Software Obsolescence Engineer II / Principal Software Obsolesce

Software Obsolescence Engineer II / Principal Software Obsolescence Engineer III

2-5+ Years Experience | Huntsville, AL | Secret Clearance Required

Future-proof mission-critical defense systems by leading the strategy that keeps complex software environments secure, compliant, and operational for the long haul.
A Day in the Life - What you'll do

• Lead software life-cycle management efforts, identifying obsolescence risks and developing mitigation strategies for mission-critical systems
• Analyze vendor product roadmaps and end-of-life notices to assess impact on system compatibility, cybersecurity posture, and sustainment timelines
• Collaborate with software, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and supply chain teams to modernize legacy platforms and integrate updated technologies
• Develop and track detailed obsolescence strategies, resource plans, and transition roadmaps while ensuring compliance with regulatory and security standards

Required Qualifications
Education & Experience

Level II

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering (software focus), or related field
• 2 years of experience in software development, lifecycle management, or obsolescence tracking within a highly regulated industry (Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Healthcare, etc.)

Level III

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering (software focus), or related field
• 5 years of experience in software development, lifecycle management, or obsolescence tracking within a highly regulated industry (Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Healthcare, etc.)

Technical & Functional Requirements

• Familiarity with identifying and managing risks associated with outdated platforms, compilers, and dependent libraries
• Knowledge of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software roadmaps
• Understanding of real-time embedded software systems and/or mission-critical software applications
• Experience with software lifecycle management tools, dependency management analyzers, and obsolescence tracking databases
• Familiarity with vendor roadmaps (Microsoft, Red Hat, Wind River, etc.) and assessing system compatibility impacts
• Experience mitigating software obsolescence risks and ensuring compatibility across system upgrades
• Strong organizational skills to develop and track detailed obsolescence strategies, timelines, and resource requirements
• Competency with software development tools such as Git, JIRA, and Jenkins
• Experience with virtualization tools such as VMware and Docker for legacy software preservation or porting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability to innovate solutions addressing software dependencies, long-term support (LTS) requirements, and sustainability challenges
• U.S. Citizenship required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret or higher-level security clearance

Preferred Qualifications
Advanced Education & Certifications

• Master's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Certifications such as Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP), CSPO (Scrum Product Owner), CompTIA Security+, or equivalent

Advanced Technical Experience

• Experience modernizing or rehosting legacy software frameworks (e.g., porting from outdated platforms to new systems or converting monolithic architectures to microservices)
• Expertise managing obsolete or unsupported software library dependencies, operating systems, or development tools
• Knowledge of Agile and DevSecOps methodologies in development and sustainment projects
• Familiarity with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines in mission-critical environments
• Expertise in software version control, configuration management, and lifecycle processes including retirement, upgrades, and replacements
• Knowledge of RTCA-DO-178C, MIL-STD-498, or similar aerospace/defense software standards
• Experience evaluating licensing models, EOL notices, and rehost/porting efforts for compliance
• Proficiency assessing hardware/software dependencies and preventing cascading obsolescence risks
• Experience conducting cost-benefit analyses for software refreshes, upgrades, or retrofits
• Ability to collaborate with systems engineers on software-hardware integration during upgrades or requalification efforts
• Familiarity with digital twins or simulation environments to evaluate legacy system transitions
• Experience managing vendor relationships, including end-of-support planning and third-party sustainment strategies
• Technical knowledge of vendor-specific solutions such as Wind River VxWorks, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or similar platforms
• Familiarity with NIST 800-53, CMMC, or other cybersecurity frameworks
• Awareness of anti-counterfeit measures and managing risks from unauthorized or unsupported software sources
• Active DoD Secret or Top-Secret clearance preferred
  
  Who is Caribou Thunder?
  
  Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of Defense and its mission partners.
  
  Operating across 35+ states and 20+ countries, we have delivered trusted solutions for over two decades - strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.
  
  Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier - delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.
  
  We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence - disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions.
  Why Caribou Thunder?
  
  TEAM THUNDER - Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.
• Employee Advocacy
• Mission Proven
• Global Reach
• Skilled Teams
• Modern Tools
• Empowering Culture
• Employee Advocacy + Benefits
  
  Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being - knowing their success drives ours.
  
  Benefits include:
• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with 6% Company Match
• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule
• Education & Certification Reimbursement
• Support for Military Leave
• Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values
• Your future, your flexibility, your well-being - we invest in you. Apply and let's connect.