Principal Software Engineer
Red6 • Louisville, Colorado, United StatesCompany Overview
Red 6 is an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) technology startup leading the way in synthetic air combat training. Our primary technology, supporting our ATARS product, enables pilots to simulate the cognitive challenges of flying while accessing realistic, scalable training in dynamic outdoor environments.
The Role
As a Principal Software Engineer at Red 6 you will take a critical role in designing and delivering next-generation AR pilot training and operating systems. This position is highly hands-on, driving complex software development. You will identify and implement novel solutions to cutting-edge augmented reality challenges, working across rendering systems, game engine infrastructure, simulation frameworks, and hardware-software integration. Your work will integrate state-of-the-art simulation technology with live aircraft and deliver high-impact capabilities to our military customers.
This is a functional management and developer role with a focus on delivery, technical leadership, and team development. Approximately 25% of your time will be spent performing management duties while the remainder will be focused on active software development.
Key Management Responsibilities
Lead and manage a team of software engineers working on AR/VR training systems
Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, career development planning, and technical mentorship
Participate in hands-on coding, technical design reviews, and code quality oversight.
Drive best practices in software development, including testing, performance optimization, and documentation.
Interface with internal stakeholders, military partners, and cross-functional teams to define technical solutions that meet mission-critical requirements.
Foster a collaborative, innovative, and disciplined engineering culture aligned with Red 6’s mission
Key Development Responsibilities
Design, develop, and optimize high-performance C++ applications for both general-purpose CPU/GPU computing environments and embedded System-on-Chip (SoC) platforms
Implement core features for synthetic reality applications including rendering systems, simulation frameworks, and data pipelines
Independently deliver complex designs or subsystems with little oversight
Collaborate with hardware, simulation, and design teams to deliver integrated AR solutions for military training environments
Develop and integrate safety-critical graphical user interfaces (GUI) for cockpit and mission display systems
Implement software in compliance with DO-178C (DAL A/B/C) and related avionics standards
Enforce secure software development practices aligned with DoD cybersecurity and RMF requirements
Contribute to testing strategies, tooling, and CI/CD infrastructure to ensure rapid and reliable delivery.
Support requirements decomposition, traceability, and verification activities
Participate in program reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR)
Support hardware/software integration in lab environments and ground test rigs
Optimize real-time and near-real-time performance across constrained embedded SoC environments
Debug and resolve system-level issues across processor, graphics pipeline, and I/O interfaces
Collaborate with human factors engineering to ensure compliance with MIL-STD-1472 and usability standards
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field
10+ years of professional C++ development, a Master's degree may count towards 2 years of experience
2+ years of experience in a software engineering management or technical leadership role.
Certified SCRUM Master or deep understanding of the SCRUM process
Experience developing and operating within a Linux operating system.
Experience developing in real-time operating systems (VxWorks, Integrity, DeOS, or similar)
Strong proficiency in C and C++ in embedded environments
Ability to create data driven visuals as well as control in game objects with exterior data
Acquainted with build processes, proficient in compiler toolchains, and experienced in content pipelines
Understand memory management, multithreading, runtime optimization, and inter-process communication
Strong 3D math, numerical computing, modeling, and simulation experience
Experience with Jira, Perforce, and Confluence or similar bug/task tracking and version control software
Professionalism and strong communication skills for customer interactions
This position may require security clearance. To obtain clearance, employees must show proof of US Citizenship
Preferred / Additional Skills
Experience with software integration, verification, and validation activities supporting SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and other SETR milestones
Experience developing safety-critical software in compliance with DO-178C
Experience with ARINC 653 partitioned environments
Familiarity with ARINC 661 Cockpit Display System (CDS) standard
Experience with embedded graphics frameworks (OpenGL, OpenGL SC, Vulkan, EGL, or similar)
Willingness to travel to customer sites
Full-Time Employee Benefits
Healthcare, Dental, and Vision (100% coverage for Employees)
Paid time off, including vacation, sick, paid holidays, and parental leave
Short and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
401(k) Retirement Plan
Voluntary Worksite Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity)
Note
Red 6 reserves the right to change its current benefits program at any time, in a manner that is consistent with applicable federal and state regulations.
This job description is not a contract and confers no contractual rights, privileges, or benefits on any applicant or potential applicant. Red 6 has the right to change any and all terms of this job description, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits. Nothing in this job description constitutes an offer or guarantee of employment.
Red Six Aerospace, Inc, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
California: https://www.caljobs.ca.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx
Colorado: https://www.connectingcolorado.com/
Florida: https://www.employflorida.com/vosnet/Default.aspx
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), Red 6 Aerospace, Inc. operating company you are applying to work for (hereinafter, “we”, “our”, or “us”) may collect personal information and use it for certain business purposes as described below in this Job Applicant and Employee Privacy Notice. We are required to disclose the following information to California “consumers” regarding our collection of their personal information. Under the CCPA, “consumers” means California residents, including job applicants, employees, or contractors of a business.