Software Engineer

*PROJECT DESCRIPTION:* The Networks and Communications Branch at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is dedicated to the innovation, development, and maturation of advanced tactical network and communications systems. This role provides critical support for various projects across the branch, focusing on ensuring the performance, reliability, and security of networked software systems. You will support a diverse portfolio of initiatives, including modernizing tactical communications through software routers like CaaS (Communication as a Service)—a specialized "tactical router" that integrates disparate networks into a cohesive, on-demand system for naval platforms and airborne assets. Your work will involve the full lifecycle of testing and evaluation, from lab-based emulation to real-world field experimentation, ensuring mission-critical data can be exchanged seamlessly across any data link. This position requires software development and engineering experience to support the design and construction of experimental frameworks. *TASKING & RESPONSIBILITIES:* In this role, the candidate will be responsible for supporting the performance test, evaluation, and integration of networked software systems through the following key activities: * *Experiment Design: *Design thoughtful experiments for networked systems. * *Automated Testbed Engineering: *Build and engineer simulation and emulation environments specifically focused on automation, composability, and flexibility to support experimental frameworks. * *Simulation & Emulation Development:* Develop and maintain high-fidelity simulation and emulation testbed environments (using tools like EMANE, CORE, and Docker) to enable large-scale testing of complex, heterogeneous networked environments. * *Field Experimentation & Support:* Support field experimentation and configuration efforts, including hands-on integration, deployment, and troubleshooting of networking equipment and optical/RF systems in operational or laboratory environments. * *Performance Test & Evaluation:* Perform rigorous performance test and evaluation of networked software systems, including traffic engineering and Quality of Service (QoS) analysis, to identify trends, anomalies, and potential improvements. * *Data Analysis & Visualization:* Apply data science techniques (Python, SQL, InfluxDB, Grafana) to collect, clean, and analyze metrics related to system reliability, latency, throughput, and packet flows, translating findings into actionable recommendations. * *System & Image Maintenance:* Develop and maintain software images and containerized environments for testing and deployment, ensuring compatibility with branch computing resources. * *Network Troubleshooting:* Capture and analyze network traces to diagnose connectivity, routing, and traffic-flow issues across diverse network architectures. * *Collaborative Engineering:* Collaborate with developers and engineers to execute multi-node scenarios, configure Linux-based systems and virtual machines, and support the Authority to Operate (ATO) and Interim Authority to Test documentation processes. *TECH STACK & EXPERTISE:* *Skills Required* * Python * Bash * Linux (RHEL8/Rocky8) * Docker * Git * SQL * FRRouting * TCP/UDP Protocols * Atlassian Tool suite (Jira/Bitbucket/Confluence/Artifactory) *Desired Skills* * Docker Compose * Virtual Machine knowledge with virt-manager * Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) * EMANE * Grafana * Influxdb *WORK ENVIRONMENT:* This is a smaller team with 10 team members. Due to the smaller nature of this project, you will be given more freedom to achieve and flexibility to make decisions that aren’t always available to those on larger development teams. The ability to work a hybrid schedule is also available. This is a *hybrid role*, requiring 3 days per week on-site at NRL and 2 days remote. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $90,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * Dental insurance * Flexible schedule * Flexible spending account * Health insurance * Health savings account * Life insurance * Paid time off * Parental leave * Referral program * Tuition reimbursement * Vision insurance Security clearance: * Secret (Preferred) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Washington, DC 20375