Lead Embedded Software Engineer (Herndon)

Role: Lead Embedded Software Engineer

Location: Herndon, Virginia (100% Onsite)

Compensation: $160,000 – $180,000 / year + Full Benefits

Clearance: Active US DoD Secret Security Clearance Required

Travel: Less than 10%

Work Authorization: US Citizens / No Sponsorship Available

ABOUT THE ROLE

A leading aerospace and defence organization is seeking a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to guide the development of mission-critical embedded systems in Herndon, VA.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on driving the adoption of Rust, modernizing legacy software, and delivering maintainable, memory-safe solutions for complex real-time platforms. You will set engineering direction across multiple product lines, mentor software teams, and remain closely involved across requirements, architecture, hardware-software integration, and formal testing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Technical Leadership: Guide multidisciplinary engineering teams through the full software development lifecycle (SDLC), providing technical direction and mentoring junior engineers.
• Rust Adoption: Drive the deployment of Rust—including associated techniques, idioms, design patterns, and tooling—and guide the conversion/integration of legacy C/C++ embedded software.
• Full Lifecycle Engineering: Translate operational requirements into working software, collaborate with hardware/systems teams on interface design, write test plans, and oversee defect resolution.
• Real-Time Development: Develop embedded software using Rust, C, C++, and Python for RTOS environments such as VxWorks, Linux, and Integrity.
• Program Management Support: Support EVM tracking, software proposal packages, cost estimation, and software planning efforts.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field + 9+ years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree + 7+ years of relevant experience;

OR

• 13+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Leadership: 3+ years leading software development teams, including 2+ years in an Agile software-lead or comparable technical leadership role.
• Rust Expertise: Professional software development experience in Rust.
• C/C++ & Design: 5+ years of C or C++ development and object-oriented design experience.
• Program Execution: 5+ years of Earned Value Management (EVM) tracking experience and 3+ years leading software proposals (including cost estimates and proposal packages).
• Clearance & Logistics: Active US DoD Secret Security Clearance and US work authorization without sponsorship.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Development of embedded real-time systems, device drivers, and Board Support Packages (BSPs).
• Object-oriented design using UML or tools like IBM Rhapsody, MagicDraw, or Cameo.
• Background in Information Assurance, cryptography, NSA Type 1 certification, or safety/certification standards such as DO-178.
• Strong written, verbal, and technical communication skills.

WHY JOIN US?

• Senior technical leadership role shaping next-generation defence platforms.
• Opportunity to lead architecture modernization using cutting-edge memory-safe practices (Rust).
• Comprehensive benefits package and long-term product responsibility.