Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Embedded Software Engineer
Job Description
This role focuses on the architecture, design, development, integration, verification, and sustainment of complex embedded software solutions for advanced electro-optical, infrared, imaging, display, and sensor-based systems. The Embedded Software Engineer acts as a technical leader, owning significant software subsystems from concept through deployment while guiding junior and mid-level engineers. The position supports mission-critical military and defense applications involving cameras, displays, embedded processors, real-time operating systems, and system-on-chip technologies. This is a hands-on role suited for an engineer with strong Embedded C/C++ skills, experience with FreeRTOS or Embedded Linux, and familiarity with AMD/Xilinx processing platforms who can lead development efforts in a highly technical environment.
Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of complex embedded software components and subsystems.
• Own software architecture, key design decisions, implementation strategies, and technical execution for assigned products, features, or subsystems.
• Develop embedded software for AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC, MicroBlaze, and other SoC-based processor platforms.
• Design and implement software for Bare Metal, FreeRTOS, and Embedded Linux/Ubuntu environments.
• Develop and debug low-level drivers, middleware, communication protocols, and application-level software.
• Integrate embedded software with FPGA, hardware, sensor, display, and imaging subsystems.
• Lead hardware/software integration activities, including board bring-up, system-level debugging, and root-cause analysis.
• Develop and troubleshoot communication interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, RS-232, GPIO, Ethernet, TCP/IP, and lwIP Ethernet stacks.
• Support camera, display, image processing, electro-optical/infrared, and sensor-based embedded systems.
• Create and maintain software requirements, architecture documentation, design specifications, verification plans, and test procedures.
• Conduct code reviews and provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior and mid-level embedded software engineers.
• Collaborate closely with systems, hardware, FPGA, verification, manufacturing, and program management teams to meet technical, schedule, and quality objectives.
• Support technical planning activities, including risk identification, effort estimation, and schedule development.
• Participate in technical reviews, design reviews, customer demonstrations, and cross-functional engineering discussions.
• Utilize development and collaboration tools such as GitLab, Jira, Confluence, AMD Vitis, Linux, and Ubuntu to support software development and team coordination.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of professional embedded software development experience.
• Strong hands-on programming experience in C and C++, with an emphasis on Embedded C++ development.
• Experience developing embedded software in one or more environments, including FreeRTOS, Embedded Linux, Ubuntu, and Bare Metal systems.
• Experience developing software for modern embedded processor or SoC platforms.
• Experience with AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC, MicroBlaze, or similar embedded processing architectures.
• Experience using AMD Vitis or similar embedded software development and debugging tools.
• Experience developing and debugging low-level drivers and hardware interfaces, including I2C, SPI, UART, RS-232, GPIO, and Ethernet.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking fundamentals and embedded communication protocols.
• Experience with hardware/software integration, board bring-up, system-level debugging, and lab-based troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with software development tools and processes, including GitLab, Jira, Confluence, and software configuration management.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, communication, and technical leadership skills.
• Ability to work fully onsite in Melbourne, FL.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting electro-optical/infrared imaging systems, cameras, displays, video processing, or image processing applications.
• Experience with military, defense, aerospace, or other mission-critical embedded systems.
• Hands-on experience with FreeRTOS in production embedded environments.
• Experience with Ethernet stack development, including lwIP, TCP/IP, and embedded networking protocols.
• Experience with distributed embedded systems and real-time communication interfaces.
• Experience with AMD/Xilinx UltraScale+ development on SoC-based platforms.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or serving as a technical lead on embedded software programs.
• Experience supporting software verification, automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, or requirements-based development.
• Experience using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and other debugging tools.
• Experience working directly with FPGA, electrical, systems, and verification engineering teams.
• Active DoD security clearance preferred, with the ability to obtain a clearance if not already held.
• Active Secret clearance or higher is highly desirable.

Work Environment
This role is based fully onsite in Melbourne, FL, within a highly technical engineering environment focused on mission-critical embedded systems for advanced imaging, electro-optical/infrared, and sensor-based applications. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including hardware, FPGA, systems, verification, manufacturing, and program management, to deliver robust embedded solutions. The work involves hands-on development and debugging in lab settings using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and other diagnostic tools. Daily activities include using modern software development and collaboration tools such as GitLab, Jira, Confluence, AMD Vitis, Linux, and Ubuntu. The environment emphasizes rigorous engineering practices, thorough documentation, and close coordination across teams to meet demanding technical, schedule, and quality objectives.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Melbourne, FL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $140000.00/yr.
Leonardo DRS offers a competitive benefits package that may include: Medical, dental, and vision coverage Company contribution to a Health Savings Account Telemedicine Life and disability insurance Legal insurance 401(k) savings plan Wellness programs focused on physical, emotional, and financial well-being Career development and professional growth programs 9/80 work schedule Competitive vacation Health and emergency leave Paid parental leave Community service hours
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Melbourne,FL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 28, 2026.
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.