Software Engineer (Java) with Security Clearance

Company: SAIC Supporting DRRS Duration 6 month contract to hire, you will convert perm after 6 months
Conversion salary range: 170-185k
Position: Full Stack Java LCAT – Secret or TS, Bachelors + 8 YOE (verifiable) Location: 25% onsite max at Mark Center / Pentagon (Alexandira / Arlington) Notes: React – needs to have some – doesn’t need to be expert but needs to have some Program Overview
The Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS) is the U.S.

Department of Defense’s standardized system for assessing and reporting the readiness of military forces, helping commanders and senior leaders answer the question “ready for what?” by providing comprehensive, near-real-time capability and resource data. Overview The DRRS was established to provide a comprehensive, mission-focused readiness reporting system that goes beyond traditional unit-level resource tracking to assess the actual capabilities of military units and joint forces to execute assigned missions .

It was created in response to a 1999 Congressional directive (National Defense Authorization Act, Section 117, Title 10, U.S.C.) to improve upon the older Status of Resources and Training System (SORTS) and to offer more accurate assessments of U.S. military readiness . DRRS integrates assessments of personnel, equipment, training, and other mission-essential factors to provide a holistic view of readiness at multiple operational levels, from individual units to joint forces and combatant commands .

It allows commanders to make informed decisions about global force management, deployment, and contingency planning, while also monitoring risks, deficiencies, and capabilities within units .

Key Features • Mission Focus: DRRS evaluates readiness against specific Mission Essential Tasks (METs), enabling units to report the ability to perform particular missions under prescribed conditions . • Capability and Resource Integration: Combines traditional resource data (personnel, supply, equipment, and training) with assessments of what forces and individuals can actually do, creating a more meaningful measure of operational readiness . • Strategic and Operational Assessments: DRRS supports both strategic-level monitoring across all services and operational-level details, helping to align field-level readiness with national defense objectives . • Technology and Standardization: DRRS uses modern IT platforms (such as DRRS-S for strategic reporting) to automate, standardize, and expedite readiness reporting while integrating data from other systems like SORTS and ESORTS . • Rapid and Flexible Reporting: The system allows units to update readiness within 24 hours of significant events, including changes in personnel, equipment, or mission assignments, ensuring near-real-time visibility . • Global Force Management: Assists in identifying force elements with required capabilities both within and across services and among allied and partner forces, enhancing planning and deployment flexibility .

DRRS Structure and Governance DRRS is governed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)), with operational oversight provided through groups like the Executive Readiness Management Group (ERMG) and various DoD components, agencies, and military departments . It requires standardized procedures for unit registration, mission registration, capability assessments, and reporting metrics to ensure consistency across the DoD, including medical and pre-positioned war reserve materiel readiness .

Significance By focusing on missions rather than just resources, DRRS provides a more accurate and actionable assessment of military capability, facilitating better strategic planning, risk management, and congressional reporting. It represents a major shift from measuring inputs (like personnel or equipment) to evaluating outputs—what units can actually accomplish in operational scenarios .

In essence, DRRS is a comprehensive, cross-service readiness monitoring and decision-support system designed to improve the ability of the U.S. military to respond to current and future operational demands while supporting strategic defense objectives.

Required Skills & Experience • Active Secret or Top Secret clearance

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Software, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical) or a related technical field
• Strong hands on experience developing Java applications in enterprise or mission systems
• Practical experience with: o Legacy Java and JSP o Native JavaScript, HTML, CSS o MSSQL databases o Client side libraries such as jQuery, AngularJS, and Bootstrap
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies
• Demonstrated experience with secure coding practices and building, testing, and deploying applications
• Experience writing automation scripts (e.g., Bash, PowerShell)
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) concepts and tools (e.g., Terraform) Nice to Have Skills & Experience • Experience with Infrastructure as Code tools such as Terraform or Bicep
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab, Azure DevOps)
• Experience with configuration management and version control using Git
• Exposure to system modernization efforts within legacy enterprise environments Job Description We are seeking a hands-on Technical Development Engineer to design, develop, enhance, and maintain Java based applications and systems supporting mission critical programs. The ideal candidate is a strong individual contributor with deep Java expertise, experience working in complex legacy environments, and the ability to support technology modernization and integration efforts while aligning with program and customer requirements.

This role focuses on software engineering, system enhancement, and technical problem solving, working closely with program teams, architects, and stakeholders to deliver reliable, secure, and scalable solutions. Primary Responsibilities Java Application Development

• Design, develop, and maintain Java based applications, services, and frameworks in support of enterprise and mission systems.
• Work extensively with legacy Java, JSP, and server-side Java technologies, modernizing components where appropriate.
• Implement object-oriented design principles, design patterns, and modular architectures to support maintainability and scalability.
• Develop and maintain reusable Java libraries and shared components.

Code Quality, Debugging & Maintenance

• Perform code reviews to ensure adherence to Java best practices, secure coding standards, and performance expectations.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve defects, performance issues, and technical debt across existing Java codebases.
• Support refactoring efforts to improve code quality, stability, and long-term maintainability.
• Write unit and integration tests to validate functionality and support regression testing.

Technical Proofs of Concept & Modernization

• Develop technical proofs of concept (POCs) to evaluate new Java frameworks, architectures, or approaches.
• Support technology insertion and refresh efforts, integrating new tools and capabilities into existing systems.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and assess their applicability to program requirements.
• Assist with incremental modernization while maintaining operational continuity. System Integration & Lifecycle Support
• Collaborate with program management, system architects, and technical stakeholders to ensure solutions meet functional and non functional requirements.
• Support the full software development lifecycle, including design, implementation, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Work within secure and compliance driven environments, ensuring solutions meet mission and security requirements.