Embedded Software Engineer

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on developing, configuring, and integrating embedded software solutions across complex systems and networks. The Embedded Software Engineer works extensively with Board Support Packages, RTOS environments, hypervisors, middleware, microservices, and software interfaces while supporting modern modular software architecture principles. The position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to advanced embedded software and systems integration in a defense-focused engineering environment and to collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement microservices that align with modern modular architecture principles.
• Architect and document microservice interfaces and data flows based on platform-specific reference architectures.
• Derive software requirements and develop use cases and user stories that guide implementation.
• Create software design artifacts and develop, document, and maintain production-quality embedded code.
• Develop and execute software unit tests and system tests to verify functionality and performance.
• Develop software interfaces and apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and functional analysis processes to create interface control documentation.
• Collaborate across development, systems integration, testing, and requirements teams to ensure cohesive solutions.
• Incorporate feedback from cross-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) into software products and designs.
• Produce software lifecycle artifacts, including Software Development Plans, Software Design Documents, Software Version Descriptions, Interface Control Documents, and Configuration Management Plans.
• Support development of Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates for software components used in proposals.
• Help educate customers and internal engineering teams on consistent, secure, and modern software engineering practices.
• Work with networking and interface components, including client-server architectures and messaging patterns, and debug TCP/UDP interfaces.
• Participate in Agile development processes and continuous integration activities within the engineering environment.

Essential Skills

• Strong embedded software development experience using C and C++ with a solid understanding of object-oriented design and programming in embedded environments.
• 5+ years of software engineering or software development experience.
• Experience developing and integrating software within Linux and Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) environments.
• Experience with client-server architectures, messaging patterns, and debugging TCP/UDP interfaces.
• Demonstrated ability to derive software requirements, create design artifacts, develop and document code, and perform unit and system testing throughout the software engineering lifecycle.
• Experience designing, implementing, and testing software in accordance with DO-178B/C standards.
• Knowledge of embedded software design principles and practices.
• Experience with Agile development processes and continuous integration.
• Ability to collaborate across multiple engineering Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and communicate technical designs through formal documentation.
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related STEM field; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Strong communication skills for working with software developers, systems engineering, integration, and test teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 7+ years of software engineering or software development experience.
• Microservices development experience in embedded or distributed environments.
• Experience working in Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) or similar modular open systems environments.
• Knowledge of modular open systems architectures and modern modular software architecture principles.
• Middleware experience with technologies such as Data Distribution Service (DDS), Java Message Service (JMS), ZeroMQ, and/or Kafka.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and creating interface control documentation.
• Experience with Board Support Packages (BSPs), hypervisors, container orchestration, and middleware integration.
• Experience with Java and Python development.
• Experience with JIRA or similar issue and project tracking tools.
• Additional experience with Agile methodologies and continuous integration beyond the core requirements.
• Interest in educating and mentoring others on secure, modern software engineering practices.
• Willingness to relocate with support, with a commitment to a multi-year engagement.

Work Environment

This position is 100% on-site at a customer engineering facility in Sterling Heights, MI, providing full-time support in a defense-focused environment. The engineer works closely with software developers, systems engineering, integration, test, and requirements teams in a highly collaborative setting. The role involves hands-on work with embedded systems, Linux and RTOS environments, hypervisors, middleware, microservices, MBSE tools, and modular software architectures. The schedule follows a 9/80 work pattern, offering a structured yet flexible workweek. The environment emphasizes secure development practices, cross-functional collaboration, and exposure to both low-level embedded platforms and higher-level distributed software architectures. Relocation assistance is available for candidates willing to make a two-year commitment, and the role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling Heights, MI.

The pay range for this position is $62.50 - $79.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling Heights, MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Sterling Heights,MI.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.