Defense Software Engineer Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Job ID: 6331A Date Posted: September 4, 2026 Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking an experienced Software Engineer or Systems Engineer to join our Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems Division. The selected candidate will provide subject matter expertise support to the U.S. Government team working on advanced Air Force training systems. This position will be embedded in the Government’s team helping to lead a complex system integration effort while providing technical documentation to support decisions that align with defense industry best practices, sound software systems engineering principles, and strengthen technical rigor. If you enjoy challenging design problems, we want you to join our team. This position will be in Ogden, UT. This position will require travel averaging 4 trip per quarter.

The Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems Division delivers mission-critical solutions, specializing in cyber operations, information architecture, strategic deterrence, and ISR. Our division’s commitment to innovation and security enables us to provide critical solutions across defense, intelligence, and national security. Join our team and contribute to the next generation of defense technologies.

• Works with multiple engineering disciplines to ensure that the system is designed, built, and fielded to meet requirements and enable flawless operations
• Supports the U.S. Government by overseeing and providing insight into the software architecture and multi-level software designs of a complex system of systems
• Focuses on assessment of all aspects of software design from requirements to the final system integration test plans
• Identifies, documents, and provides technical risk mitigation strategies
• Works side-by-side with the customer as a subject matter expert assessing designs
• Ensures that all subsystems are designed to integrate with minimal issues
• Enables Government ownership of the delivered technology
• Collaborates with representatives of several other corporate entities daily
• Participates in software requirements and designs analysis and development, threat assessments, vulnerability assessments, secure software architecture analysis, software test evaluation, and integration of applications
• Provides expertise on the decomposition of system level non-functional requirements and constraints down to software components to ensure that designs will pass certification

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field, e.g., computer science, computer engineering, software engineering
• 8+ years of experience with software and/or systems engineering experience designing complex software systems of systems – including validation and verification of requirements.
• Familiarity with software system design, development, deployment, and testing in containerized environments
• Fluency in an object-oriented software languages such as C#, C++ or Java
• Proficiency with software interfaces utilizing tools such as Google Protocol Buffers
• Familiarity with Day 0, Day 1, and Day 2 operations
• Proficiency with SysML (Cameo)
• Past experience with Requirements Management
  • Focused on software requirements
  • Requirements Development
  • Validation of requirements
  • Requirements tracing
  • Requirements Verification
• Technical and Program Risk assessment
• Defect burn-down and regression testing strategy development
• Identification of test interactions and dependencies
• Identification of integration metrics
• Familiarity with secure software development processes
• Demonstrated strong team and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers
• Must possess a working knowledge of system and software design patterns and how to apply them correctly to a given design problem
• Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
• Must be able to travel to Government, contractor, and customer facilities ~30% (nominally 4 trips per quarter)

• Solid understanding of API security concerns
• Experience with defense programs
• Experience deploying into air-gapped environments
• Comfortable with using the Atlassian suite (Confluence, Jira, etc.)
• Comfortable using version control tools such as Git and Bitbucket.
• Experience with Agile development.
• Comfortable with DoD DevSecOps principles.
• Experience with DoD mission operations networks.
• Comfortable complying with FedRAMP or other Gov. security standards.
• Active DoD SECRET clearance

• $97,000 - $180,000
  • Salary commensurate on education and relevant experience

This range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all U.S. locations. Specific salary details for a candidate’s preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process.

*SDL offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Visit our Benefits Page to learn more about what we offer.

SDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Our expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. Join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.

At SDL, we strive to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. We listen with open minds, seek to understand diverse perspectives, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We work together by sharing knowledge, involving others, and offering support. We trust and empower our team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. Above all, we deliver on our commitments to each other and to our mission partners.

The application window for this position is expected to remain open for approximately 7 days; however, it may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly.

For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact employment@sdl.usu.edu.