provide developer documentation and testing, and deliver a software development kit with business object bindings and other helper code to enable internal software developers and external API consumers. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Contributes to the architecture and implementation of specification and middleware which will provide request/response and publish/subscribe messaging for NRL's ground systems software and systems Use of NATS.io, Google Protobufs, REST and OpenAPI Develop prototypes, examples and production cloud-native services to demonstrate new features, and deliver new services for antenna sharing, as well as distributed spacecraft C2, mission planning, orbital mechanics, ground system visualization. This is a full-stack development effort, with a focus on the software development, visualization, and cloud infrastructure elements of the problem Integrate specialty equipment and proprietary software management and status for RF/SDR Provide implementation and quality assurance over a multi-language integration effort including C/C++, Go, Python, and Java Aggressive design and implementation of contemporary approaches to secure software development Integration of active and passive cyber resilience capabilities into a full-stack implementation Bootstrap a governance effort to help build developer community consensus around shared interfaces and messages and enable bottom-up engineering of application specific capabilities Integrate with NRL's Neptune and Kuiper C2 software to enable mission SOC and NOC side integration Integrate with NRL's ground station sites to expose antennas and services over well-defined APIs Develop a continuous integration and test approach to exercise developmental capabilities for the organization Develop and integrate a monitoring and cyber defense regime across the stack, and across the enterprise Work with mission and system partners to identify and deliver end-to-end comms and services Integrate with NRL's existing antenna broker activities for transport, broker, and scheduling of enterprise antenna resources REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS Active DoD SECRET clearance , with ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance within 18 months from date of hire Must be a US citizen B.S. in Computer Science/Engineering or other relevant field from an accredited university or equivalent combination of formal education Minimum 20 years' experience in a professional relevant field 20 years of growing scope of responsibility and technical stature in software systems engineering AWS, virtual private cloud, and hybrid deployment Full-Stack Software Development, Integration, and Test Familiarity with network engineering Infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Terraform) Engineering and implementation of cyber/security related resilience approaches across the stack from physical compute and network through application layer Demonstrated leadership of projects including a breadth of engineering outside immediate discipline (e.g., Networking; physical computing; security; systems engineering) Excellent technical communication skills demonstrated through leading training; technical writing; work in professional or standards organizations; etc. PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS Strong preference for candidates holding current TS/SCI Formal gov't authorization of commercial cloud (e.g., AWS GovCloud) hosted systems Experience with classified commercial cloud environments Defensive cyber operations development and operations Development of structures and execution of mentorship and small technical team leadership Space Ground Systems Solutions (SGSS), a wholly owned subsidiary under the Parsons Corporation, is passionate about making our nation the undisputed leader in Space because we understand that ensuring our security for future generations depends on it. We have emerged as a leader in the development of cutting-edge solutions for the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. Our tremendous success can be attributed to our people and our priorities. Do you want to be part of a team that is helping the government solve major national security challenges in the space domain? We need your help. SGSS believes in taking care of their employees by offering: ALL benefits fully funded , for your entire family this includes Medical/Dental/Vision/Group Life/STD/LTD - no employee premiums SGSS funded HSA (Health Savings Account) provided with SGSS funding the maximum amount allowed by the IRS Retirement Savings Plan (RSP/401k) with a 20% annual company contribution - no employee contribution required Apply now to work for a company that truly believes YOU are the key to OUR success . . . Come BE the difference. Applicants selected for this position will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or applicants who are eligible for security clearances. SGSS is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. If the offer is accepted for this position the candidate would be required to successfully complete drug screen and background check.

Keywords: Space Ground System Solutions, North Bethesda , Software Systems Engineer, IT / Software / Systems , Alexandria, Maryland