Software Development Engineer Intern Jobs in Virginia Beach, VA

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)
Security Clearance: Active SECRET Clearance Required (TS/SCI Eligibility Required)
Position Status: Contingent Upon Contract Award, Start Date: 28 September 2026

Position Overview

Check Defense is a fast-growing federal contractor seeking a highly skilled Software Engineer to support the development, integration, deployment, testing, and sustainment of software solutions for unmanned systems and mission technologies. This position supports software development across flight systems, command-and-control applications, autonomous navigation, communications architectures, sensor integration, mission-planning systems, and embedded computing platforms.

The Software Engineer will work as part of a multidisciplinary team supporting Group 1 and Group 2 unmanned systems and associated mission payloads. The successful candidate will develop software for embedded devices, flight-control systems, ground-control stations, autonomous capabilities, communications networks, and operator interfaces while supporting the complete software lifecycle from concept development through field deployment and sustainment.

• Experience supporting Group 1/2 UxS software development, integration, testing, and mission support
• Experience with commercially available UxS desirable
• Proficient in C, C++, and object-oriented software development
• Ability to deliver production software in agile environments
• Expertise in autonomous navigation and path planning
• Extensive knowledge of BetaFlight, ArduPilot, and PX4 (5 years)
• Experience with sensor fusion techniques
• Experience with QGroundControl
• Experience with Qt/QML interface development
• Familiarity with MAVLink protocol
• Python scripting proficiency
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking
• Network troubleshooting experience
• Ability to reverse-engineer complex codebases
• CAD experience
• Ability to build target software from source files.

• US. Citizen.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering or science discipline.
• Minimum of three (3) years of hands-on software-development experience with a degree; or seven (7) years of relevant experience without a degree.
• Recent software-development, integration, testing, or mission-support experience with Group 1 or Group 2 unmanned systems; relevant Group 3 experience may be considered.
• Active SECRET Security Clearance with eligibility to obtain and maintain TS/SCI access.
• Demonstrated experience developing software in C, C++, and Python.
• Experience with embedded systems, software integration, and troubleshooting complex technical systems.
• Experience with software testing methodologies, debugging tools, and configuration management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in fast-paced engineering and operational environments.

• Experience with ArduPilot, PX4, BetaFlight, or other flight-control frameworks.
• Experience with MAVLink communications and unmanned-system networking architectures.
• Experience developing autonomous-navigation and path-planning software.
• Experience with sensor integration, sensor fusion, and mission-payload integration.
• Experience with QGroundControl, Qt, QML, or similar user-interface development tools.
• Experience supporting military, Special Operations, intelligence, or defense-related unmanned systems programs.
• Experience with embedded Linux environments and software deployment processes.
• Familiarity with printed circuit board (PCB) integration and embedded computing devices.
• Experience supporting flight testing, operational assessments, and fielding activities.

• Software engineering principles and best practices
• Object-oriented programming and software architecture
• C, C++, and Python software development
• Embedded systems and firmware integration
• Autonomous navigation and flight-control systems
• MAVLink communications and unmanned-system protocols
• Sensor integration and sensor-fusion techniques
• TCP/IP networking and communications troubleshooting
• Ground-control software and mission-planning systems
• Configuration management and software-release processes
• Agile development methodologies
• Test automation, verification, and validation
• Technical documentation and reporting
• Written and verbal communication skills

Candidates must be capable of:

• Working in laboratory, office, integration, and field environments.
• Operating computers, test equipment, embedded systems, and communications devices for extended periods.
• Traveling domestically and internationally to support testing, demonstrations, exercises, deployments, and fielding activities.
• Operating in outdoor environments and varying weather conditions during testing events.
• Supporting occasional extended-duration field operations in austere environments.
• Performing system setup, equipment integration, and troubleshooting activities during laboratory and field-testing operations.

Travel

• CONUS and OCONUS travel may be required for testing, exercises, demonstrations, deployments, and fielding activities