Strategic Software Development Engineer

York is seeking talented, cross-domain software engineers to join a small, empowered strategic development team focused on rapid prototyping and advanced development across York’s software portfolio. This team operates ahead of program need proving out new capabilities, de-risking emerging technology, and maturing prototypes to the point where they can transition into production programs. Scope spans across York software: Full stack web development, onboard embedded and real-time software, ground and cloud applications and tooling, and autonomy and machine learning.

This is a role for engineers who don't want to be boxed into a single layer. In a given quarter you might write real-time embedded code, build a full stack tool to visualize its output, and stand up an autonomy or ML component that ties them together, and then push it to simulation and ultimately space. We care about range, judgment, and the ability to reach a working demonstration more than years on any one stack. You'll own problems end to end, help pick the right tools, and hand mature prototypes off to the programs that will fly it.

Responsibilities

Prototype and build software across embedded, full stack, and autonomy to prove out new capabilities quickly

Take problems from concept to working demonstration, then to production-ready handoffs as they mature

Pick the right tools, framework, and architecture for the job — and learn new ones as needed

Partner with program and engineering teams to transition proven prototypes into York's production programs

Contribute to the team's lightweight engineering practices; write code and documentation clean enough for others to adopt

Explore emerging technology — autonomy, ML, modern tooling — and turn it into something that addresses a real mission need

Ship demonstrations and take direct ownership of your work in a small team with minimal overhead

Qualifications

BS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related field; advanced degree is a plus

3+ years in software engineering or software related application

Proven track record developing and delivering aerospace software, and taking prototypes through to production

Cross-domain range: depth in at least one of embedded/real-time, full stack, or autonomy/ML — and the ability and appetite to work across the others

Proficiency with C/C++, Python, C#, and Linux; experience with Rust, modern other web/cloud stacks, ROS 2, cFS, or ML frameworks a plus

A bias toward working software and demonstrations over process; comfort with ambiguity and self-direction

Fast learner who picks up unfamiliar stacks, domains, and problem spaces quickly

Aerospace, robotics, or other real-time or safety-relevant experience a plus, but not required

Active Secret clearance, or eligibility and willingness to obtain one

Willingness to work full-time in our Laurel, MD office; this position does not support remote or hybrid work