Embedded Systems Engineer (Remote)

LCS Defense; McLean (VA); Remote; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

LCS Defense is seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to lead design and production of ARM-based SBCs. You will own the product lifecycle from architecture to BSP bring-up, enclosure design, and manufacturing support, with emphasis on Linux, security, and reliable integration.

The role requires deep hardware-software collaboration, Yocto expertise, and experience with secure boot and accreditation processes, while enabling remote work US-wide with travel.

Qualifications

• 6–8 years of embedded Linux on ARM.
• Bachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• Hands-on Yocto experience building and maintaining images for custom hardware.
• Strong Linux networking experience.
• Comfortable at the BSP layer: device trees, U-Boot or equivalent, kernel and userspace integration.
• Mechanical CAD literacy for enclosure/assembly reviews.
• Working knowledge of embedded security practices and accreditation considerations.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a Yocto-based Linux distribution for custom ARM boards.
• Bring up Linux platform: bootloader, device tree, kernel, userspace, and BSP work.
• Implement and debug Linux networking and management.
• Coordinate with hardware partners and verify designs meet promises.
• Translate security controls into software/hardware features for accreditation.
• Apply secure boot, image signing, and hardware root of trust concepts.
• Support prototyping, mechanical enclosure reviews, and collaboration with partners.
• Document builds and tests to enable repeatability and scaling.
• Work with software, security, and product teams to production-ready platforms.

Skills

Embedded Linux

ARM platforms

Yocto

Linux networking

BSP layer

Security practices

Mechanical CAD literacy

Read vendor claims

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science

Tools

Yocto

U-Boot

Job description

Embedded Software Engineer

Experience Level: 6-8 years

Location: Remote (U.S.), with travel up to about one week per month

Eligibility: U.S. person

Clearance: Secret OR willing to achieve a security clearance after hire

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Embedded Systems or Computer Engineer to lead the design, development, and production of custom single-board computers (SBCs) based on ARM processors. This role combines deep hardware design, Linux systems software, and mechanical CAD/CAM work. You will own the full product lifecycle of compact, high-reliability computing platforms—from architecture and schematic design through Linux board support package (BSP) bring-up, mechanical enclosure design, and manufacturing support.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a Yocto-based Linux distribution for custom ARM boards.
• Bring up and sustain the Linux platform: bootloader, device tree, kernel, userspace, and BSP work as needed.
• Implement and debug Linux networking (interfaces, routing, failover, and related management).
• Work with hardware manufacturing partners as the technical check. Review designs and deliverables, verify they match what was promised, and flag problems early.
• Examine detailed security controls and translate them into actionable software/hardware features.
• Apply embedded security practices (secure boot, signed images, hardware root of trust) and understand how board, BSP, and distro choices affect later government security accreditation.
• Support prototyping and mechanical fit. Review and edit mechanical CAD, send markups back, and work with partners on enclosures and assemblies.
• Work with software, security, and product to get a production-ready platform.
• Document the platform, builds, and test steps so the work can be repeated and sustained.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 6-8 years of embedded Linux on ARM platforms.
• Hands-on Yocto experience building and maintaining images for custom hardware.
• Strong Linux networking experience.
• Comfortable at the BSP layer: device trees, U-Boot or equivalent, kernel and userspace integration.
• Able to read vendor hardware and software claims and tell whether they hold up.
• Mechanical CAD literacy: open, review, and edit enclosure or assembly files and return clear markups.
• Working knowledge of embedded security (secure boot, image signing, and how platform choices affect accreditation).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior BSP development or first-board Linux bring-up.
• Modem, radio, eSIM, or wireless certification experience.
• Low-power or battery-powered ARM / power management experience.
• Familiarity with NIAP protection profiles and mapping PP requirements to hardware and Linux images.
• 3D printing and general prototyping.
• Enough PCB or schematic background to review vendor designs (Altium, Cadence, or similar).
• High-speed digital, power integrity, or signal integrity enough to challenge a manufacturer.
• Work in defense, industrial, or other regulated environments.

What Success Looks Like

In the first 6-12 months you have a maintainable Yocto platform running on our hardware, Linux networking in good shape, and vendor deliverables that match what was committed. Security-relevant choices in the board and image are documented and defensible for later accreditation.