Embedded Software Engineer

Actalent; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 99,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

HSA (Health Spending Account)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off / PTO

Job summary

Actalent is hiring an Embedded Software Engineer focused on aerospace and defense systems. The role emphasizes hands-on embedded development (C) with C++ and Python, plus mentoring teammates and guiding the architecture to meet stringent safety standards.

You will collaborate with systems and hardware teams, ensure compliance with AS9115/DO-178C, and participate in requirements management and safety processes within a dynamic program environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of embedded software experience for defense or aerospace.
• Experience with AS9115 and DO-178C standards.
• BS/MS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, CS or related field.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and guide embedded software engineers on technical projects.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to design embedded solutions for aerospace applications.
• Develop embedded software in C, with C++ and Python as needed.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards and MIL-STD-882 processes.
• Coordinate with systems and hardware teams for integrated solutions.
• Lead code reviews and enforce coding standards across the team.
• Plan and execute laboratory testing to verify functionality and safety.
• Contribute to requirements traceability and compliance tooling.

Skills

Embedded C

RTOS

C++

Python

Microcontrollers

Code reviews

Mentoring

System safety

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master in Computer/Electrical Engineering or CS

Tools

DOORS

Visure

Git

Debuggers

Job description

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

This role offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to develop mission‑critical software for aerospace applications within a dynamic, growing engineering team. You will spend approximately 70% of your time on hands‑on embedded software development and 30% on laboratory testing, contributing directly to complex systems while providing technical mentorship to other engineers. You will help architect, implement, and verify embedded solutions that comply with stringent aerospace and defense standards, ensuring system safety, reliability, and performance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as both an individual contributor and a mentor, providing technical guidance and career development support to other embedded software engineers.

• Collaborate closely with Sr. technical leadership to architect and implement embedded software solutions that meet program requirements for aerospace and defense applications.

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software primarily in C, with additional work in C++, Python, and other relevant languages as needed.

• Ensure software complies with applicable aerospace and defense standards, including AS9115 and DO-178C, with a focus on system safety and reliability.

• Manage assigned tasks effectively, monitor and report progress to team leaders, and proactively adjust priorities to meet schedule and budget constraints.

• Perform thorough code reviews, enforce coding standards, and maintain high levels of software quality across the embedded software codebase.

• Coordinate regularly with systems engineering and hardware teams to ensure seamless integration of software with the overall system architecture.

• Initiate, plan, and execute laboratory testing activities to validate embedded software functionality, performance, and safety.

• Contribute to and support safety‑compliant software and system safety processes, including those aligned with MIL-STD-882.

• Participate in requirements and compliance management activities, using appropriate modeling and tools to trace and verify requirements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.

• 5+ years of experience developing embedded software for defense or aerospace systems.

• Strong proficiency in Embedded C, including experience on bare‑metal platforms and real‑time operating systems (RTOS).

• Experience programming in C++, with additional scripting or development experience in Python.

• Hands‑on experience with microcontroller‑based embedded systems and low‑level software development.

• Experience with embedded systems development tools, including compilers, debuggers, and version control systems.

• Ability to perform and participate in code reviews and enforce coding standards to maintain software quality.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across software, systems, and hardware teams.

• Excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage tasks, track progress, and adjust priorities.

• Ability to work with mission‑critical, safety‑focused aerospace and defense applications, following established processes and standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with aerospace and defense software standards such as AS9115 and DO-178C for system safety.

• Familiarity with safety‑critical systems development and safety processes in compliance with MIL-STD-882.

• Experience developing embedded software for System‑on‑Chip (SoC) designs, including RFSoC and similar platforms.

• Experience in embedded software for advanced systems, RF front ends, mixed‑signal, and digital solutions.

• Experience using requirements and compliance management tools such as DOORS, Visure, or similar modeling and tracking platforms.

• Prior hands‑on work with aerospace or defense embedded platforms and associated test environments.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and provide technical oversight to embedded software team members.

• Familiarity with mission‑critical, high‑reliability systems and the associated verification and validation practices.

Work Environment

You will work in a technically rigorous aerospace and defense environment focused on delivering mission‑critical solutions across advanced systems, RF front ends, mixed‑signal, and digital product lines. The role combines office and laboratory settings, where you will use embedded development tools, compilers, debuggers, version control systems, and specialized test equipment to design, implement, and validate software on microcontrollers, SoCs, and RFSoC platforms. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams of software, systems, and hardware engineers, following structured processes and industry standards for safety‑critical systems. The environment emphasizes high performance, quality, and compliance, while supporting professional growth through mentorship, technical leadership opportunities, and exposure to cutting‑edge aerospace and defense technologies.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Frederick, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $72.11 - $96.15/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Frederick,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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 [e-mail] 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.