Software Engineer

Software Engineer

Clearance Level: Must be able to obtain an Active Secret Clearance - Must be US Citizen


At Aquila Technology, you will see our team's passion every day, whether we are building a robust, policy-compliant IT system or stress-testing a system to identify gaps and security vulnerabilities. To own the advantage, we ensure our team owns results and gets the work done right the first time by deploying smart, purposeful solutions that work. Aquila is the right people with the right skills driving the right outcomes. We call this the Aquila Advantage.

Aquila Technology is looking for a highly skilled Software Engineer to support one of the nation's leading defense research organizations. The team is seeking a talented embedded DSP Software Engineer to develop, optimize, and maintain signal processing solutions for a tactical communications program within the org. The team leverages technical analysis, modeling, simulation, emulation, prototype development, and flight tests to advance communication systems and evaluate their performance.

This role focuses on developing high-performance DSP algorithms and embedded software for specialized processor architectures. The ideal candidate will have strong fundamentals in digital signal processing, experience with commercial DSP platforms, and the ability to work across hardware-software boundaries to deliver optimized solutions for real-time communications systems.

What You'll Bring:

• Degree Level: Bachelor's Degree
• 1 years - Experience using AI tools (AI Agents etc) to assist with Software Development
• 3 years - Version control systems (Git)
• 3 years - Real-Time Embedded Systems (RTOS, VxWorks, Xenomai, Linux)
• 2 years - Bare-Metal programming experience
• 3 years - Embedded Software
• 3 years - Experience developing code for commercial DSP chips/IP (NXP, TI, CEVA, or similar architectures)
• 2 years - Experience with assembly language programming (NXP-VSPA IS, x86/x64, or ARM)
• 3 years - MATLAB
• 3 years - Programming Languages (e.g., Perl, Python, C/C++)
• 3 years -Signal Processing
• 3 years - Strong DSP experience (i.e. frequency domain vs. time domain analysis, FFT/IFFT implementation, etc)

Nice to Have

• Experience with board bring up and boot process
• Digital and Wireless Radio/Communications Technology
• Experience with Embedded Linux

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize DSP algorithms for tactical communication systems on commercial DSP platforms (NXP, TI, CEVA, or similar)
• Develop software for RTOS environments with focus on task scheduling, inter-task communication, and interrupt handling
• Write and debug low-level assembly code to maximize performance on DSP architectures
• Collaborate with hardware engineers on board bring-up and system integration activities
• Support CI/CD pipelines and maintain version control using Git
• Leverage AI development tools (Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code, etc.) to accelerate development workflows
• Debug complex issues spanning DSP firmware, RTOS, and hardware interfaces
• Document designs, algorithms, and code to support long-term maintainability

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
• 3+ years of experience in embedded software development with focus on DSP applications
• Experience developing code for commercial DSP chips/IP (NXP, TI, CEVA, or similar architectures)
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and MATLAB for signal processing and embedded development
• Understanding/Experience with Bare-Metal programing (i.e. direct register-level programming of peripherals, clock and power domain initialization, cache and MMU setup)
• Experience with RTOS environments(i.e. task/thread scheduling, inter-task communication mechanisms, and interrupt handling)
• Experience with assembly language programming (NXP-VSPA ISA knowledge preferred, but proficiency in x86/x64, ARM, etc. is acceptable)
• Strong DSP fundamentals (i.e. frequency domain vs. time domain analysis, FFT/IFFT implementation, and FIR/IIR filter design)
• Experience with AI-powered development tools and workflows (Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code, etc.)
• Proficiency with Git version control
• High ownership mentality: takes responsibility for outcomes and system reliability
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, loosely defined environments
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Experience with CodeWarrior IDE and NXP development toolchains
• Experience with board bring up and boot process (i.e. First-stage bootloader, U-boot, Device Tree, etc.)
• Knowledge of wireless communication system protocols and standards
• Experience with JTAG debugging and hardware-software integration
• Understanding/Experience in Embedded Linux development (i.e. kernel configuration, patching, building, device tree authoring/debugging, kernel module dev, root file system creation, etc.)
• Previous work on tactical or software-defined radio (SDR) systems

Benefits and Perks:
Aquila team members experience the opportunity to be part of a fast-paced, customer-focused, and technically innovative work environment. Aquila strives to deliver the best of the best in technical services to our customers. Candidates that possess a love for technical challenges, a desire to constantly learn, and the desire to establish themselves as critical players within a team will enjoy calling Aquila Technology home.

Our Perks Include:
PTO - 15 days (vacation/sick) 10 paid holidays - 6 standard (New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) - 4 floating holidays prorated based on your day of hire:

• 1.5 paid days, or 12 hours, for approved volunteer work
• 1 week of paid maternity/paternity LOA after 1 year of Full-time employment

Tuition & Training Reimbursement - 5K annually for pre-approved, Eligible full-time team members who have completed a minimum of six (6) months of employment may apply for tuition reimbursement for approved, job-related courses taken through an accredited college or university. Team members must achieve a grade of "B" or better to qualify for reimbursement.Aquila will reimburse up to $5,000 per fiscal year for tuition expenses only. Expenses related to training programs, certifications, books, materials, meals, transportation, or other non-tuition costs are not eligible under the Tuition Reimbursement Program. All tuition reimbursement requests must be submitted to and approved by the team member's Manager prior to course registration. Reimbursement will be issued upon successful course completion and submission of final grades and proof of payment.

401K with Fidelity - Eligible to participate following 90 days of employment. Company match on employee contribution:

• $1/$1 up to 3%, then .50 cents / $1 for 4th and 5th %s
• Fully vested from day one
• Company match does not apply to catch-up contribution

Cell Phone & Internet Reimbursed up to $150 monthly to cover cell phone, data, and home internet expenses. Aquila Technology will reimburse team members who work from home ONLY for cell phone/mobile device fees for work-related communications and/or operations each month. Employees eligible for this benefit must work remote 2 days a week or more to qualify.

Buy Your Own Device (BYOD) -Team members are eligible for reimbursement of up to $1,500 every three (3) years for the purchase of electronic equipment used to access corporate services. To qualify for this benefit, employees must have completed a minimum of six (6) months of employment and must agree to and sign the Device Minimum Configuration Form prior to reimbursement. Electronic devices eligible under the Buy Your Own Device (BYOD) program are limited to cell phones, laptops, and tablets.

Clearance Level: Candidates can start with an interim clearance at the start of the position.
Work Location: Candidates should expect to be onsite 3 days/wk with the remaining days remote.
Interview process: first round zoom screening as an initial screening and then a second round IN PERSON interview for local candidates. The group will entertain second round zoom for relocation candidates but local candidates should be prepared to be onsite.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.