Software Development Engineer Architect

As a Software Development Engineer Architect you will be responsible for defining software architecture, guiding development strategy, and ensuring the delivery of scalable, secure, and high-quality software across major programs. This role drives enterprise engineering standards, resolves complex cross-functional technical challenges, mentors senior engineers, and aligns long-term software direction with business, product, and platform objectives.

Location: Gastonia, NC

Salary: $130,100 to $150,000

Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only, reflecting a position based in NC. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.

We Take Care of Our People

Paid Time Off I 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing I Health and Wellness Benefits I Learning and Development Opportunities I Referral Program I Competitive Pay I Recognition I Employee Stock Purchase Plan I Inclusive & Supportive Culture *

Your Challenge

• Lead enterprise-level software architecture, design strategy, and long-term platform planning to support complex product and system initiatives (25%).
• Direct development, integration, testing, and optimization of advanced software solutions while ensuring alignment with functional, performance, security, and reliability requirements (20%).
• Identify and resolve system-wide software risks, drive modernization, automation, and tooling improvements, and guide adoption of new technologies and engineering frameworks (20%).
• Oversee cross-functional collaboration with hardware, systems, and product teams to translate program objectives into technical roadmaps and cohesive implementation plans (20%).
• Mentor senior technical staff, support customer and regulatory engagements, and inform organizational strategy with forward-looking software engineering insight (15%).

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 12–15+ years of software engineering experience with leadership responsibility across large programs or enterprise platforms.
• Recognized subject matter expert in software architecture, systems integration, design patterns, and large-scale application development.
• Demonstrated success resolving complex technical challenges across distributed systems, embedded platforms, or multi-layered software environments.
• Strong fluency in modern programming languages, software development methodologies, and lifecycle management practices.
• Experience defining software engineering strategy, technical standards, roadmaps, and organizational improvements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including executive-level and customer-facing interactions.
• Knowledge of regulatory, cybersecurity, safety, or compliance standards relevant to software-intensive systems.
• Proven mentor and coach to senior and lead-level software engineers.
• High degree of professional maturity, accountability, and business acumen.

Who We Are

Our Values

Environmental, Social and Governance

Curtiss-Wright Actuation Division designs, manufactures, and supports electro-mechanical actuation products and systems for use in demanding applications in Aerospace, Defense and Industrial Automation markets. Our market leading solutions help improve the reliability, efficiency and performance of our customers' operations and platforms, as well as reducing their environmental impact with energy efficient electro-mechanical designs and technology. For the Aerospace market, we supply actuation systems for flight control, landing gear, utility and other applications on both commercial and military aircraft. In Ground & Naval Defense markets, we support a wide array of applications ranging from door assist, ramp and hatch actuation, weapons handling systems, radar and launch platform actuation, and robotic (AUV/ROV) actuation.

To learn more, please visit us at About | Actuation Division | Curtiss-Wright (cw-actuation.com)

*Please note, benefits are country specific and may vary from location to location.

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No unsolicited agency submittals please.  Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal.  Resumes submitted directly to any Curtiss-Wright employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Curtiss-Wright.  

Compliance Statement

This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening.  In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn. 

Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.

For US Applicants: EEO is The Law – click here for more information.

If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.