C++ Software Engineer

Job Title: C++ Software Engineer Job Description
This role supports a mission-critical submarine acoustic system by focusing on software build, integration, and dependency management across a large-scale C/C++ engineering environment. You will work primarily in Linux, solving complex technical problems related to builds and integration rather than traditional feature development. This position offers broad exposure to enterprise-scale software engineering challenges and can open doors to future opportunities across multiple high-impact programs.
Responsibilities
- Analyze and troubleshoot code dependencies, linking issues, and build behavior across a large C/C++ software environment.
- Debug and resolve complex software defects, build failures, and integration issues in collaboration with other engineers.
- Work within Linux-based development environments to investigate and solve software build and execution problems.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to improve software modularity, dependency management, and build efficiency.
- Evaluate and help shape future software development lifecycle processes related to build automation, dependency management, and pipeline modernization.
- Leverage tools such as Git, Make, and CMake while applying modern software development practices in a collaborative engineering environment.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of CI/CD pipelines and software build workflows, with a focus on reliability and scalability.
Essential Skills
- Strong professional experience with C/C++ software development.
- Solid understanding of C/C++ dependencies, linking, compilation, and build behavior.
- Hands-on experience working in Linux-based development environments.
- Proven ability to debug complex, non-trivial software issues, including build and integration problems.
- Experience using Git in a collaborative software development environment.
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and software build workflows, preferably using GitLab.
- Strong problem-solving ability and capacity to work independently in technically ambiguous environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with Make and/or CMake for build configuration and automation.
- Familiarity with modern C++ standards, ideally C++11 or newer.
- Understanding of key C++ concepts such as smart pointers, vectors versus arrays, heap versus stack allocation, templates, and modern memory management practices.
- Exposure to package and dependency management tools used in large-scale C/C++ environments.
- Experience supporting or participating in migrations to GitLab or similar CI/CD platforms.
- Familiarity with Agile development environments and tools such as Jira and Confluence.
- Active Secret clearance is preferred.
Work Environment
You will work in a Linux-focused development environment supporting a large, complex C/C++ codebase for a mission-critical submarine acoustic system. The role emphasizes build systems, integration, and dependency management rather than user-facing feature development, giving you exposure to enterprise-scale software engineering practices. You will use tools such as Git, Make, CMake, and GitLab, and collaborate closely with other engineers in an Agile-inspired setting that may leverage tools like Jira and Confluence. The environment encourages modern software development practices, continuous integration and delivery, and ongoing improvement of build and deployment pipelines.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Manassas, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $90.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Manassas, VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Manassas,VA. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
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