Embedded Software Engineer - AV Safety

Forterra; Clarksburg (MD); On-site; USD 115,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in autonomous systems is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to design and implement safety-critical software for their vehicle platforms. The role offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in a fast-paced environment, ensuring software reliability and compliance with safety standards.

Benefits

Premium Healthcare Benefits

401(k) retirement plan with company match

20 days paid time off

Company-paid life and disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement stipend

Generous holiday calendar

Qualifications

• Proven experience in software development focusing on quality.
• Familiarity with static analysis tools like MISRA C/C++.
• Experience with Real-time Operating Systems such as QNX.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop safety-critical embedded software.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for project success.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation.

Skills

Problem Solving

Analytical Skills

Software Development

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science or Engineering

Job description

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About The Role

Forterra is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to design, implement, test, and deploy software systems essential to the safe operation of our autonomous vehicle platform. This role demands strong software engineering expertise with a focus on reliability, security, and performance, given the safetycritical nature of the work. Experience with safety standards such as ISO 26262, IEC 61508, DO-178, or MIL-STD-882 is preferred.

What You'll Do

• Design and develop safety-critical embedded software, adhering to applicable standards with a focus on robust, reliable, and fault-tolerant architectures.
• Contribute to software project planning activities including sprint planning, task delegation, roadmap refinement, and defining clear markers of success.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including systems, safety, and test engineering—to ensure both product and program-level requirements are satisfied.
• Contribute to software development throughout the entire lifecycle, from feature definition through testing, verification, and final delivery.
• Develop safety critical embedded software in C/C++ or model-based safety certifiable development tools for use on processors running an RTOS such as QNX.
• Development of software safety artifacts and required documentation to provide evidence of rigor in accordance with relevant standards.
• Ensure that software requirements are clearly defined, implemented and traceable to system and safety requirements.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software requirements, architecture, and design to ensure compliance with safety software development processes.
• Participate in safety assessments, analyses and review of work products created by other functional groups that affect safety software features.

What We're Looking For:

• A detail-oriented engineer with a passion for developing high-quality, high-integrity embedded software applications.
• Familiarity with static analysis such as MISRA C/C++.
• Experience with development for Real-time Operating Systems such as QNX.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills, with an ability to troubleshoot and resolve software issues.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities.

What We Need:

• Proven experience in software development, with a focus on quality and reliability.
• Fluency in a text-based computer language usable for safety critical software development, such as C, C++, or Ada.
• Experience with software development methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall.

What We Love to See:

• Experience with model-based programming tools such as ANSYS SCADE, Simulink, or similar in safety critical applications.
• Familiarity with safety standards, such as ISO-26262, IEC-61508, DO-178, or MIL-STD-882
• Experience with CAN, CAN/FD, Ethernet, and FlexRay.
• Strong understanding of algorithms and subjects relevant to ground robotics, including perception, world modeling, navigation/localization, planning, and/or motion control.
• Hands-on experience with integration of other complex electro-mechanical systems (aerospace, medical, etc.).

US Salary Range
$115,000 to $170,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.