Embedded Software Engineer

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

This mid-level Embedded Software Engineer role focuses on developing mission-critical embedded software and firmware for advanced missile defense systems. You will design, develop, integrate, and demonstrate sophisticated software capabilities in a fast-paced engineering environment, working closely with integrated engineering teams. Strong technical communication skills are essential to deliver high-quality, reliable software solutions for complex, safety-critical platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop embedded airborne system software within assigned technical areas, including software architecture definition, code implementation, peer review participation, and comprehensive unit testing.
• Own integration of software modules within subsystems and actively contribute to cross-subsystem integration efforts to ensure seamless system performance.
• Utilize DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines to maintain software quality, reliability, and timely delivery across the development lifecycle.
• Develop software tools and test harnesses that support software testing, integration, diagnostics, and long-term maintenance activities.
• Contribute to the design, development, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging of embedded software systems, resolving complex technical issues within project scope.
• Communicate frequently and directly with internal stakeholders and team members to clarify requirements, report progress, and coordinate technical decisions.
• Apply established software engineering principles, standards, and best practices throughout the full software development life cycle, including requirements analysis, hardware compatibility analysis, and development of infrastructure and platform support tools.
• Recommend new technologies, tools, and standards to enhance software engineering practices, collaborating with senior engineers to align improvements with organizational goals.
• Coach and mentor junior team members, review their technical work, and help ensure successful delivery of projects within the assigned technical domain.
• Demonstrate initiative in identifying and proposing improved development workflows, tools, and engineering practices for team adoption, including emerging AI-enabled development capabilities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution, with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• 4+ years of relevant technical experience, or at least 2+ years of experience with a masters degree in a related field.
• Approximately 2+ years of experience with real-time embedded systems in defense, aerospace, or other safety-critical platforms is preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in C and C++ for embedded systems development.
• Hands-on experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as VxWorks, Integrity, or FreeRTOS.
• Proficiency working with embedded processors and microcontrollers, including architectures such as ARM Cortex, RISC-V, or similar.
• Experience using embedded debugging tools and equipment, including JTAG interfaces and oscilloscopes.
• Practical experience with modern software development practices, including Agile methodologies, DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and test automation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to address highly complex technical challenges in mission-critical environments.
• Ability to work independently on well-defined tasks while contributing effectively within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
• Eligibility requirements that include U.S. Citizenship and the ability to hold or obtain an active DoD Secret Security Clearance.
• Residence in North Alabama or willingness to relocate to the HuntsvilleNorth Alabama area.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with high-speed guided weapon systems, flight control systems, or similar embedded control solutions.
• Background in developing large-scale embedded, high-performance systems with a high level of determinism and strict timing constraints.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes for development, testing, or deployment workflows.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools.
• Experience with Python for scripting, tooling, or test automation within embedded software environments.
• Broad understanding of embedded systems, including embedded processors, microcontrollers, and real-time operating systems.
• Exposure to AI-enabled development tools and workflows, and interest in adopting emerging technologies to improve engineering efficiency.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite in Huntsville, Alabama, supporting an embedded software engineering team working on mission-critical defense systems. You will operate in a fast-paced, highly technical environment that emphasizes collaboration, rigorous engineering standards, and modern development practices such as Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, and test automation. Daily work involves close interaction with embedded processors and microcontrollers, RTOS platforms like VxWorks, Integrity, or FreeRTOS, and use of debugging tools such as JTAG and oscilloscopes. The onsite setting fosters direct communication with multidisciplinary engineering teams and offers opportunities to contribute to advanced, safety-critical systems while leveraging cutting-edge technologies and tools.

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

The pay range for this position is $61.77 - $93.47/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Huntsville,AL.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.