Embedded Software Engineer

Actalent; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 89,544 - 130,872; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave

Job summary

Actalent in Littleton, CO seeks an Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, and validate flight software for space-based sensor payloads. The role emphasizes C++ in RTOS environments (VxWorks) and close collaboration with systems engineering and hardware teams.

The contract position requires 5+ years of embedded experience, flight-qualified software expertise, and robust verification, validation, and documentation practices in a fully digital development setting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of embedded software development experience.
• Proficiency in C++ for embedded systems.
• Experience with RTOS, specifically VxWorks.
• Flight-qualified or flight-critical software development experience.
• Experience with digital simulations for software validation.
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field.
• Ability to collaborate with systems and hardware teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test embedded flight software in C++ for space-based sensor payloads.
• Implement software that meets flight qualification standards and regulatory requirements.
• Debug and resolve RTOS issues in VxWorks.
• Collaborate with systems engineering and hardware teams to integrate software with payload and sensor systems.
• Develop and execute software test procedures and validation plans.
• Prepare detailed documentation of software design, implementation decisions, test procedures, and validation results.
• Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and formal assessments to ensure software quality.
• Analyze system-level constraints and architect solutions within timing, memory, and safety limits.
• Generate multiple viable technical solutions within engineering and system constraints.

Skills

C++ for embedded systems

Embedded C

RTOS (VxWorks)

Flight software development

Debugging RTOS

Systems & hardware integration

Documentation skills

Structured problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field

Job description

Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

This position focuses on the design, development, and validation of embedded flight software for a deployed payload system that uses advanced sensors in a novel space application. You will work in a fully digital development environment and play a key role in qualifying and validating software for flight operations. The role requires deep expertise in embedded systems, real-time operating systems, and C++ development for mission-critical, flight-qualified software.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test embedded flight software in C++ for space-based sensor payload systems.
• Implement embedded software that meets functional, performance, and reliability requirements for flight operations.
• Execute digital simulations to validate software performance, behavior, and functionality in representative environments.
• Ensure embedded software meets flight qualification standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Debug and resolve complex software issues in real-time operating system (RTOS) environments, including VxWorks.
• Collaborate closely with systems engineering and hardware teams to integrate software with payload and sensor systems.
• Analyze system-level constraints such as timing, memory, processing capacity, and safety requirements, and architect solutions that operate effectively within these limits.
• Apply a systematic, fact-based problem‑solving methodology to isolate root causes and implement robust fixes.
• Develop, document, and execute software test procedures and validation plans for flight software.
• Prepare and maintain detailed documentation of software design, implementation decisions, test procedures, and validation results.
• Participate in technical design reviews, code reviews, and formal assessments to ensure software quality and compliance.
• Generate and evaluate multiple technical solution options when addressing complex embedded software challenges.
• Demonstrate technical resilience by persisting through difficult issues and driving them to successful resolution.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience in embedded software development.
• Strong proficiency in C++ for embedded systems development.
• Hands‑on experience with embedded C and embedded software architectures.
• Proven expertise with Real‑Time Operating Systems (RTOS), including VxWorks.
• Demonstrated experience developing flight software rather than ground support software.
• Prior experience with flight‑qualified or flight‑critical software development.
• Experience executing digital simulations for software validation and verification.
• Strong embedded experience with the ability to design, implement, and test low‑level software for hardware‑constrained environments.
• Demonstrated ability to write embedded code that performs to specification and can be effectively tested and validated in simulated environments.
• Systematic problem‑solving methodology, including structured approaches to isolating root causes of technical issues.
• Fact‑based analysis skills, with the ability to gather, interpret, and leverage technical data and empirical evidence for debugging and troubleshooting.
• Ability to generate multiple viable technical solutions within engineering and system constraints.
• Understanding of system‑level constraints such as timing, memory, processing limitations, and safety requirements, and the ability to design within those boundaries.
• Technical resilience, with a track record of persisting through complex embedded software problems and driving them to resolution.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to systematically diagnose issues, evaluate constraints, and develop viable solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with missile or other highly mission‑critical systems is beneficial.
• Familiarity with classified or sensitive projects and environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including systems and hardware engineers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting designs, test procedures, and validation results.
• Comfort working within a fully digital development and simulation environment.

Work Environment

This role supports classified work performed within a secure facility (SCIF) environment at locations such as Sunnyvale, CA, Denver, CO, or Huntsville, AL. You will work primarily in a fully digital development and simulation setting, using modern tools to design, implement, and validate embedded flight software for space‑based sensor payloads. The environment emphasizes rigorous engineering practices, thorough documentation, and adherence to flight qualification standards. Work is conducted in a secure, professional office and lab setting, with appropriate access controls and security protocols. Collaboration with cross‑functional engineering teams is a regular part of the workday, and you will participate in design reviews, technical assessments, and integration activities within this secure environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Littleton, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65.00 – $95.00/hr.

• 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 Littleton, CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 30, 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.