Senior Cyber Software Engineer

At Persistent Systems, our Wave Relay® MANET technology keeps warfighters, first responders, and critical missions connected in the most contested environments on earth. We're looking for a Senior Cyber Software Engineer who wants to work close to the metal on problems that matter. This is the kind of low-level, high-stakes engineering that most companies never get to work with. You'll join a team of engineers solving hard networking and security problems end-to-end: from Linux kernel modules and device drivers up through the cryptographic frameworks that protect every packet on the network. If you've ever wanted your C/C++ code to run on hardware deployed in the field rather than buried in a web stack, this is that role.

What you'll work on

• Architecting and implementing low-level embedded software across device drivers, Linux kernel modules, and network stack development
• Porting and optimizing our software for new embedded platforms as our hardware evolves
• Designing and building software security solutions that protect Wave Relay® networking products in the field
• Building cross-platform security components targeting Linux
• Developing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) frameworks and integrating OpenSSL directly into C
• Socket programming and application development on top of the Wave Relay® network
• Collaborating closely with hardware engineers — your code and their silicon ship together

The stack and tooling you'll work with

We invest in the tools that move senior engineers' output. You'll have day-one access to a modern development environment:

• AI-assisted development. Enterprise licenses for modern AI coding assistants (Claude Code) are deployed with security controls appropriate for our work, so you get the productivity gains without the IP-exposure risk. We treat these as force multipliers for senior engineers, not crutches for junior ones.
• Modern CI/CD. CI pipelines with hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure. Your kernel changes get built, statically analyzed, and flashed to real radios automatically on every PR.
• AI-augmented code review. Automated static analysis and AI code review running alongside human review — catches MISRA/CERT-C issues, memory-safety concerns, and crypto misuse before they hit main.
• Serious static analysis and fuzzing. Coverity, Clang static analyzers, and continuous fuzzing on the security-critical paths. If you've wanted the time and infrastructure to fix what these tools find, you'll have it here.
• Real hardware, real environments. Lab benches with the radios you're writing code for, RF test equipment, and the ability to reproduce field conditions.

Why senior engineers choose Persistent Systems 

• Independent, not a subsidiary. Persistent Systems is privately held and mission focused We're not a business unit reporting up to a Fortune 500 parent, so product direction, hiring decisions, and engineering trade-offs get made by the people building the radios, not filtered through a corporate roadmap review.
• Systems depth over surface work. This role is systems specific: kernel modules, wireless L2, PKI, OpenSSL in C. If your idea of a good week is tracing a driver bug through the network stack, you'll have peers here who think the same way.
• Mission focused, not process-focused. Small senior team, minimal layers between you and architectural decisions. You'll own significant portions of the stack rather than a slice of someone else's ticket queue.
• Mission you can point to. Our radios are the tactical networking backbone for U.S. and allied forces, federal agencies, and public safety teams worldwide. Wave Relay® is deployed, in the field, right now.

 Position Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing a wide range of low-level embedded software (including device driver, Linux kernel modules, network stack development, porting existing software to new embedded platforms, and other low-level programming activities), hardware development, as well as the development of application software running on the Wave Relay® network 
• Developing software security solutions for our Wave Relay networking products
• Cross-platform implementation of software security components targeting Linux OS
• Socket programming
• Programming OpenSSL frameworks in C for our Wave relay networking products

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent 
• 5 years of C/C++ programming experience in a Linux environment
• Product development experience
• Deep knowledge of Wireless Networking specific to layer 2
• OpenSSL programming experience in C
• Experience with Linux driver (e.g., wireless, network stack), Linux kernel, and kernel module development
• Must have the ability to obtain a United States security clearance 

 Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science or Computer Engineering
• FIPS validation experience
• A deep understanding of open-source VPN software
• Experience with cryptography related development
• Experience with shell scripting, network application development, distributed systems, and network protocol development
• United States security clearance  

The base pay for this role can vary from $179,000 to $228,000 a year based on individual qualifications. Eligibility for yearly discretionary bonus. Persistent Systems, LLC offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid time off (sick time and vacation time); flexible spending accounts; 401(k) plan with company match; fitness membership reimbursement; tuition assistance; mental health benefits; and pet discounts. We will accept applications on a rolling basis until the role is filled.

Persistent Systems, LLC, a leader in defense technology, has been engineering secure Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) solutions since 2007, enabling joint forces and multinational coalitions to communicate, collaborate, and achieve mission success. Persistent created the Wave Relay® Ecosystem, a unified data network for unmanned systems, sensors, and software, empowering warfighters to accomplish tactical objectives across the operational area.  Built on the company’s Wave Relay MANET and Cloud Relay™ technologies, this ecosystem delivers a global data fabric for military, first responders, and commercial users. Persistent has offices in New York City, Colorado, North Carolina, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.