Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer Jobs in Fullerton, CA

MODERNIZE THE SYSTEMS BEHIND THE VEHICLES

Flyer Defense builds the light tactical vehicles that U.S. special operations forces and allied militaries rely on in the world’s most demanding environments. Behind every vehicle that rolls out the bay door is a production and logistics operation that has to run just as reliably — and that’s where you come in.

As our Full-Stack Software Engineer, you’ll own the internal platform that keeps production and business operations moving: building features, integrating with our ERP and supplier systems, and hardening the security of everything you touch. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who wants to build real systems for a real mission.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

•Build the platform. Develop and maintain the company’s internal production and logistics platform (PHP/Laravel, MySQL).

•Connect the systems. Design and build integrations with the company’s ERP system, Infor SyteLine, as well as payment and supplier systems.

•Secure the stack. Lead security remediation and secure development practices consistent with the company’s CMMC Level 2 and ITAR compliance obligations.

•Deploy with confidence. Develop and deploy applications on AWS GovCloud.

•Work across the stack. Build backend services, design databases, and develop modern JavaScript front ends.

•Work smarter. Employ AI-assisted development tools (such as Claude Code, Cursor, or GitHub Copilot) as a core part of your engineering workflow.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

•Minimum 6 years of professional software engineering experience, including substantial full-stack development.

•Proficiency with AI-assisted development tools and demonstrated use in production work; be ready to walk through your workflow during the interview process.

•Strong systems design skills, including data modeling, API design, and integration architecture.

•Demonstrated ability to quickly become productive in unfamiliar languages, frameworks, and systems- our platform is built on PHP/Laravel and MySQL, but prior experience with this specific stack is not required.

•Working knowledge of application security fundamentals, including authentication, authorization, and secrets management.

•Excellent verbal and written communication skills, comfortable moving between engineering, operations, and leadership.

•Must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, political asylee, or refugee).

NICE TO HAVE

•Experience with AWS GovCloud, FedRAMP, or other regulated environments.

•Experience in a manufacturing or defense environment.

•Familiarity with Infor SyteLine or similar ERP systems.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary: $130,000–$150,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; paid time off; company-paid holidays.

Location: On-site at our Los Angeles headquarters. This is a full-time, in-person role.

Flyer Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a proud federal contractor. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In accordance with federal law, we will not discriminate against applicants for inquiring about or disclosing compensation. This position requires access to information controlled under ITAR; candidates must qualify as a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.62. Pursuant to the CCPA/CPRA, personal information collected during the application process is used solely for employment-related purposes. Employment with Flyer Defense is on an at-will basis as permitted by California law.

Flyer Defense LLC was formed in 2000 to provide mission specialized, lightweight, off-road wheeled tactical vehicles capable of internal transport in rotary and tilt wing aircraft.

The Flyer family of successfully tested and certified Advanced Light Strike Vehicles are interoperable and interchangeable (high degree of commonality), thus enabling mission, focus and role to be customized, all from the two base vehicle width architectures for immediate operational and/or combat relevance configuration.