Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

Software Engineer Clearance Level: Must be able to obtain an Active Secret Clearance - Must be US Citizen At Aquila Technology, you will see our team's passion every day, whether we are building a robust, policy-compliant IT system or stress-testing a system to identify gaps and security vulnerabilities. To own the advantage, we ensure our team owns results and gets the work done right the first time by deploying smart, purposeful solutions that work. Aquila is the right people with the right skills driving the right outcomes. We call this the Aquila Advantage. Aquila Technology is looking for a highly skilled Software Engineer to support one of the nation's leading defense research organizations. This role offers the opportunity to help defend the nation in cyberspace by solving complex technical challenges and developing innovative solutions that support critical national security missions. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about cybersecurity, software engineering, and emerging technologies, and who thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, collaborative, and motivated to continuously learn and contribute to cutting-edge cyber operations and defense initiatives. What You'll Bring: * Architect, develop, and deploy cloud-native services using modern frameworks and container/orchestration technologies. Design and develop modern microservices using technologies such as Python, Java, and Node.js, including API design, service implementation, testing and validation, security, and deployment within modern infrastructure environments such as Kubernetes and Istio. * Design and implement data integration pipelines to ingest, transform, adapt, and synchronize diverse data sources using technologies such as Apache NiFi, Kafka/Kafka Connect, Pulsar, and Cribl. * Perform data analysis using tools such as SQL and Python Pandas to investigate and understand cyber-related data. * Create intuitive data visualizations and dashboards to clearly communicate results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders using platforms such as Kibana, Superset, and Grafana. * Support infrastructure automation and deployments using Docker, Ansible, Kubernetes, and Terraform. This includes developing automation for software configuration and deployment to AWS and ESX environments using containers and Ansible, as well as implementing infrastructure configuration with Terraform. Responsibilities also include using automation to secure and harden deployed services. * Perform software testing and compose, compile, and maintain documentation for users and administrators. Additionally, assist the development team in planning and executing effective Agile software development practices. Must Have: * Bachelor's Degree * 3 years Software Unit Testing * 3 years Software Documentation * 3 years Development experience on a Linux platform * 3 years GIT/GITHUB * 3 years Java/J2EE/JEE (JSP, SERVLETS, JDBC, JSTL, SOAP) * 3 years Java Development * 3 years JavaScript Development * 3 years Object Oriented Software Design and Development * 3 years Python * 3 years Software Design/Development * 3 years XML and SQL * 3 years Docker * 3 years Maven or Gradle, Git / Gitlab, Make / Autotools * 3 years Automated Build/Test environment (e.g., Bamboo) * 3 years DevSecOps environments (Github, Jfrog, Jenkins, GitLab, Fortify, Docker, Kubernetes, etc.) * 1 years Orchestration (Kubernetes/k8s, Tanzu, OpenShift, Rancher) Required: * Experience developing non-trivial applications using Python, Java, Angular, JSON, Maven * Experience with SQL * Experience with source code version control systems (i.e., git & Github) * Experience building secure software systems using secure software development best practices * Experience using (i.e. development for, configuration, deployment) Docker, Ansible, Kubernetes * Unit testing and integration testing * Developing, debugging, and executing software in a Windows and Linux environment. * Producing, editing and maintaining documentation aimed at users and other developers * Experience working in agile, scrum-based teams * Experience with software build systems (e.g. Bamboo, Jenkins) * Experience with user interface technologies (e.g. Javascript, HTML, CSS) * The software engineer must have a willingness to take on new technologies and work in areas and take on responsibilities that they are not necessarily an expert in. * The software engineer must be able to communicate, collaborate and work effectively within our JADC2 related systems. Key Responsibilities: * Develop and optimize DSP algorithms for tactical communication systems on commercial DSP platforms (NXP, TI, CEVA, or similar) * Develop software for RTOS environments with focus on task scheduling, inter-task communication, and interrupt handling * Write and debug low-level assembly code to maximize performance on DSP architectures * Collaborate with hardware engineers on board bring-up and system integration activities * Support CI/CD pipelines and maintain version control using Git * Leverage AI development tools (Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code, etc.) to accelerate development workflows * Debug complex issues spanning DSP firmware, RTOS, and hardware interfaces * Document designs, algorithms, and code to support long-term maintainability Required Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline * 3+ years of experience in embedded software development with focus on DSP applications * Experience developing code for commercial DSP chips/IP (NXP, TI, CEVA, or similar architectures) * Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and MATLAB for signal processing and embedded development * Understanding/Experience with Bare-Metal programing (i.e. direct register-level programming of peripherals, clock and power domain initialization, cache and MMU setup) * Experience with RTOS environments(i.e. task/thread scheduling, inter-task communication mechanisms, and interrupt handling) * Experience with assembly language programming (NXP-VSPA ISA knowledge preferred, but proficiency in x86/x64, ARM, etc. is acceptable) * Strong DSP fundamentals (i.e. frequency domain vs. time domain analysis, FFT/IFFT implementation, and FIR/IIR filter design) * Experience with AI-powered development tools and workflows (Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code, etc.) * Proficiency with Git version control * High ownership mentality: takes responsibility for outcomes and system reliability * Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, loosely defined environments * Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively * Experience with CodeWarrior IDE and NXP development toolchains * Experience with board bring up and boot process (i.e. First-stage bootloader, U-boot, Device Tree, etc.) * Knowledge of wireless communication system protocols and standards * Experience with JTAG debugging and hardware-software integration * Understanding/Experience in Embedded Linux development (i.e. kernel configuration, patching, building, device tree authoring/debugging, kernel module dev, root file system creation, etc.) * Previous work on tactical or software-defined radio (SDR) systems Benefits and Perks:
Aquila team members experience the opportunity to be part of a fast-paced, customer-focused, and technically innovative work environment. Aquila strives to deliver the best of the best in technical services to our customers. Candidates that possess a love for technical challenges, a desire to constantly learn, and the desire to establish themselves as critical players within a team will enjoy calling Aquila Technology home. Our Perks Include:
PTO - 15 days (vacation/sick) 10 paid holidays - 6 standard (New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) - 4 floating holidays prorated based on your day of hire: * 1.5 paid days, or 12 hours, for approved volunteer work * 1 week of paid maternity/paternity LOA after 1 year of Full-time employment Tuition & Training Reimbursement- 5K annually for pre-approved, Eligible full-time team members who have completed a minimum ofsix (6) monthsof employment may apply for tuition reimbursement for approved, job-related courses taken through an accredited college or university. Team members must achieve a grade of "B" or better to qualify for reimbursement.Aquila will reimburse up to $5,000 per fiscal year for tuition expenses only. Expenses related to training programs, certifications, books, materials, meals, transportation, or other non-tuition costs are not eligible under the Tuition Reimbursement Program. All tuition reimbursement requests must be submitted to and approved by the team member's Manager prior to course registration. Reimbursement will be issued upon successful course completion and submission of final grades and proof of payment. 401K with Fidelity - Eligible to participate following 90 days of employment. Company match on employee contribution: * $1/$1 up to 3%, then .50 cents / $1 for 4th and 5th %s * Fully vested from day one * Company match does not apply to catch-up contribution Cell Phone & Internet Reimbursedup to $150 monthly to cover cell phone, data, and home internet expenses. Aquila Technology will reimburse team members who work from home ONLY for cell phone/mobile device fees for work-related communications and/or operations each month. Employees eligible for this benefit must work remote 2 days a week or more to qualify. Buy Your Own Device (BYOD) -Team members are eligible for reimbursement of up to $1,500 every three (3) years for the purchase of electronic equipment used to access corporate services. To qualify for this benefit, employees must have completed a minimum of six (6) months of employment and must agree to and sign the Device Minimum Configuration Form prior to reimbursement. Electronic devices eligible under the Buy Your Own Device (BYOD) program are li