Software Developer / Integration Engineer

About

Riptide Technology is hiring a Software Developer / Integration Engineer for a hybrid role out of Washington, DC at the Naval Research Lab. The Software Developer / Integration Engineer will join the TNM team.

Tactical Network Modeling (TNM) is a network emulation and modeling environment for virtual field testing multi‑path, mesh, and advanced networking protocols across all operational domains; from space to seabed. Mission‑driven metrics are used to evaluate the network’s performance using event‑driven scenarios. The TNM toolset creates digital twins of the protocol stack under‑test across all of the relevant nodes in the network topology and then simulates the scenario using either virtualized hardware or physical connections to actual hardware in the loop. The state of the network and its performance metrics are stored in a time‑series database and evaluated in real‑time.

Work will be split between home (telework) and NRL (maximally 2‑3 days per week) at the discretion of the program manager.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and integrate existing subsystems leveraging Python to orchestrate the latest network technology and tools within the TNM tool suite.
• Develop glue code between subsystems using Python.
• Apply AGILE software development practices for Linux environments pursuing network modeling/simulation for wired and wireless network applications.
• Follow coding standards, configuration management, CDCI, VMs, containerization, and Linux application best practices.
• Perform daily coding of networking tools to model unique networking architectures with a focus on analytics that provide metrics on network performance.
• Work as a self‑starter engineer adaptable to changing and dynamic requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Math, Computer Science, or Network Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in software development.
• Proficiency in Python 3.9, VMs, Podman and Docker container creation, Dockerized subsystems, Docker/Podman Compose, custom interface creation, gRPC, REST.
• Experience with AGILE tools such as Bitbucket, JIRA, Confluence, and Jenkins workflows; familiar with build manifests and automated testing with Pytest.
• Skills in data model creation, large data processing, task & queue automation, subclassing, robust regex creation, build‑chain tracking, Sphinx, and self‑documentation.
• Familiarity with Linux system administration (Red Hat 9), Python and Linux scripting, OSquery.
• Knowledge of software packaging and ability to install/configure Linux as well as perform minor system/network administrative functions.
• Understanding of Atlassian tools (Confluence, Git, Jira, Jenkins, Artifactory).
• Experience with version control (Git), code reviews, pull requests, and merging.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with network modeling/simulation and network modeling tools.
• Solid foundation in industry/standard network technologies (routers, switches, spanning tree, routing protocols).
• Familiarity with MANETs and related protocols (e.g., IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, PPP, Ethernet).
• Knowledge of Software‑Defined Networking architecture and service‑based implementations.
• Understanding of traffic engineering concepts such as prioritization, QoS, class of service for L2 radio/router.
• Familiarity with network security abstraction, including end‑to‑end crypto solutions such as HAIPE.

Security Clearance Requirements

• Active SECRET clearance required to work at NRL.
• Candidate may eventually be required to possess an active TOP SECRET/SCI clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain a CI polygraph.

Benefits

• 401(k) company contribution equivalent to 10 % of salary, immediately 100 % vested, no matching required.
• 100 % company‑paid dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Employer‑provided health insurance (employee and family coverage), 85 % company‑paid.
• 6 weeks annual paid time off for holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• 12 weeks paid family leave.
• 2‑5 days bereavement leave.
• 2 weeks Military Reserve Duty differential pay for qualifying events.
• Opportunities for annual performance‑based bonuses.