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 is a leading global provider of mobile networking solutions for military, first responder, government, and commercial markets. We engineer our Wave Relay® MANET and Cloud Relay™ technology to transmit voice, video, and situational awareness under the most difficult conditions. Through the Wave Relay® Ecosystem, an alliance of industry-leading companies, Persistent unites warfighters, UGVs, UAVs, sensors, cameras, and devices on a common network. Persistent was founded in 2007 and has offices in New York City, Colorado, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Wyoming.