Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Ohio
Software Systems Engineer jobs in Ohio are consistently active, with demand concentrated in aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, financial technology, and government contracting sectors at levels from entry-level through principal and staff engineer. Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton lead the state in openings, anchored by major employers like Northrop Grumman, Battelle Memorial Institute, and JPMorgan Chase. The most sought-after specialties in Ohio listings include embedded systems, real-time software, systems integration, and model-based design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Software Systems Engineer jobs
Position summary
Key responsibilities
- Act as the lead technical voice in customer, contractor, and program meetings; guide decisions and explain how systems interact.
- Brief leadership and non-technical stakeholders through weekly activity reports, staff meetings, and program reviews.
- Identify technical challenges early, propose solutions, and own the execution path.
- Lead, coordinate, and mentor a team of engineers and analysts.
- Define integration requirements, data transfer architectures, and connectivity paths across programs and partners.
- Plan technical readiness for exercises, integration events, and demonstrations, including JADC2-related environments.
- Map technical objectives to the personnel and skill sets needed to deliver them.
- Review proposed software solutions against requirements and schedule; participate in technical and program reviews.
- Develop and update program documentation, studies, and analysis reports.
- Support software assurance, including program protection, cybersecurity, and airworthiness certification.
- Recommend approaches for transition to post-modernization sustainment.
- Trace technical risks to Key Performance Parameters and maintain them in the program risk tool.
- Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers to keep risk and status data current.
- Lead production of technical demos, storyboards, and briefings for the client.
Required qualifications
- U.S. citizen with an active Secret clearance (or higher); able to pass a background check.
- 10+ years of software engineering experience related to fifth-generation fighter aircraft or an aircraft system in modernization or sustainment.
- 6+ years of professional software development, including 3+ years in C/C++ and 1+ year in Python or Java.
- Proven experience leading systems integration across software, hardware, and data on DoD programs.
- Working knowledge of Agile/iterative development and DoD acquisition and life-cycle processes.
- Experience with weapon systems security engineering and cryptographic systems.
- Experience with industry DevOps, source control and CI/CD tools (e.g. Git, GitLab, Bitbucket, Jenkins, Confluence, Jira, Azure DevOps).
- Knowledge of classification handling and marking protocols.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including briefing senior leaders and non-technical audiences.
Education: Bachelor's + 10 years, Master's + 7 years, or PhD + 5 years in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related field. 15+ years of relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
Preferred qualifications
- Advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, or physics.
- Experience with JADC2 concepts, data transfer architectures, or multi-domain integration events.
- Modeling and simulation experience with AFSIM, NGTS, TMAP, ITASE, or MATLAB/Simulink.
- Modern C++ (C++11 or later), object-oriented design, and Linux development.
- Familiarity with Docker, WSL2, and IDEs such as Visual Studio, VS Code, or PyCharm.
- Experience with program risk management tools and KPP traceability.
- Comfortable with remote collaboration tools (Teams, WebEx, Zoom) and Confluence.
Why TECHFORGE
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Company-paid disability and life insurance
- 401(k) with guaranteed company contribution
- Paid time off, floating holidays, and community service time
- Tuition reimbursement and discounted tuition programs
- Hybrid work with a mix of remote and in-person collaboration
Equal opportunity
Position summary
Key responsibilities
- Act as the lead technical voice in customer, contractor, and program meetings; guide decisions and explain how systems interact.
- Brief leadership and non-technical stakeholders through weekly activity reports, staff meetings, and program reviews.
- Identify technical challenges early, propose solutions, and own the execution path.
- Lead, coordinate, and mentor a team of engineers and analysts.
- Define integration requirements, data transfer architectures, and connectivity paths across programs and partners.
- Plan technical readiness for exercises, integration events, and demonstrations, including JADC2-related environments.
- Map technical objectives to the personnel and skill sets needed to deliver them.
- Review proposed software solutions against requirements and schedule; participate in technical and program reviews.
- Develop and update program documentation, studies, and analysis reports.
- Support software assurance, including program protection, cybersecurity, and airworthiness certification.
- Recommend approaches for transition to post-modernization sustainment.
- Trace technical risks to Key Performance Parameters and maintain them in the program risk tool.
- Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers to keep risk and status data current.
- Lead production of technical demos, storyboards, and briefings for the client.
Required qualifications
- U.S. citizen with an active Secret clearance (or higher); able to pass a background check.
- 10+ years of software engineering experience related to fifth-generation fighter aircraft or an aircraft system in modernization or sustainment.
- 6+ years of professional software development, including 3+ years in C/C++ and 1+ year in Python or Java.
- Proven experience leading systems integration across software, hardware, and data on DoD programs.
- Working knowledge of Agile/iterative development and DoD acquisition and life-cycle processes.
- Experience with weapon systems security engineering and cryptographic systems.
- Experience with industry DevOps, source control and CI/CD tools (e.g. Git, GitLab, Bitbucket, Jenkins, Confluence, Jira, Azure DevOps).
- Knowledge of classification handling and marking protocols.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including briefing senior leaders and non-technical audiences.
Education: Bachelor's + 10 years, Master's + 7 years, or PhD + 5 years in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related field. 15+ years of relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
Preferred qualifications
- Advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, or physics.
- Experience with JADC2 concepts, data transfer architectures, or multi-domain integration events.
- Modeling and simulation experience with AFSIM, NGTS, TMAP, ITASE, or MATLAB/Simulink.
- Modern C++ (C++11 or later), object-oriented design, and Linux development.
- Familiarity with Docker, WSL2, and IDEs such as Visual Studio, VS Code, or PyCharm.
- Experience with program risk management tools and KPP traceability.
- Comfortable with remote collaboration tools (Teams, WebEx, Zoom) and Confluence.
Why TECHFORGE
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Company-paid disability and life insurance
- 401(k) with guaranteed company contribution
- Paid time off, floating holidays, and community service time
- Tuition reimbursement and discounted tuition programs
- Hybrid work with a mix of remote and in-person collaboration
Equal opportunity
See All 12 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSoftware Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Ohio
Where Ohio roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Systems Engineer Job Market in Ohio
A snapshot from current Ohio openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Ohio Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software systems engineer jobs across Ohio.
- Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering
- Proficiency in systems engineering tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or IBM DOORS
- Experience with embedded or real-time software development in C, C++, or Ada
- Familiarity with systems integration, verification, and validation processes
- Active or eligible DoD security clearance for defense and government contractor roles
- Knowledge of model-based systems engineering and requirements management practices
Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software systems engineer in Ohio?
Most Ohio employers require a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field. Software systems engineering is not a state-licensed profession in Ohio, so no Ohio board registration or exam is required. Employers in aerospace, defense, and government contracting strongly prefer candidates with systems engineering methodology training and experience with tools like Simulink or IBM DOORS, with some roles requiring a DoD security clearance.
How much do software systems engineers make in Ohio?
Software systems engineers in Ohio earn a median of about $114,090 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,790 for the lowest 10% to over $168,400 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software systems engineers in Ohio?
Employers hiring software systems engineers in Ohio right now include MTSI, Battelle, and STR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Ohio's deep presence of aerospace primes, federal labs, and financial technology firms makes it one of the more consistent states for sustained software systems engineering demand.
Which Ohio cities have the most software systems engineer jobs?
Wright-Patterson AFB, Columbus, and Beavercreek have the most software systems engineer openings in Ohio. Columbus drives volume through its concentration of financial services firms, tech companies, and government contractors, while Dayton's openings are heavily shaped by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the defense contractors and federal research organizations clustered around it, and Cincinnati benefits from its manufacturing, aerospace, and enterprise technology employer base.
Are there remote software systems engineer jobs in Ohio?
Yes, and more than many engineering fields. About 100% of software systems engineer openings tied to Ohio are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and collaborative nature of much systems work. Roles focused on requirements analysis, architecture documentation, and software integration tend to offer the most flexibility, while positions involving lab hardware, integration testing, or classified government systems are typically on-site.
How can I get hired as a software systems engineer in Ohio with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a new-graduate or associate systems engineer program at one of Ohio's large defense or research employers. Northrop Grumman, Battelle, and Leidos operate structured early-career programs in Ohio that hire candidates with relevant degrees and no direct industry experience. Roles titled junior systems analyst, software test engineer, or systems integration technician also serve as lateral entry points. Building a portfolio that demonstrates requirements traceability, system modeling, or embedded software projects gives candidates a clear edge in Ohio interviews.
Where can I find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Ohio?
You can find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Ohio on Migrate Mate, which lists current Ohio openings across Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, and other hiring markets. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 12 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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