Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Systems is seeking an Embedded Firmware Developer in Huntsville, AL to lead firmware architecture and testing for FPGA, microcontroller, and SoC platforms. The role entails collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams on aerospace and defense programs.

Requirements include a BS in ABET-accredited Electrical/Computer/Software Engineering, 4+ years in embedded design (2+ with MS), and C/C++ experience. US citizenship and ability to obtain a Secret clearance are required.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Computer/Software Engineering or equivalent from ABET-accredited program.
• 4+ years of embedded system design and test (2+ years with MS).
• Understand trade-offs for FPGA/SoC/microcontroller targets.
• Proven embedded C/C++ or assembly coding experience.
• Experience with UART, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, CAN buses.
• Lab experience with instrumentation and debugging methods.
• Must work in North Alabama or relocate to Huntsville area; US citizenship and ability to obtain Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture decisions from concept to production.
• Architect, implement, and test embedded firmware across platforms.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and customers.
• Troubleshoot board-level issues and drive root-cause analysis.
• Support manufacturing and test of deliverables.

Skills

Embedded firmware

C/C++

RTOS

FPGA

Microcontrollers

SoC architectures

Debugging

Education

ABET-accredited degree

Tools

VHDL/Verilog

Xilinx FPGA tools

Embedded debugging tools

Job description

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos’ Defense Systems Electrical Systems department is seeking a talented Embedded Firmware Developer to join our team. The Electrical Systems Department is a design-focused group of engineers specializing in advanced hardware-based products. The individual selected for this position will be an embedded design engineer with varied technical interests and demonstrated engineering and leadership skills. The individual must be a self-starter with experience working with inter-disciplinary teams to solve challenging technical problems. The engineer will lead efforts on and develop architectures for embedded systems integrated into a diverse range of aerospace and military systems including manned/unmanned ground/air vehicles, missiles, defensive radars, and space systems.

The selected candidate will be a key technical leader in a fast-paced environment through all phases of the product life cycle from concept development and detailed design through manufacturing, qualification testing, and post-delivery support. The candidate will be responsible for architecting, implementing, and testing embedded firmware and software on a variety of platforms, including FPGAs, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and mixed signal designs. Additional skills such as communications data-link design, digital-signal processing (DSP) design, system design, experience with technical trade studies, and evaluation of technology improvements are a plus.

With a product focus, the individual is also expected to actively partner with other engineers, project managers, technicians, and the customer to develop solutions that adhere to a diverse set of requirements. This includes architecture decisions from requirements that help inform and drive hardware implementations and working closely with hardware engineers. Additionally, the engineer will support resolution of technical issues that are discovered during the manufacture and test of deliverable products. This will include troubleshooting board-level issues, assessing failures for root cause, and identifying corrective actions. The ideal candidate will thrive in a learning environment that encourages leadership and technical growth.

Leidos Defense Systems Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Key technical leader in a fast-paced, environment.

• Responsible for all phases of the product life cycle from concept development and detailed design through manufacturing, qualification testing, and post-delivery support.

• Responsible for architecting, implementing, and testing embedded firmware and software on a variety of platforms, including FPGAs, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and mixed signal designs.

• Additional skills such as communications data-link design, digital-signal processing (DSP) design, system design, experience with technical trade studies, and evaluation of technology improvements are a plus.

• Support resolution of technical issues that are discovered during the manufacture and test of deliverable products.

• Troubleshooting board-level issues, assessing failures for root cause, and identifying corrective actions.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or equivalent degree from an ABET-accredited institution.

• Candidate must have at least 4+ years of experience in embedded system design and test or 2+ years with MS degree.

• Understand trade-offs of embedded system targets (such as FPGA, SoC, microcontroller, RTOS, bare-metal) for developing best cost/option architectures

• Proven experience with embedded software/firmware programming in languages such as C, C++, or assembly languages

• Experience with common communication protocols such as: UART, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, CAN bus, etc.

• Hands‑on laboratory experience with instrumentation, test equipment, and debug/test methods

• Position requires candidates to be capable of performing in a collaborative engineering environment working closely with multi-disciplinary teams

• Candidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area

• Candidate must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a Final Secret Clearance or meet the eligibility to obtain (and maintain) a Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Developing overall firmware/software architecture for embedded systems

• Embedded operating systems (Linux, VxWorks, Integrity, FreeRTOS, uC/OS-II)

• GNU/Linux and development of kernel drivers

• Experience with hardware description languages such as VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.

• Utilizing modern Xilinx FPGA and SoC families and design tools(Xilinx IP Cores, AXI4, AXI-Stream)

• Software or FPGA test and verification experience (unit testing, FPGA simulation testbenching, HWIL)

• RISC microprocessors architectures (ARM Cortex, Microblaze, PowerPC, RISC-V)

• Memory architectures, types,and caching

• Experience with high speed interfaces (PCIe, Aurora, 100GbE, JESD204B)

• Electronics and PCBA design

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.