Sr. Software Engineer

Job Title: Software Engineer – Embedded Linux & EV Charging SystemsJob Description

This role focuses on designing and developing the core software that powers a large-scale fast-charging network for electric vehicles. You will build and maintain applications running on an embedded Linux site controller that securely manages all devices at a charging site. These applications handle billing and authorization, integrate with payment terminals and displays, manage site-level power distribution, communicate with cloud services, and provide essential data to mobile and vehicle user interfaces. You will work primarily with Golang, C, and Rust in a multi-threaded, microservice-based environment, contributing directly to the reliability, scalability, and customer experience of next-generation EV charging products.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality, testable software using Golang, C, and/or Rust for embedded Linux platforms.

• Design and implement solutions within a microservice architecture that directly impact customer experience and system reliability.

• Participate in hands-on product bring-up, helping to accelerate deployment through effective commissioning and improved serviceability.

• Perform root cause analysis of field issues and deliver quick, robust, and maintainable software fixes.

• Develop and maintain continuous integration tests, including unit tests, software-in-the-loop (SIL), and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), to validate component and system functionality.

• Collaborate closely with validation teams to define integration test strategies and execute comprehensive test plans.

• Contribute to the secure management of devices at charging sites, including communication with payment terminals, displays, and cloud services.

• Support features related to billing, authorization, site-level power distribution, and data exchange with mobile and vehicle user interfaces.

• Work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities while maintaining high code quality.

• Engage in continuous learning to stay current with evolving technologies in embedded systems, EV charging protocols, and cloud connectivity.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of professional software development experience using application-layer languages such as Golang, C, and Rust.

• Strong experience developing software for embedded Linux platforms, including familiarity with system-level concepts and tooling.

• Proficiency in multi-threaded and multi-process programming, with a solid understanding of concurrency and synchronization.

• Experience writing unit tests and practicing test-driven development to ensure robust, maintainable code.

• Background in software development for Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, including device connectivity and remote management.

• Experience developing mission-critical applications on embedded Linux systems where reliability and uptime are essential.

• Hands-on experience with communication formats and protocols such as JSON, Protobuf, gRPC, REST, TLS, TCP, UDP, and CAN.

• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to multi-task, prioritize effectively, and deliver high-quality work under time constraints.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across engineering and validation teams and clearly explain technical concepts.

• Solid understanding of object-oriented design principles and best practices in modern software engineering.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with device-to-cloud interfaces for EV charging protocols such as OCPP and ISO 15118 is highly desirable.

• Background implementing software for power conversion, thermal controls, battery management, or other physically intensive product domains is a plus.

• Familiarity with microservice architectures and distributed systems design.

• Experience integrating embedded systems with cloud services and mobile applications.

• Interest in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and sustainable energy technologies.

• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis on complex field issues and deliver timely, effective solutions.

• Comfort with continuous integration and automated testing frameworks, including SIL and HIL environments.

Work Environment

You will work in a highly technical, fast-paced engineering environment focused on advancing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The core technology stack includes embedded Linux running on site controllers, with applications primarily developed in Golang, C, and Rust. The systems you build operate within a microservice architecture and communicate over protocols such as JSON, Protobuf, gRPC, REST, TLS, TCP, UDP, and CAN, interfacing with payment terminals, displays, power distribution hardware, and cloud services. Collaboration with validation and other engineering teams is central to the role, with a strong emphasis on continuous integration, automated testing (unit, SIL, HIL), and rigorous field issue analysis. The culture values innovation, ownership, and continuous learning, offering the opportunity to contribute directly to the evolution of next-generation fast chargers and the broader EV ecosystem.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Palo Alto, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $80.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Palo Alto,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 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.