Principal Software Engineer

Job Description

Job ID: 2613119

Location: San Diego, CA, US

Date Posted: 2026-05-29

Category: Software

Subcategory: SW Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 25% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE

Description

SAIC is seeking a talented and motivated Principal Software Engineer to support advanced Very Low Frequency (VLF) communication systems for the U.S. Navy and Air Force. Join our innovative team in San Diego, CA, and contribute to mission-critical efforts in cutting-edge defense communication technology development, integration, and testing.

This will be an ON-SITE role in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area.

Your Role

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will be a key technical contributor supporting the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) for strategic RF and VLF communication systems. You will collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to design, develop, test, and integrate software solutions that directly support national defense communication missions.

Key Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain software for RF and VLF communication systems supporting U.S. Navy and Air Force operations
Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code in C, C++, and Java
Support the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) including requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, and deployment
Work within Agile/Scrum frameworks to deliver iterative software solutions on schedule
Develop and implement test procedures and scenarios for new and updated communication systems
Collaborate with hardware engineers to support hardware/software integration and system configuration
Participate in troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues during integration, implementation, and testing phases
Support FPGA development and integration efforts as needed
Contribute to waveform development and DoD communications system enhancements
Provide technical direction, mentorship, and training to junior engineers
Interface regularly with management, customers, and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and project success
Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including software design documents, test plans, and configuration guides

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or related field and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience.
Must have an Active Secret Clearance
Must be able to obtain a Top Secret Clearance
5-10 years of hands-on software development and engineering experience
Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming languages
Skills in establishing equipment configurations to meet operational requirements
Exceptional communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technologies quickly

DESIRED SKILLS:

Master's degree in related Engineering or Science field
Background in RF Engineering, with preferred experience in VLF systems
Experience working in Agile/Scrum development environments
Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification
Experience with DoD VLF message processing systems
Familiarity with waveform development and DoD communications systems
Understanding of VLF communication concepts and experience working with similar strategic communication systems
Experience supporting DoD defense programs and navigating DoD development processes
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Visio, Project, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .