Principal Software Engineer

Company 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 Software Engineering team at Red 6 develops next-generation AR pilot training systems. We engineer high-performing and highly advanced augmented and virtual reality platforms and infrastructure to support our military partners’ operations. This enables us to collaborate and train with the world’s most advanced military systems and enhance the capabilities of the world’s most important line of defense.

As a Principal Software Engineer at Red 6, you will take a critical role in designing and delivering next-generation AR pilot training and operations systems. This position is highly hands-on, driving complex software development while also providing functional leadership to a small, high-performing engineering team. 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 role is ideal for a technical expert who thrives in solving deep engineering challenges while shaping the performance and growth of a focused engineering team.

• Design, develop, and optimize high-performance software for AR/VR systems using C++ and Unreal Engine.

• Architect and implement core features for synthetic reality applications, including rendering systems, simulation frameworks, and data pipelines.

• Collaborate with hardware, simulation, and design teams to deliver integrated AR solutions for military training environments.

• Provide functional leadership for a team of four engineers, setting technical direction, reviewing code, and promoting engineering best practices.

• Conduct regular mentorship and coaching to elevate both technical skills and professional growth within the team.

• Evaluate and integrate new technologies to enhance system performance, visual fidelity, and real-time responsiveness.

• Own end-to-end delivery of complex software components from prototype through deployment on live aircraft and training systems.

• Ensure software is scalable, secure, and aligned with Red 6’s mission-critical quality standards.

• Drive problem-solving across the full software stack, including multithreading, memory management, and real-time data processing.

• Interface with stakeholders and military partners to translate operational needs into technical capabilities.

• Contribute to testing strategies, tooling, and CI/CD infrastructure to enable rapid and reliable delivery.

• 10+ years of professional C++ development experience, including systems programming and performance optimization.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

• Experience in software engineering management or technical leadership roles.

• Certified SCRUM Master or strong understanding of the SCRUM process.

• Experience with Unreal Engine or similar high-performance game engines.

• Strong Linux development experience.

• Expertise in multithreaded programming, memory management, and system-level performance tuning.

• Qualified candidate must have the ability to obtain a security clearance. This requires U.S. Citizenship

• Familiarity with build processes, compiler toolchains, and content pipelines.

• Strong 3D math, numerical computing, modeling, and simulation experience.

• Background in real-time interactive applications such as multiplayer games, live simulation systems, or AR/VR platforms.

• Experience with sensors (camera, time-of-flight) or image processing.

• Familiarity with Jira, Perforce, Confluence, or similar tools.

• Military, defense, or law enforcement background or experience with mission-critical customer use cases.

• Experience shipping user-facing features in games or 3D interactive products, preferably in Unreal Engine.

• Ability to integrate data-driven visuals and control in-game objects with external data.

• Knowledge of low-level systems such as memory allocators, file systems, input systems, and graphics APIs.

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.

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Compensation Range: $170K - $200K