$120,000–$240,000
Software Engineer, Senior
Published · Updated
$165,000–$210,000annualizedDayton, OHOn-siteSenior
Senior Software Engineer on a small, technically focused team building Python tools for national security missions at a customer site in Dayton.
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At a glance
Posted base pay
$165K–$210KLevel with the median
Median $190K
This job$165K–$210KTypical senior FDE payMiddle 50% of 1,803 postings$160K–$220KThe work
Builds what the customer runs
Balance
- Mostly building
- Mixed
- Mostly pre-sales or support
Project stages
- Pre-sales (not covered)
- Proof of concept (not covered)
- Implementation
- Operations
- Coding
- Writes production code
- Builds for
- External customers
- Level
- Senior
- Role
- Individual contributor
What they ask for
Experience
Background
Tools
Less common in FDE jobs
- Company size: About 1,001–5,000 people16%
- Company stage: Later private33%
- On-site37%
- Individual contributor or manager: Individual contributor49%
Share of US FDE postings that state each fact.
The job description from GRVTY
Posted by GRVTY on
What Impact You'll Have
GRVTY is looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join a small, technically focused team supporting national security missions at a customer site in Dayton, Ohio. This is hands-on engineering work — you will be designing and building Python-based software tools that support optical signature modeling, spectral data analysis, and machine learning-enabled sensor workflows. The work spans algorithm development, data pipeline construction, and integration of ML capabilities into operational and analytical environments.
You will work directly with scientists, sensor domain experts, and intelligence analysts — translating complex technical requirements into functional, maintainable software. This is not a role for someone looking to coast. We want someone who is technically sharp, can operate with a degree of autonomy, and understands that the software they build has real downstream impact on mission outcomes.
What You'll be Owning
- Design, develop, and maintain Python-based software tools supporting optical signature modeling, spectral sensor data processing, and analytical workflows.
- Work with sensor physicists, data scientists, and machine learning engineers to translate technical concepts and mission requirements into working software.
- Build and optimize data pipelines for ingesting, processing, and analyzing large-scale scientific and sensor datasets.
- Develop and integrate machine learning workflows — including training data preparation, model integration, and evaluation — into operational toolsets.
- Create clear software architecture documentation, workflow diagrams, and code structure so tools can be maintained, extended, and transitioned effectively.
- Test, validate, and troubleshoot algorithms and software modules across development and deployment environments, including classified workspaces.
- Manage and maintain Git repositories with discipline — clean commits, meaningful documentation, and reproducible builds.
- Contribute to a culture of technical rigor: peer reviews, coding standards, and honest engagement with complex problems.
What You Must Have
- Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain SCI and CI polygraph.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related STEM field. Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered.
- 9+ years of professional software development experience, with demonstrated focus on scientific computing, algorithm development, data processing, or related technical domains or 7+ years of experience and a Masters degree
- Expert-level Python programming, including object-oriented design, modular architecture, and production-quality code.
- Experience developing software for data-intensive workflows — sensor data, scientific data, simulation, or equivalent.
- Ability to work from technical or scientific requirements and produce well-structured software architecture, logic flows, and implementation plans.
- Comfortable operating in both Windows and Linux environments, including secure or classified customer workspaces.
- Familiarity with source control and development tooling: Git, GitLab, Bitbucket, Jira, Jenkins, or equivalent.
- Strong communication skills — able to work directly with domain experts who are not software engineers and translate what they need into software that actually works.
What Would be Nice to Have
- Experience with optical signature modeling, EO/IR sensor data, spectral analysis, or hyperspectral data processing.
- Familiarity with machine learning frameworks and workflows: PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, or equivalent.
- Experience with scientific Python libraries: NumPy, pandas, OpenCV, SciPy, or similar.
- Background in signal processing, image processing, or remote sensing data workflows.
- Experience with simulation, modeling, or mission analysis software in a defense or intelligence context.
- Familiarity with ML/Ops practices — training pipelines, data labeling, model evaluation, and deployment workflows.
- Experience integrating algorithms into existing operational software suites.
- Proficiency in a secondary technical language: C, C++, MATLAB, Java, or Rust.
- Advanced degree in a relevant technical field (Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Image Science, or related).
- Prior experience supporting defense, intelligence, or classified customer environments.
- Experience with CI/CD practices, automated testing, and DevSecOps tooling.
Why Choose GRVTY
The toughest national security challenges demand vision and ingenuity, not just resources. We deliver mission and technical expertise to outpace our adversaries. We’re purpose-built to tackle the most entrenched, systemic national security issues around the world.
We partner with our customers to help them overcome challenges in every corner of technology and defense—including the ones still being explored. Our growing capabilities create complementary advantages, giving on-the-ground operations the edge they need to succeed. We muster everything we have to answer every challenge presented, every day of our lives.
At GRVTY, we believe that when our employees thrive, our company thrives. That’s why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance.
- Robust health plan including medical, dental, and vision
- Health Savings Account with company contribution
- Annual Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- 401k with generous company match
- Training and Development Opportunities
- Award Programs
- Variety of Company Sponsored Events
EEO Statement
GRVTY, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Anyone requiring reasonable accommodations should email recruiting@grvty.com or call 703-544-7930 with requested details. A member of the HR team will respond to your request within 2 business days.
Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov)
Please review our current job openings and apply for the positions you believe may be a fit. If you are not an immediate fit, we will also keep your resume in our database for future opportunities.
About GRVTY
Develops defense technologies, software and data solutions for U.S. and allied national security missions across space, spectrum, maritime and cyber domains.
Private Late · 1000–2000 people
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