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Software Engineer, Mission Dev - Federal

New York, NY
Washington, D.C.
Federal
In office
Full-time

About Nominal

Nominal is building the connected test and operations platform powering the world's most advanced hardware systems, from spacecraft and autonomous vehicles to next-generation defense programs. Our platform gives hardware engineering teams a single place to ingest data, analyze performance, automate test execution, and collaborate across every phase of development, so they can move faster without sacrificing safety or precision. We're a fast-moving team that owns problems end-to-end, works across disciplines, and thrives at the intersection of hardware and software.

We serve top-tier commercial and defense customers, from autonomy leaders like Anduril and Shield AI to next-generation aerospace teams like Hermeus and REGENT, and performance engineering teams like Pratt Miller Motorsports, alongside mission partners within the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force on programs where failure isn’t an option. We’re backed by Sequoia, General Catalyst, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, and Lightspeed. Our team draws from SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, Applied Intuition, and other leading companies, united by a common mission: giving hardware engineers the tools to build the future with speed, safety, and confidence.

As a Software Engineer on the Mission Dev team, you will operate at the intersection of software engineering, customer deployment, and mission‑critical federal programs. You are not just shipping code — you are embedding with customers, deploying software into high‑stakes environments, and owning outcomes from first integration to long‑term success. You will bridge Nominal’s platform with real‑world federal applications across the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, and other U.S. government agencies.

This is a hybrid of software engineer, forward‑deployed engineer, and technical program lead. You will write production‑grade code, design integrations, manage deployments on government networks, and serve as a trusted technical advisor to mission operators. If you think like a startup founder, thrive in ambiguity, and want to see your code powering rocket test stands, autonomy labs, and mission‑critical defense programs, Nominal is the place to do it.

About the role

Mission Dev is one of the most unique roles at Nominal. You'll write production‑grade code, embed with federal customers on‑site, and own the bridge between what our platform offers today and what a government program needs to succeed.

That might mean deploying Nominal onto a classified network for a Navy flight test squadron, building a custom telemetry pipeline for a DoD autonomy program, or standing up integrations at a NASA test facility, then watching an engineer use what you shipped yesterday and iterating on the spot. You'll work inside the constraints that come with federal environments: accreditation processes, air‑gapped networks, strict cybersecurity requirements, and government acquisition timelines. The role requires someone who can deliver high‑quality software without losing velocity in these environments.

Mission Devs are brought in when there's a specific technical gap to bridge. You might get looped in during pre‑sales to integrate a program's data and demonstrate how Nominal fits their mission workflows, or you might be building program‑specific tooling mid‑deployment that evolves into a permanent product capability. The work you do for one program often becomes a core product used across our entire customer base — our video‑alongside‑telemetry capability, for example, started as a single customer need and is now a platform‑wide feature. The "last 10%" looks different for every mission, and that's what makes the work compelling.

What we’re looking for

• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, forward‑deployed engineering, or a technical role that combined building with customer‑facing work.
• Experience working with or inside U.S. federal agencies, particularly DoD, and with deploying software on U.S. government networks.
• Track record of shipping production software in dynamic or ambiguous environments.
• Strong systems thinking — you can understand complex technical ecosystems end-to-end.
• Clear communicator, comfortable writing technical documentation and presenting to executive stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.
• Curiosity about hardware systems and willingness to learn the physical domains our customers operate in.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance. Active clearance is a strong plus.

Why Nominal

• Mission‑critical impact with top‑tier federal and commercial customers
• Backed by world‑class investors
• Work alongside elite engineers from SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, and more
• Build and deploy real systems powering rockets, aircraft, autonomous systems, and national security infrastructure

At Nominal, your code doesn’t sit in a demo environment — it powers real missions.

Benefits/Perks

• 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Unlimited PTO and sick leave
• Free lunch, snacks, and coffee
• Professional Development Stipend
• In‑office hardware lab with a $250 project stipend
• Annual company retreat

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Compensation

The base pay range for this role is $150,000 – $215,000 per year.