Behavioral Integration & Program Fit

Because Long Wave operates in highly collaborative, program-managed environments, your ability to work with others is heavily scrutinized. You will meet with program directors and managers who will assess your communication style, your adaptability, and your interest in their projects.

Be ready to go over:

• Stakeholder communication – Explaining technical solutions to non-technical team members.
• Conflict resolution – Navigating disagreements on technical implementations constructively.
• Project adaptability – Handling changes in program requirements or timelines.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you had to deliver a project under a tight deadline with incomplete specifications."
• "How do you ensure your code is well-documented and maintainable for future engineers?"

As a Software Engineer at Long Wave, your day-to-day responsibilities will vary depending on the specific program or team you join, but they generally center around robust software delivery and systems integration.

You will be responsible for writing clean, maintainable code that integrates with hardware systems, communications networks, or simulation environments. This requires a strong understanding of systems engineering principles, as your software must often interface with complex physical architectures.

Collaboration is a constant theme in this role. You will work closely with Systems Engineers to translate high-level system requirements into software specifications. You will also coordinate with training developers and program managers to ensure that software deliverables meet strict government or client standards, participating in regular code reviews and system integration testing.

Additionally, senior engineers are expected to contribute to proposal engineering efforts, helping to architect technical solutions for future programs and estimating the development effort required for new contract opportunities.

To be competitive for a Software Engineer position at Long Wave, you must possess a solid foundation in software engineering alongside strong professional soft skills.

• Must-have skills – Strong proficiency in at least one major programming language (such as C++, C#, Java, or Python), solid understanding of software development lifecycles (SDLC), and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Nice-to-have skills – Experience working on DoD or federal government contracts, familiarity with systems engineering frameworks, and experience with training simulation software or real-time communications protocols.

Your experience level will determine your placement within their engineering structure, which ranges from mid-level roles up to Chief Engineer positions. Regardless of level, a demonstrated ability to work in structured, process-oriented environments is highly valued.

Q: What is the typical interview difficulty at Long Wave? A: Candidates generally report the interview difficulty as average. While there are technical evaluations, the process is conversational and focuses heavily on practical problem-solving rather than trick algorithmic puzzles.

Q: How long does the hiring process usually take? A: The process typically moves efficiently, often concluding within two to four weeks from the initial HR screen to a final decision, depending on scheduling availability for the in-person loop.

Q: Is there a coding test during the interview? A: Yes, you can expect a basic coding trivia quiz or simple programming questions early in the process to verify your core development skills, followed by abstract problem-solving discussions in later stages.

Q: Where are these roles located? A: The majority of these engineering positions are located at Long Wave offices in Oklahoma City, OK, with some roles requiring on-site collaboration due to the secure nature of the programs.

To maximize your chances of success during the Long Wave interview process, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Focus on the fundamentals: Do not overcomplicate your technical answers. Ensure you can explain basic data structures, object-oriented principles, and clean code practices flawlessly.
• Think out loud: During abstract problem-solving stages, your interviewer is more interested in how you think than in you getting the perfect answer immediately. Verbalize your assumptions, constraints, and trade-offs.
• Highlight your adaptability: Be ready to share examples of how you have successfully navigated changing project requirements, as defense and program-driven environments require high flexibility.
• Show interest in the domain: Research Long Wave's focus areas, particularly their work in communications, defense systems, and engineering services. Showing enthusiasm for this specialized field will set you apart.

A Software Engineer role at Long Wave offers an exceptional opportunity to work on impactful, mission-critical programs that safeguard national infrastructure and support vital defense systems. The work is technically diverse, highly collaborative, and deeply rewarding for engineers who enjoy solving complex, real-world problems.

To prepare effectively, focus your efforts on solidifying your computer science fundamentals, practicing abstract system-level problem-solving, and preparing behavioral stories that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Taking a structured approach to your preparation will give you the confidence to excel in every stage of the interview process.

For more detailed interview insights, real candidate reviews, and additional preparation resources, be sure to explore the comprehensive tools available on Dataford to help you land your next engineering role.

The salary data above outlines the compensation ranges for various engineering levels at Long Wave in Oklahoma City, OK. When preparing your salary expectations, consider how your experience aligns with these bands, keeping in mind that specialized skills in systems engineering or defense program experience can position you toward the higher end of these ranges.