Per Diem Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview
Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium's unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.
At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.
What We're Looking For:
If you enjoy learning about and working with breakthrough technologies, and are enthusiastic about working in the space industry, then you will be excited about the Software Engineer III opening with Iridium for a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. As a Software Engineer III, you'll independently deliver high-quality work and drive projects and deliverables to completion, including the development, enhancement, and maintenance of software solutions that support ground system operations. In this role, you will focus primarily on designing, coding, integrating, and testing software applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and contributing to the continuous improvement of ground software systems. You will thrive in this role if you are detail-oriented, proactive in solving complex technical challenges, and passionate about contributing to mission-critical software in the space industry.
This position requires an active/current Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).
What You'll Do:

• Work independently to develop and enhance software to meet the requirements of the SDA project
• Develop optimized code for both scalability and performance
• Work within the Agile/Scrum framework for software development (Atlassian tool suite desired)
• Participate in creating and/or maintaining build environments for software products
• Play a role in planning and executing software releases per stakeholder/program schedules and budgets
• Update issue/feature data in Atlassian Project/Software tracking tools
• Follow existing Iridium processes for Change Control, Prioritization, Risk Management, Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) Management, Build and Test software deployments and use knowledge to assist in development of process/procedure documentation materials
• Edit, structure and present data, concepts and arguments clearly and succinctly, through briefings and documentation
• Respond to questions from stakeholders, as appropriate

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years software programming experience
• Coding experience on Agile based teams
• Experience with one or more programming languages (e.g., C, C++, Python, Java, or similar)
• Familiarity with version control tools (e.g., Git) and basic debugging practices
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to confidently present products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues
• Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions or come up with solutions
• Be comfortable managing upward, including being a proactive communicator and asking for help when needed
• Have confidence and be able to establish valuable relationships with others
• Must be able to prioritize key tasks and have a strong sense of ownership over your work
• Be active in seeking out ways to continuously improve yourself and gain new knowledge

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• Experience working in Linux environments, including shell scripting
• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, Podman)
• Experience using CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps tools (e.g., GitLab, Artifactory, or similar)
• Experience designing or supporting microservices and RESTful APIs
• Experience working with relational and NoSQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
• Familiarity with cloud-based environments, including AWS
• Experience using Agile software development and collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence)

We'll also need you to:

• Be able to work in the office at least 3 or more days a week to foster collaboration with the team and stakeholders
• Be a U.S. Citizen

Work Environment:
This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.
We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium's Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.
Additional Information
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.
Base Pay Range: $100,000 - $130,000 USD
Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.
Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.