About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, IT.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Role Overview

Confidential Client (via Careertakes) is seeking an entry-level Associate Software Engineer to join a Space & Advanced Missions team in Azusa, CA. This role supports development of mission-critical software (emphasis on C++/OO) for defense and space applications. Relocation assistance may be available. Clearance required for start: Secret. Travel: up to 10%.

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What You’ll Do

You will contribute to the full software lifecycle — design, implementation, testing, documentation, integration, and debugging — with an emphasis on high-quality C++ object-oriented code. You will work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver reliable, secure systems for space and defense use cases.

• Support design and development of C++/OO software and other languages as needed (Java, Python, C#)
• Implement unit tests, participate in code reviews, and follow version-control best practices
• Integrate and test software components in lab and integrated-system environments
• Debug and troubleshoot issues across software and interacting subsystems
• Follow software engineering standards and contribute to design documentation
• Collaborate across disciplines (systems engineering, test, security, data/AI teams)
• Support automation, CI/CD, and DevSecOps practices where applicable

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Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree completed or in final term in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related STEM field
• U.S. citizenship required and ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (Secret) — Special Access Program eligibility may be required
• Practical knowledge of one or more programming languages such as C++, Java, Python, or C#
• Familiarity with software development lifecycle, debugging, testing, and version control systems (Git or equivalent)
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under general direction while refining task details independently

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Preferred Qualifications

• C++ object-oriented design experience or coursework/projects demonstrating solid OO design and data structures
• Overall GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher (preferred for campus hires)
• Exposure to Agile/Scrum development practices
• Experience with unit testing, code reviews, and debugging tools
• Knowledge of operating systems, networking fundamentals, databases, or cloud platforms
• Familiarity with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and automation tools
• Coursework or project experience in AI/ML, embedded systems, cybersecurity, or distributed systems
• Strong communication, collaboration, and technical documentation skills

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Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range (posted): $76,200 to $114,400 per year — pay transparency provided for California
• Benefits may include healthcare, retirement/401(k) match, learning & development resources, and flexible schedules (e.g., 9/80 where available)
• Relocation assistance may be available depending on business needs

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Location & Other Requirements

• Job location: Azusa, CA
• Clearance: Secret required for start; U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite
• Travel: Approximately 10% (may vary by program)
• Industry: IT (space/defense software and systems)

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Why Apply via Careertakes

Careertakes is acting as the third-party recruiting platform for Confidential Client. Candidates applying through Careertakes may be matched to additional roles on the platform. Careertakes follows best practices from third-party recruiting to provide transparent job details and protect applicant data.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.