Embedded Software Engineer III

Specter Aerospace; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Specter Aerospace in Boston (Seaport) seeks an Embedded Software Engineer III to lead flight software development for custom vehicle avionics and ground support systems. You will own embedded software across architecture, requirements, drivers, and integration.

Collaborate with GNC, electrical, mechanical, and test engineers to deliver reliable software. You will work with bare-metal and RTOS environments (QNX, VxWorks, FreeRTOS), implement sensors and control interfaces, and mentor junior

Qualifications

• Must have strong embedded C/C++ background and embedded Linux experience.
• Experience with RTOS (FreeRTOS, QNX, VxWorks) and bare-metal development.
• Familiarity with CAN/SPI/I2C/UART and vehicle sensing/control interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain embedded software for flight avionics and ground support systems.
• Define software architecture, interfaces, and implementation approaches.
• Develop hardware drivers and communication interfaces for sensing and control hardware.
• Collaborate with GNC, electrical, mechanical, and test engineers for integration.
• Lead software through requirements, implementation, integration, testing, and documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to code reviews and design discussions.

Skills

Embedded C

C++17+

Embedded Linux

RTOS

Communication protocols

Driver development

Debugging tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Yocto

CI/CD for embedded

Docker/Podman

Job description

Role Summary

Specter Aerospace is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer III to develop and implement flight software for custom vehicle avionics and ground support systems. This position will provide technical ownership across the embedded software lifecycle, including architecture, requirements development, driver implementation, flight algorithm integration, testing, and vehicle integration.

A successful candidate will work closely with electrical, GNC, mechanical, and test engineers to deliver reliable embedded system s for Specter’s experimental and flight vehicle programs.

About Specter Aerospace

Specter Aerospace is building the next generation of hypersonic vehicles for U.S. Forces and Allies. With offices in Boston and Peabody, MA, Specter leverages its advanced propulsion technologies, manufacturing, and testing capabilities to rapidly develop supersonic and hypersonic systems. Our Embedded Software Engineer III will be based in our Boston (Seaport) office. Funded by a mix of government R&D organizations and private funding, Specter is expanding its team in preparation for flight testing and full-scale production.

Role Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain embedded software for custom flight avionics and ground support systems.
• Define software architecture, interfaces, and implementation approaches for assigned systems.
• Develop hardware drivers and communication interfaces for custom sensing and control hardware.
• Collaborate with GNC engineers to implement and validate flight control and navigation algorithms.
• Develop microcontroller softwareon bare metal and real-time operating systems such as QNX, VxWorks, or FreeRTOS.
• Integrate new sensors, actuators, communications interfaces, and flight capabilities into vehicle software.
• Develop hardware in the loop and software in the loop test systems.
• Lead assigned software through requirements, implementation, integration, testing, and documentation.
• Support vehicle integration, ground testing, flight testing, and post-test analysis.
• Mentor less experienced engineers and contribute to code reviews, technical meetings, and design discussions.

Required Qualifications

• Strong embedded C and C++ (C++17 and newer) skills
• Firm understanding of embedded debugging methodologies (e.g. in-circuit debugging, digital logic analyzer, oscilloscopes, etc.)
• Extensive experience with embedded Linux and RT-PREEMPT
• Understanding of common communication protocols (CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, layer-2 Ethernet)
• Extensive experience with real-time operating systems (e.g. FreeRTOS, QNX, VxWorks) and bare-metal development
• Ability to review circuit board schematics to inform firmware and driver development
• Experience writing test tooling/scripting to optimize test data analysis and build relevant workflows
• Available for up to 10% travel for off-site ground & flight test activities
• Ability to obtain aDoDsecurity clearance (U.S. Citizenshiprequired)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or another related field
• 5+ years of experience in embedded/software engineering or 3+ years with further relevant degrees
• Understanding of containerization (e.g. Docker/Podman)
• Experience establishing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines for embedded projects
• Experience with Yocto
• Familiarity with industry standards such as MIL-1553 or DO-178C
• Familiarity with flight software development, specifically using WOSA
• Experience developing/implementing motor control algorithms on microcontrollers

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.