- Pay
- $71–106k
- Where
- New York City, NY · UK
- Level
- Mid
An exceptional opportunity for a senior Cleared Software Engineer to shape the future of Defence & Government in New York.
Defence programmes run on code that cannot fail, and the firms behind that code rarely get public credit for it.
This is an established, growing SME working on sensitive government and defence systems, the kind of organisation where a software engineer's work genuinely has national consequence.
The team is small enough that your contribution is visible, and structured enough that you're never left guessing what's expected of you.
Here's what you'll be doing: Design and build secure software for defence and government clients, working across the full lifecycle from requirements to deployment Write, test and maintain code that meets strict security and compliance standards, including those specific to cleared environments Collaborate with systems engineers and programme leads to translate mission requirements into working software Debug and resolve issues in production systems where downtime or errors carry real operational weight Document technical decisions clearly enough that another engineer could pick up your work without a handover call Mentor junior engineers on the team as the group continues to grow Here are the skills you'll need: Active security clearance, or clearability, is required for this Cleared Software Engineer role Solid experience in a language relevant to defence systems work (C++, Java, Python, or similar) A working grasp of secure coding practices and software assurance standards within Defence & Government environments Comfortable owning a problem end to end, not just the parts that are interesting Clear written and verbal communication, especially when explaining technical risk to non-technical stakeholders Prior experience on cleared or government contracts is a strong advantage Key perks and benefits: $70,500 to $106,000, depending on experience Private medical insurance and pension contribution Generous annual leave with flexible working built around office-based collaboration Bonus scheme tied to company and individual performance Defined career path with real room to grow as the company scales This is an office-based role in New York.
The team values being in the room together, particularly given the sensitivity of the work.
Why pursue a career in Defence & Government?
Defence and government software work doesn't move in hype cycles.
Budgets are long-term, programmes span years, and the demand for cleared engineers in New York consistently outstrips supply.
Few sectors offer this combination of job security, intellectual challenge and genuine stakes.
A Cleared Software Engineer who performs well here tends to stay valuable for decades, not just years.
This Cleared Software Engineer opportunity is brought to you by The Opportunity Hub UK.