Principal Automation Software Engineer

Description

The company builds space, defense, and national security technology, and this team works on automation software for laboratory systems, robotics integration, and high-throughput data pipelines.

This is the most senior hands-on software role in the defense and national security group, giving you technical authority over complex software for lab automation, robot integration, and high-volume data flows.

You will set technical direction for software architecture, control systems, and data infrastructure, and help shape software technology and process at an enterprise research and development level.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture, data flow, and integration strategy for robotic and mechatronic automation platforms, leading multi-phase programs from design through commissioning, validation, and global deployment.
• Build and maintain automation pipelines for high-throughput testing that connect proprietary sensors, robotic hardware, and custom data visualization tools.
• Oversee software quality across in-house teams and external suppliers, keeping technical, cost, and schedule targets on track.
• Define software baselines, version control approach, and configuration management for automation and instrumentation systems, and chair or support senior design and integration reviews against technical performance metrics.
• Design secure, scalable data handling, including input validation, database architecture, and real-time visualization, along with packaging and update distribution for consistent rollouts across multi-site installations.
• Act as the main software engineering contact for program management and internal customers, supporting technical interchange meetings, milestone reviews, proposals, cost estimates, and new business work.
• Mentor associate and mid-level software engineers, and lead process improvements, documentation standards, and knowledge sharing.
• Drive continuous improvement in automated software development environments to raise safety, quality, reliability, and throughput.
• Work with manufacturing, manufacturing development, safety, and compliance teams to build automation software practices into every stage of the product lifecycle, from short R&D projects to long production programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, software engineering, systems engineering, or a related STEM field, plus 7 years in automation software engineering, control systems development, or a similar technical leadership role; or a master's in a relevant field plus 5 years; or 11 years of hands-on automation software engineering in place of a degree.
• Track record leading the full software lifecycle for complex automation or instrumentation systems, from requirements through deployment and site acceptance, including baseline definition, version control, and configuration management.
• Experience designing scalable systems that integrate hardware, databases, and real-time data pipelines, using C, Python, C/C++, and SQL.
• Experience integrating robotic platforms (ABB, EPSON, FANUC, Cobots, Universal Robotics) and analytical instruments through custom software interfaces, with robotic software integration and motion control skills.
• Experience running software deployments across several sites or countries, including change management, tiered support, and self-installing deployment packages.
• Self-directed, able to solve hard problems from first principles with little supervision, both alone and as a team member in a fast-paced startup.
• Clear written and verbal communication with technical colleagues and executives.
• Commitment to safety, and experience working within OSHA, ITAR, and secure or classified environments; you must have or be able to obtain and keep an active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Applicants must be eligible for state and federal explosives licenses, meeting minimum age requirements of 21 and over, a drug-free workplace under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. §§ 8101, 8106), Executive Order 12564, DoD Instruction 1010.09, DFARS 252.226-7003, and any legally required background investigations.
• You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or be eligible to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce under ITAR (22 CFR Parts 120, 130) and EAR (15 CFR Parts 730, 774).
• Preferred: experience with energetic materials, solid rocket motor manufacturing, explosives, or other hazardous manufacturing environments.
• Preferred: background in laboratory automation, high-throughput testing, or analytical data pipelines in a defense or national security context.
• Preferred: Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) applied to automated software or production environments.

Conditions

Onsite in Penrose, CO, reporting to the Production Technology Development Manager.

Travel up to 20%, which may include overnights within the continental United States.

Ability to lift, move, or carry up to 50 pounds, and to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch in a manufacturing setting, wearing required personal protective equipment.

Base salary range of $140,000 to $170,000 USD for Colorado, set in good faith at posting. Placement depends on experience, skills, and location. The range covers base salary only, not benefits or bonus or incentive pay, and may change.

The company is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes minority, female, disabled, and veteran applicants; this description is not a contract, and management may change the scope of work at any time without notice.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off to recharge and keep a healthy work-life balance.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and families, with the company paying a significant share of premiums and many benefits paid at 100% for employees.
• Access to 12,700+ gym locations nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, and Chuze Fitness, with no long-term contracts and free on-demand workout videos before enrolling.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%.
• Company wellness programs for physical and mental well-being.
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources.
• A total compensation package with a flexible rewards program for professional and personal well-being.
• Working alongside a skilled team on mission-driven projects.