The Requirements

If you know networking (wired / wireless / cellular / satellite), communications protocols, parallel processing, UI design, visualization, simulation or emulation -- either the technologies, the markets or the customer applications – you could be a good fit for this opportunity.

Specifically, you will need:

• A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering; a master’s or PhD is a plus.
• Experience with C/C++ and/or other object oriented programming languages.  Quick question for you - click here
• Basic knowledge/awareness of TCP/IP protocol stack and OSI network model. 
• Familiarity with software engineering processes/methodologies.
• Enterprise application building experience.
• Experience with discrete event simulation tools or similar is a plus.

To apply for the entry level role you must have a bachelor's degree.  Proven hands-on experience outside of the academic environment, for example some on-the-job experience, an internship, hobby, or project that directly relates to the work you’d do at SCALABLE Network Technologies, would be a strong advantage, but is not a requirement.

To qualify for the more senior role, you should have substantial experience, preferably varied, and a history of success in networking and parallel processing.  Strong C or C++ experience is essential.

For both levels you should be a skilled programmer and/or have strong networking skills.  If you love to write code, we want to hear from you.

Pictured: Network integration.  SCALABLE software products enable clients to create highly realistic models of both the existing communications network and the new technology, enabling technicians and operations personnel to gain hands-on experience.

The Role

As a Software Engineer at SCALABLE, you will be involved in developing network scenarios, programming networking protocols and running large-scale simulations.  Depending upon the project you will work on enhancements or new development, doing anything from midyear updates to developing a new product.  While you’re getting acclimated to the company and environment, you’ll primarily work on upgrades and enhancements, but as your experience increases, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to do new development work as well.

Specifically, you will:

• Develop and execute real-time network simulation and emulation products. Quick question for you - click here
• Design network scenarios to analyze the best case and worst case performance of wired and wireless networks using high-performance multi-core and cluster computers.
• Design and develop simulation models for networking protocols based on standards.
• Create new tools and technologies to improve the design, analysis and deployment of wireless networks.
• Develop, test and evaluate network scenarios that integrate and interoperate EXata-based software virtual networks (SVN) with real hardware (VoIP phones, routers and other customer equipment).
• Document and communicate issues, risks and concerns to stakeholders, developers, and sponsors.
• Work closely with cross functional teams to identify and resolve technical, business, and process related issues.
• And more.

A sampling of current products on which you may be working includes:

• QualNet software -- QualNet can explore and analyze early-stage device designs and application code in closed, synthetic networks at real time speed or faster. Designed to take full advantage of the multi-threading capabilities of multi-core, multi-processor, cloud computing, cluster and 64-bit processor systems, QualNet supports over thousands of network nodes.
• EXata -- EXata addresses network challenges such as bandwidth limitations, bottlenecks, security attacks, session management, scalability, traffic congestion, and quality of service trade-offs, by running live applications under mission conditions.
• EXata/Cyber -- EXata/Cyber is a cyber simulation platform which accurately emulates highly realistic representations of how complex communications will behave under battlefield conditions. It can be tightly integrated with physical hardware, live applications and other simulation and visualization systems to deliver a complete Virtual Cyber Range, enabling network managers and mission planners to develop, analyze and prepare for many different operational scenarios in a portable cost-effective manner.  In cyber warfare, the network is the new battlefield.

Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Why SCALABLE

Top-notch talent and products:  Our software is complex and innovative, which attracts the top minds in our industry. Many of our developers have advanced degrees in Computer Science or a related field. Likewise, many of our customers use SCALABLE products in support of truly life-or-death missions, so our field services personnel are equally effective and committed.  This is a prime platform to learn and see top-talent at work.

Interesting projects:  We have many interesting projects underway.  For example, US STRATCOM Cyber -- One of the components of STRATCOM (US Strategic Command) is the US Cyber Command, which is responsible for planning, coordinating, integrating, synchronizing, and directing activities to operate and defend the Department of Defense information networks, and, when directed, conducts full-spectrum military cyberspace operations in order to ensure U.S. and allied freedom of action in cyberspace, while denying the same to our adversaries. SCALABLE is under contract with STRATCOM to adapt the EXata/Cyber simulation platform to meet some very specific training needs.

Work / life balance:  We know the congestive state of the Los Angeles freeways, and understand that sometimes you’ll have appointments or activities that only happen during the day.  That’s why we have flexible hours.  Everyone is required to be here during our core development hours, 11 to 4, but the rest of your schedule is up to you.  We also, on the whole, maintain a 40 hour work week. 

Growth and product diversity:  SCALABLE is in a growth mode and there’s no sign of it slowing.  Contracts are continuing to expand; we’re adding new contracts and are beginning to diversify into the commercial space.  While the lion’s share of our work is contract driven government work, we are moving toward market driven products, meaning our range of innovation and profitability will be even greater.

Laid back, collegial, collaborative environment:  If you’re most comfortable in a highly structured environment where you will follow a list of procedures, this role will not be a good fit.  Ours is a knowledge / idea driven environment that is informal in terms of development methodology.  The Engineers (currently 35) that work here like it and do it because the work is interesting, highly challenging and on the cutting-edge.  We’re interested in innovation, cool technology and what could be done, not necessarily what has been done.  We split by project teams, have a lot of independence and little daily supervision.  If you don’t come in with enthusiasm, strong tech interest, and an entrepreneurial slant, success will be difficult.

Match your interests:  While we can’t promise you’ll always be on the project of your choice, we do our best to align team members with their interests and talents and have high success.  For example, our JNE team does a tremendous amount of modeling; we have a core technologies team; smaller teams working on diagnosing and fixing bugs, and more.  Our largest team, servicing a large Armed Forces contract, has between 8 and 10 engineers, while for some projects there might be a only one person assigned. 

Excellent compensation: In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes all you would expect plus some pleasant surprises, such as a performance based bonus and stock options.

Keys to Success

We’ve already said it, but it bears repeating -- to be successful in this role, you must be enthusiastic and interested in the technology.  If you don’t like to code, you’ll have trouble.  What we do is highly sophisticated and wrought with challenges, and your initial challenge of learning how the products work, from an engineering standpoint, could be difficult.  We don’t do a lot of training but expect that you’ll hit the ground running and find your way through hands-on work.  You’ll have a lot of resources, but the work is complex.  The challenges will be many and the first you might feel unsure.  By three months, however, it will begin to make sense and by the six month mark, you will be able to make a significant impact on your team and product.  If this sounds more exciting than daunting, you'll do well. 

As with almost all software engineering roles, yours will be deadline driven.  We are realistic though, so you will be tasked with appropriately figuring out how long you think your piece will take, then working toward the accepted deadline.   

About SCALABLE

SCALABLE was founded in 1999 by Dr. Rajive Bagrodia, Professor of Computer Science at UCLA.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with multiple engineering facilities around the world, SCALABLE software increases communications readiness in battlefield operations, network integration and cyber warfare. SCALABLE solutions integrate software virtual networks with physical hardware and applications, allowing users to rapidly test a wide range of highly realistic "what if" scenarios for better operational planning, more effective training and enhanced communications effectiveness.

SCALABLE also provides custom solutions and engineering support services for specific requirements to major aerospace and defense contractors, the US Department of Defense, mobile network operators, research agencies and universities.

SIMULATION ARCHITECTURE

SCALABLE solutions start with the core simulation engine, running on everything from standard desktop PCs up to very large virtualized parallel computing environments.

Model Libraries contain technically exact definitions of the protocols and waveforms used in communications equipment. SCALABLE offers a wide range of libraries (which can be combined with custom libraries as necessary) to represent every element in a communications network. Elements combine into "software virtual network" models.

Actual physical elements (live hardware and software, whole networks, etc.) can be integrated with software virtual networks in highly realistic mixed mode environments. Run live software on virtual hardware. Test how gear (that you don't yet have) will work with the current infrastructure. Make a handful of new units feel like thousands.

Integrate SCALABLE simulations with third-party visualization and wargaming applications to create complete battlefield environments.

Pictured:  SCALABLE is located on the top floor of the Pepperdine University building, across the street from the Hughes Promenade in West Los Angeles, just north of LAX near Marina Del Rey.