AFRA #139 Software Developer (m/f/d) in ATS Environment (Real-time & Safety-Critical)

Project overview

Software Developer (m/f/d) in ATS Environment (Real-time & Safety-Critical)

Contract Type: Partner preferred or Freelance / Project Contract

We are looking for a competent partner with whom we can jointly create an offer for comprehensive team staffing.

As a certified Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) and Design and Production Organisation (DPO), DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH controls air traffic in German airspace. As part of a long-term framework agreement starting in 2027, mission- and safety-critical Air Traffic Services (ATS) systems will be modernized and further developed.

The scope of work includes the design, implementation, system integration, and verification of heterogeneous real-time systems – including radar data and flight plan data processing, collision warning systems, electronic flight strips, and controller and tower information systems at the 16 German tower locations.

Your Responsibilities

• Core Development: Design, implementation, securing, and refactoring of core modules for surveillance and flight plan data processing systems.
• Real-time & High Availability: Development and optimization of highly available real-time systems with minimal latency and maximum fault tolerance.
• HMI Development: Conception and development of user-friendly interfaces for controller and tower workstation systems (HMI).
• System Integration & Monitoring: Integration into heterogeneous IT application structures, system and protocol monitoring via SNMP, and connection to web servers (Apache HTTP Server) and relational databases.
• Safety & Quality Assurance: Consistent adherence to safety specifications, support in hazard analyses and safety cases, and ensuring complete traceability in requirements management.

Requirements

Technical Requirements & Qualifications

Regulations, Safety Standards & Tools

Mandatory Requirements (Deal Breakers)

Contact & Application Deadlines

I look forward to your feedback.

• Professional Experience: At least 5 years of experience in software development for safety-critical backend and real-time systems.
• Programming Languages: Profound, demonstrable development experience in at least one or more of the following languages:
• Core Focus: Ada, C/C++
• Alternative / Complementary: Java, Go, Python
• Operating Systems: Practical experience with Linux real-time environments (RTOS / Real-Time Linux).
• HMI / Frontend: Experience in creating user interfaces with the Qt class library or modern web technologies (Vue.js).
• Databases & Servers: Knowledge of connecting relational databases (SQLite, MySQL, MariaDB) and Apache HTTP Server.
• Development Processes: Profound practice in V-Model development (DIN EN ISO 9001) and compliance with ANS Software Life Cycle according to ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207.
• Safety Standards: Familiarity with safety specifications in the air traffic safety environment according to ED-153 (Software Safety Assurance) or comparable standards (e.g., DO-178 / DO-278).
• IT Security: Consideration of security requirements according to BSI-Grundschutz and OWASP-ASVS.
• Toolchain: Confident use of GitLab, OpenText Dimensions RM (or IBM DOORS), Jira, Confluence, Vault, and Nexus.
• Reliability Check: Valid ZÜP according to § 7 LuftSiG (or demonstrable prerequisites for immediate issuance). To be done upon acceptance.
• Language Skills: Business fluent German and English, both written and spoken (C1 level).
• Profile submission for pre-selection: by November 13, 2026, 10:00 AM at the latest

Project details

from mid-2027 onwards (multi-year contract)

Germany (Tower locations / Remote by arrangement)

• Start: 2027-06
• Duration: 36 Monate
• Remote: hybrid
• Location: Langen, Deutschland, DE
• Languages: German, English