Engineer Principal – Ground/Application Software
BAE Systems
Aurora, CO · Posted October 23, 2026
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Where Aurora, CO ranks
Where Aurora, CO placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #3Best all-round cities for new graduates in the Mountain West61 / 100 · of 11
- #4Best cities for pay after cost of living in the Mountain West$139k · of 11
- #5Best all-round cities for AI careers in the Mountain West54 / 100 · of 11
- #6Best college towns for junior jobs in the Mountain West30% · of 14
- #6Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Mountain West137 openings · of 22
- #7Best cities for junior jobs in the Mountain West29% · of 19
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among software developers, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for software developers: 29% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
BAE Systems has filed 2 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 174 workers, most recently March 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
Job Description The Software and Ground Solutions group at BAE Systems Inc Space and Mission Systems (SMS) is looking to expand our team with a talented and energetic software engineer focused on delivering high-quality, embedded satellite software and associated test infrastructure. This position supports a portfolio of software programs. Technology areas include software development, CI/CD, Containerization, C/C++, Rust, Python, and Ruby.
The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.
What You’ll Do:
Develop satellite command and control, mission planning, and data analysis software systems,
Perform full software life cycle functions including requirements, architecture, design, code, test, integration, documentation, and support.
Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
Perform other duties as necessary.
On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions:
Please note that this position requires a security clearance crossover. This may require the hired candidate to work short-term at an alternative BAE Systems location within the Denver Metro Area.
Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
May access other facilities in various weather conditions.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 6 or more years related experience
Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
A current, active TS/SCI security clearance is required.
Experience in one or more of the following technology areas: Cloud development using AWS, Lambda, Docker, and Kubernetes.
Web and REST service development using Spring, Jersey, Flask, CherryPy, or Ruby on Rails.
Front-end and UX development using JavaScript, Angular, React, JavaFX, Python, or Qt.
Back-end development using SQL and NoSQL databases, and JPA/ORM.
Modeling, planning, or scheduling software development in languages such as Java, C++, or Python.
Experience with object-oriented design.
Experience generating UML Class, Sequence, and Activity diagrams.
Experience with formal software development practices including the use of software configuration management, coding standards, and style guides.
#LI-AP1 Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills Additional experience helpful in the following technologies: Cyber and cloud development using AWS or Azure.
Microservice architectures.
Message brokers (MQTT, AMQP, Kafka).
REST and web app JavaScript framework development using Angular, React, Vue.
Web services (Nginx, Apache).
Database (Postgres).
Experience with requirements derivation.
Experience generating UML Class, Sequence, and Activity diagrams.
Experience in developing test, simulation, or data processing applications in high-level languages such as Python, Ruby, or MATLAB.
Experience using Cameo or PlantUML for Design.
DevSecOps.
Testing frameworks (gtest, ctest, test-driven development, hardware-in-the-loop).
A working knowledge of Agile lifecycles and activities in each phase.
Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $118095 - $200762
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics. About BAE Systems, Inc. BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.