Embedded Software Engineer

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

This role offers an opportunity for a hands-on Embedded Software Engineer to lead technical discussions across embedded software and hardware workstreams within a Fire & Safety Detection division. You will act as the primary onsite liaison between local stakeholders and an offshore engineering team, ensuring alignment on architecture, implementation, and compliance objectives. This is a long-term assignment with an initial duration of 12 months and a strong likelihood of extension.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the tenured embedded software engineer for embedded software and hardware workstreams contributing to CRA compliance initiatives.

• Review and clarify software and hardware architectures, implementation approaches, and code structures to ensure they align with engineering standards.

• Conduct thorough code reviews, design reviews, and technical assessments to ensure deliverables meet defined quality and performance criteria.

• Participate in planning sessions, architecture reviews, and compliance checkpoints, capturing context, decisions, and action items to communicate clearly to offshore teams.

• Act as the day-to-day bridge between onsite stakeholders and offshore engineering teams, ensuring shared understanding of requirements, priorities, and timelines.

• Ensure offshore engineers have the necessary context, access, tools, and documentation to work efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.

• Review and validate offshore deliverables before they are presented to or integrated into production systems.

• Guide engineering teams and take ownership of technical outcomes across programs or products, providing direction and support as needed.

• Coordinate closely with offshore engineering teams to align technical solutions, resolve issues, and maintain consistent progress.

Essential Skills

• At least 6 years of embedded systems engineering experience in a technology product environment, working with software, hardware, or a combination of both.

• Hands-on experience with embedded Linux in the context of connected or intelligent devices.

• Proficiency in C and C++ programming languages for embedded systems development.

• Experience working with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and firmware development for embedded platforms.

• Strong embedded software development skills, including debugging, optimization, and integration with hardware.

• Ability to navigate time zone differences, communication gaps, and cultural nuances when collaborating with offshore teams.

• Capability to bridge technical and non-technical conversations, clearly explaining engineering progress, trade-offs, and risks to program managers, product owners, and leadership.

• Willingness and ability to work onsite on a regular basis in Westford, MA.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience coordinating embedded software and hardware workstreams in compliance-driven environments.

• Experience in embedded systems programming and firmware development for intelligent or connected devices.

• Familiarity with conducting structured architecture and design reviews in collaborative engineering environments.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with distributed, cross-functional teams.

Work Environment

The role is based in a hybrid work environment with regular onsite presence required in Westford, MA. You will collaborate closely with local stakeholders while maintaining day-to-day coordination with offshore engineering teams across time zones. The environment centers on embedded Linux, RTOS, firmware, and C/C++ development for intelligent and connected devices, with frequent participation in planning sessions, architecture reviews, and compliance checkpoints.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Westford, MA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $78.00 - $78.00/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 hybrid position in Westford,MA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 5, 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.