Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Principal Embedded Software Engineer

This is a contract-to-hire opportunity, with the intent to convert to a direct hire role. The contract period is typically expected to run approximately 6 to 12 months before conversion, depending on individual performance, business needs, and internal timing. Unlike a standard contract role where conversion may only be a possibility, the plan for this position is for the selected candidate to transition into a permanent role, assuming strong performance and continued mutual fit.

This role supports a major defense contractor and requires candidates to be U.S. Citizens due to the nature of the work and the requirement to be eligible to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance. An active clearance is not required to start; however, candidates must meet U.S. citizenship requirements for future clearance eligibility. Permanent Residents/Green Card holders and candidates who require or currently hold work authorization through F1-CPT, F1-OPT, H-1B, TN, or other temporary visa classifications are not eligible for this role. Due to federal contractor requirements, offers may be contingent upon successfully completing a background check and drug screening, which may include testing for cannabis. There are no exceptions to this requirement, including for medical marijuana cardholders.

Sterling Heights, MI (on site role).

$73.69/hr. Overtime paid at 1.5x over 40 hours.

Available (health insurance, dental, vision, 401k, etc) – benefit eligibility begins the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment. This role will have 7 paid holidays and 10 days PTO (PTO accrues over time). In going direct hire, there will be significantly more PTO.

HRU Technical Resources is partnering with a leading defense contractor to hire Principal Embedded Software Engineers for multiple openings. These roles support the development, integration, and testing of real-time embedded software systems for complex defense programs within a highly collaborative engineering environment.

We are considering candidates interested in either individual contributor or software technical leadership paths. Candidates selected for an individual contributor role will remain deeply focused on hands-on embedded software development and technical execution. Candidates selected for a software team leadership role will still maintain a strong technical focus, with an approximate split of 60% hands-on software development and technical execution and 40% project leadership, coordination, and team guidance.

These positions involve close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams, including Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Safety, and Software Engineering, and offer flexibility for experienced engineers to align with the role that best matches their strengths and career interests.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, integrate, and test real-time embedded software systems.
• Support the full software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, architecture, design, implementation, unit testing, hardware/software integration, verification, and validation.
• Develop software applications for Linux-based and/or bare-metal real-time systems.
• Support simulated and live system testing activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to resolve technical challenges.
• Ensure software solutions meet customer, technical, quality, cybersecurity, and performance requirements.
• Support secure software development practices and cybersecurity initiatives.
• Troubleshoot complex software issues and contribute to technical problem-solving efforts.
• Mentor junior engineers and support their technical development.

Software Team Leadership (For Leadership Candidates Only):

• Lead software engineering activities across assigned programs, projects, or work directives.
• Develop software project schedules, execution plans, and resource allocation strategies.
• Monitor technical, cost, schedule, and quality performance.
• Support software verification planning and execution.
• Coordinate with Safety Engineering to ensure proper implementation of safety-critical software requirements.
• Participate in and support formal program milestone reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR.
• Oversee Control Accounts and/or Work Packages as assigned.
• Support EVMS reporting and Estimates at Complete.
• Provide technical direction, tasking, and work assignments to project personnel.
• Communicate program status, risks, technical updates, and resource needs to leadership and customers.
• Coordinate internal and external resources to meet program objectives.
• Ensure adherence to Software Quality Assurance and Configuration Management processes.

Requirements (Both Roles):

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM-related field (Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Electrical Engineering degrees preferred).
• Minimum of one of the following:
• 6+ years of embedded software development and/or testing experience
• 4+ years of experience with a Master's degree
• 2+ years of experience with a PhD
• Experience with real-time embedded software development.
• Programming experience with C, C++, and Python.
• Experience with Linux operating systems and/or bare-metal embedded development.
• Experience with object-oriented software design and development.
• Familiarity with Ethernet communications.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to solve complex technical design, development, integration, and testing challenges.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with customers and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Ability to travel to customer sites as needed.

Additional Qualifications for Team Lead Candidates:

• Working knowledge of EVMS principles.
• Experience as a Control Account Manager and/or Work Package Manager.
• Experience leading small software development teams.
• Ability to provide technical direction and coordinate work across software engineering personnel.
• Strong presentation, communication, and meeting facilitation skills.
• Experience communicating technical status, risks, issues, and recommendations to leadership and customers.

Preferred Qualifications (Both Roles):

• Ada programming experience.
• Experience with Git, GitLab, and Jira.
• Experience with Qt Framework and QML.
• Experience with DOORS.
• Familiarity with CMMI development processes.
• Experience with Nessus and Coverity cybersecurity scanning tools.
• Experience with system hardening and STIG implementation.
• Familiarity with military and commercial design standards.
• Cybersecurity and Risk Management Framework knowledge.
• Experience obtaining or maintaining ATO compliance.
• Weapon systems and/or combat vehicle experience.
• Active Secret Clearance.

Work Environment:

• This is a 1st (day) shift role. This role follows a 9/80 schedule, with 9-hour days Monday through Thursday, an 8-hour workday every other Friday, and the alternate Friday off.
• There may be occasional overtime in this role. Any OT will be paid at 1.5x.
• This will be an on-site role (no remote work).
• Offer may be contingent on a background check and a drug screening, which would include testing for cannabis. There would be no exceptions to the drug screening (eg: for individuals with a medical marijuana card).
• HRU is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We are committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an employer of choice. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

How to Apply for This Job:

To apply for this position, please follow these steps: Apply for this job with your current resume. We'll get back to you the same day with some feedback on your application. Next you'll be invited to an online screening conversation so we can go over the job requirements together and you can ask questions. After this stage we'll give you more feedback on your application and select the candidates to move forward in the process. Typically steps 1 to 4 takes less than 24 hours.