Space Payload Prin Software Engineer - SIGN-ON BONUS
BAE Systems · Broomfield, CO
$97,008–$164,914from the description
Jul 6, 2026
Broomfield, CO
Jul 21, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A principal-level embedded software engineering role focused on developing software for a space-based RF payload, writing primarily in C/C++. The work involves contributing to architectural decisions, collaborating across sites and disciplines, and responding to evolving requirements. Best suited to experienced embedded developers with a background in satellite payload programs and an existing Secret clearance.
Senior level · 6+ years · National · Bachelor's required · Secret clearance · Full-time
Advertised as Principal, but the requirements read as Senior.
“or” means any one of them counts — you don't need all of them.
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
What the occupation pays Median $138,970 (middle half $107,524–$175,762). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (6)
The job title includes 'Prin' (Principal) Software Engineer, which drives the level advertised in the title to Principal; however, the actual requirements — 6 years of embedded experience and a Bachelor's degree — are consistent with a Senior-level role, not a true org-wide Principal.
The clearance gate is stated as 'an existing Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.' The hard gate is the active Secret; TS is aspirational. Clearance is set to Secret accordingly.
C and C++ appear to be the intended languages ('C or C' in the posting, likely a formatting artifact for 'C or C++'); both are captured under a single skill with C++ as an alternative.
Preferred skills (RF/SDR familiarity, SW architecture, automated build pipelines, OpenC3 COSMOS) are listed under the 'Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills' section and are treated accordingly.
Ignored 4 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): embedded software development, satellite payload development, RF / software-defined radios, software architecture.
Requires a Secret clearance — the cleared population is a small fraction of this occupation, so the real candidate pool is materially smaller than the estimate below, which does not model clearance.
Read the full posting
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