Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on developing and validating embedded flight software for a deployed payload system that incorporates advanced sensors in a novel space application. You will work in a fully digital environment, creating C++-based software for space-based sensor systems, ensuring that all software is flight-qualified and meets stringent regulatory and operational requirements. The position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to mission-critical flight software and collaborate closely with systems and hardware engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test embedded flight software in C++ for space-based sensor and payload systems.
• Execute digital simulations to validate software performance, functionality, and behavior under flight conditions.
• Ensure all software meets flight qualification standards and relevant regulatory requirements for flight-critical systems.
• Debug and resolve complex software issues within real-time operating system (RTOS) environments such as VxWorks.
• Collaborate closely with systems engineering and hardware teams to integrate embedded software with payload and sensor hardware.
• Document software architecture, detailed design, test procedures, and validation results in a clear and traceable manner.
• Participate in technical design reviews and assessments, providing input on software design decisions and system-level trade-offs.
• Implement embedded code that adheres to specifications and can be effectively tested and validated in simulated environments.
• Apply a systematic problem-solving methodology to isolate root causes, analyze constraints, and drive issues to resolution.
• Gather and interpret technical data and empirical evidence to inform debugging, troubleshooting, and optimization decisions.
• Generate multiple viable technical solutions to complex software challenges while operating within engineering and system constraints.
• Architect software solutions that respect timing, memory, processing, and safety limitations at the system level.
• Demonstrate technical resilience by persisting through difficult problems and successfully resolving complex embedded software issues.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience in embedded software development.
• Strong proficiency in C++ for embedded systems and low-level software development.
• Hands-on experience with embedded C and embedded software design for real-time applications.
• Demonstrated experience developing flight software rather than ground support software.
• Prior experience with flight-qualified or flight-critical software development in aerospace or similar domains.
• Proven expertise in Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), specifically VxWorks.
• Experience conducting digital simulations for software validation and performance analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a structured and systematic approach to diagnosing issues.
• Ability to perform fact-based analysis by gathering, interpreting, and leveraging technical data and empirical evidence.
• Capability to recognize and manage system-level constraints such as timing, memory, processing limitations, and safety requirements.
• Demonstrated technical resilience and analytical rigor when resolving complex embedded software problems.
• Ability to architect and implement embedded code that performs to specification and can be thoroughly tested and validated.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a security clearance appropriate for classified work environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience working with missile or other high-reliability, mission-critical systems.
• Strong embedded experience with familiarity across the full embedded software lifecycle, from design through qualification.
• Ability to develop multiple solution options and evaluate trade-offs within engineering constraints.
• Effective collaboration skills for working with systems engineering and hardware teams.
• Clear technical communication skills for documenting designs, test procedures, and validation results, and for participating in design reviews.

Work Environment

This position operates within a secure classified facility (SCIF) environment, supporting sensitive space and payload programs. Work is performed primarily in an office and lab setting, using digital simulation tools, embedded development environments, and RTOS-based platforms such as VxWorks. The role is based in established aerospace hubs with locations in Sunnyvale, CA, Denver, CO, or Huntsville, AL, offering collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams. You will work in a professional environment that emphasizes rigor, precision, and adherence to security protocols, with standard business hours that may occasionally require flexibility to support critical testing, reviews, or mission milestones.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Huntsville, AL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $95.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Huntsville, AL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Huntsville,AL.

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 us.fitly.work 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.