[Hiring] Senior Software Engineer, Systems FDE @Ditto

Role Description

As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you are the technical tip of the spear. FDEs are elite, versatile engineers who work shoulder-to-shoulder with our most critical users to solve complex challenges in real time. Your primary mission is to radically decrease the time-to-value of our software by integrating it directly into the user's operational environment.

Because you see firsthand how our technology performs in the wild, you will also act as a crucial conduit, feeding technical insights and feature requirements back to our core product engineering team. This role requires a highly adaptable problem-solver who is comfortable moving fast, navigating ambiguity, and figuring things out quickly in high-stakes environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Integrate with Military Avionics Data Buses:
  • Lead the on-site integration of our software with airborne and ground-based platforms by engineering data ingest and translation layers for MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 avionics buses.
• Implement Tactical Datalink Interfaces:
  • Architect and deploy software interfaces to parse, transform, and route messages from tactical datalinks including Link 16 and Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), ensuring reliable machine-to-machine interoperability in contested environments.
• Enable Cursor-on-Target (CoT) Data Flows:
  • Build and maintain robust CoT event pipelines that bridge platform sensor data into the broader C5ISR ecosystem, ensuring operational relevance and low-latency dissemination.
• Solve Problems in Real-Time:
  • Act as the first line of technical defense, rapidly diagnosing and resolving software, protocol, and integration issues as they arise on operational platforms.
• Bridge the Gap:
  • Translate the unique, edge-case operational realities you observe (e.g., non-standard bus configurations, latency-sensitive datalink traffic, platform-specific firmware constraints) into actionable technical requirements for the core product development team.

Qualifications

• Must hold an active TS/SCI clearance (Due to federal security clearance requirements, U.S. Citizenship is strictly required for this role).
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, embedded systems engineering, or systems integration.
• 2+ years of technical experience working with avionics bus standards such as MIL-STD-1553 and/or ARINC 429.
• Demonstrated experience with tactical datalink protocols (Link 16, SADL) and/or Cursor-on-Target (CoT) message formats.
• A highly adaptable, problem-solving mindset.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

Nice to Haves

• Direct experience with C5ISR system-of-systems architectures.
• Experience with real-time embedded operating systems.
• Familiarity with flight test or operational test environments.
• Experience with software-defined radios (SDRs) or waveform development for tactical communications.
• Previous experience working directly with DoD platform program offices.
• A background in systems programming (e.g., C, C++, Rust) alongside standard scripting.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-461 (EMI/EMC) or DO-178C software assurance considerations.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and meaningful equity.
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) and flexible spending accounts.
• Flexible time off.
• Access to Atlanta and San Francisco offices for remote workers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ditto is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Ditto is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know.