Embedded Software Engineer III

Ascendion; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Long-term disability insurance

Short-term disability insurance

5 personal days

10-15 days paid vacation

6 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday

Ascendion Learning Management System

Job summary

Ascendion in Redmond, WA is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer III to advance perceptual quality software for AR/VR devices. You will modify firmware, build test infra, write automated and manual tests, and collaborate with teams to ensure high-quality display pipelines.

The role spans from low-level firmware to tooling, requiring strong systems thinking, C/C++, RTOS experience, and a quality-first mindset. Onsite employment with competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in firmware or systems software for embedded platforms.
• Strong C/C++ production firmware and test applications.
• Experience with RTOS and real-time multi-threaded apps.
• Experience building reusable test frameworks or harnesses.

Responsibilities

• Develop and modify device firmware (C/C++) to support perceptual quality features across computer vision, graphics, and display pipelines.
• Design, implement, and maintain test infrastructure for evaluating perceptual quality metrics (e.g., latency, quality/accuracy, motion-to-photon).
• Write new tests and maintain existing tests including unit tests, integration tests, manual validation procedures, and CI automation.
• Debug issues across the full software stack—from hardware bring-up and driver-level defects through application-layer rendering, providing both quick workarounds for time-critical issues and long-term solutions.
• Develop optimized firmware and software utilities targeting embedded environments, with portability across processors and platforms.
• Collaborate with internal teams to improve and tailor existing firmware, device drivers, and applications to project requirements.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded systems

RTOS

CI/CD

Python

Testing frameworks

Debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE/SE

Tools

CI/CD tooling

Test harnesses

Hardware-in-the-loop

Job description

Ascendion is an AI-native software engineering disruptor helping businesses innovate faster, smarter, and with greater impact. We partner with enterprise clients across North America, the UK, Europe, and APAC to solve complex challenges in data, experience design, software product engineering, and workforce transformation. Powered by expert engineers, thousands of AI agents, and our Engineering to the Power of AI (EngineeringAI) method, we deliver measurable outcomes that build trust, unlock value, and accelerate growth.

Learn more at https://ascendion.com/

Engineering to the Power of AI™, AAVA™, EngineeringAI, Engineering to Elevate Life™, Enterprise PlatformsAI, Data & InsightsAI, ExperienceAI, GCCAI, OperationsAI, Platform EngineeringAI, ProductAI, and Quality EngineeringAI are trademarks or service marks of Ascendion®. AAVA™ is pending registration. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.

Ascendion | Engineering to elevate life

We have a culture built on opportunity, inclusion, and a spirit of partnership. Come, change the world with us:

• Build the coolest tech for the world’s leading brands
• Solve complex problems - and learn new skills
• Experience the power of transforming digital engineering for Fortune 500 clients
• Master your craft with leading training programs and hands-on experience

Experience a community of change makers!

Join a culture of high-performing innovators with endless ideas and a passion for tech. Our culture is the fabric of our company, and it is what makes us unique and diverse. The way we share ideas, learning, experiences, successes, and joy allows everyone to be their best at Ascendion.

About The Role:

• We're looking for an Engineer to support the development of visual perceptual quality software for embedded Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality (AR/VR) devices.
• You'll modify device firmware, build and maintain test infrastructure, write automated and manual tests, and collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure display and graphics pipelines meet rigorous perceptual quality standards.
• This role spans low-level firmware through application-level tooling, requiring strong systems thinking and a quality-first mindset.

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer III

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and modify device firmware (C/C++) to support visual perceptual quality features across computer vision, graphics, and display pipelines.
• Design, implement, and maintain test infrastructure for evaluating perceptual quality metrics (e.g., latency, quality/accuracy, motion-to-photon).
• Write new tests and maintain existing tests including unit tests, integration tests, manual validation procedures, and CI automation.
• Debug issues across the full software stack—from hardware bring-up and driver-level defects through application-layer rendering, providing both quick workarounds for time-critical issues and long-term solutions.
• Develop optimized firmware and software utilities targeting embedded environments, with portability across processors and platforms.
• Integrate platform-level features where applicable.
• Collaborate with internal teams to improve and tailor existing firmware, device drivers, and applications to project requirements.
• Create clean, well-documented, and testable code; contribute to Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) build scripts and automation pipelines as needed.
• Document designs, tradeoffs, test methodologies, and results for cross-functional stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a relevant field.
• 6+ years of industry experience developing and testing low-level firmware or systems software for embedded platforms.
• 6+ years of solid programming skills in C and C++, with experience writing production firmware and test applications.
• Experience with the full software development lifecycle including requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and delivery.
• Experience building reusable test frameworks, harnesses, or infrastructure for hardware-in-the-loop or perceptual quality validation.
• Demonstrated debugging skills across complex software/hardware stacks (graphics, display, or sensor pipelines preferred).
• Experience with Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) and developing multi-threaded or real-time applications.
• Experience with CI/CD development tools and processes.
• Scripting skills using Python or similar languages for developing utilities and test automation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a relevant field.
• Experience with computer vision, graphics and display systems.
• Understanding of visual/perceptual quality metrics and measurement methodologies (e.g., Just Noticeable Difference [JND], Structural Similarity Index Measure [SSIM], flicker thresholds, motion-to-photon latency).
• Experience with AR/VR display technologies and associated performance constraints.
• Android platform experience (Native Development Kit [NDK], Java Native Interface [JNI], Hardware Abstraction Layer [HAL]) or low-level platform integration.
• Familiarity with image/video quality assessment tools or development of custom measurement utilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work independently and manage priorities.
• Prior FAANG or Big Tech preferred

Location:Redmond, WA [Onsite]

Salary Range:The salaryfor this position is between$145,600 - $195,520 annually. Factors which may affect pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Benefits

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• [medical insurance]
• [dental insurance]
• [vision insurance]
• [401(k) retirement plan]
• [long-term disability insurance]
• [short-term disability insurance]
• [5 personal days accrued each calendar year. The Paid time off benefits meet the paid sick and safe time laws that pertains to the City/ State]
• [10-15 days of paid vacation time]
• [6 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday per calendar year]
• [Ascendion Learning Management System]