Lead Embedded Software Engineer

ResilAient Talent Hub; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ResilAient Talent Hub seeks a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to guide mission-critical embedded systems development in Herndon, VA. You will drive Rust adoption, modernize legacy software, and deliver memory-safe solutions for real-time platforms, while mentoring teams and aligning with requirements, architecture, hardware/software integration, and testing.

The role demands 9+ years of experience (or 7+ with a Master’s), leadership in software teams, and DoD Secret clearance, with hands-on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 9+ years of experience or Master’s with 7+ years.
• 13+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree is also accepted.
• 3+ years leading software development teams, including 2+ years in an Agile leadership role.
• Professional Rust development experience.
• 5+ years of C/C++ development and OO design.
• 5+ years of Earned Value Management (EVM) tracking and 3+ years leading software proposals.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across multiple product lines and mentor engineers.
• Drive adoption of Rust and modernization of legacy C/C++ embedded software.
• Translate requirements into software, collaborate on hardware interfaces, and oversee testing.
• Develop embedded software in Rust, C, and C++ for RTOS environments (VxWorks, Linux, Integrity).
• Support program management tasks including cost estimation and proposals.

Skills

Rust

C/C++

Leadership

EVM tracking

Agile leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree

13+ years equivalent experience

Tools

VxWorks

Linux

Integrity RTOS

Job description

Compensation: $160,000 – $180,000 / year + Full Benefits

Clearance: Active US DoD Secret Security Clearance Required

Travel: Less than 10%

ABOUT THE ROLE

A leading aerospace and defence organization is seeking a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to guide the development of mission‑critical embedded systems in Herndon, VA.

This is a hands‑on technical leadership role focused on driving the adoption of Rust, modernizing legacy software, and delivering maintainable, memory‑safe solutions for complex real‑time platforms. You will set engineering direction across multiple product lines, mentor software teams, and remain closely involved across requirements, architecture, hardware‑software integration, and formal testing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Technical Leadership: Guide multidisciplinary engineering teams through the full software development lifecycle (SDLC), providing technical direction and mentoring junior engineers.
• Rust Adoption: Drive the deployment of Rust—including associated techniques, idioms, design patterns, and tooling—and guide the conversion/integration of legacy C/C++ embedded software.
• Full Lifecycle Engineering: Translate operational requirements into working software, collaborate with hardware/systems teams on interface design, write test plans, and oversee defect resolution.
• Real‑Time Development: Develop embedded software using Rust, C, C++, and Python for RTOS environments such as VxWorks, Linux, and Integrity.
• Program Management Support: Support EVM tracking, software proposal packages, cost estimation, and software planning efforts.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field + 9+ years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree + 7+ years of relevant experience;

OR

• 13+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Leadership: 3+ years leading software development teams, including 2+ years in an Agile software‑lead or comparable technical leadership role.
• Rust Expertise: Professional software development experience in Rust.
• C/C++ & Design: 5+ years of C or C++ development and object‑oriented design experience.
• Program Execution: 5+ years of Earned Value Management (EVM) tracking experience and 3+ years leading software proposals (including cost estimates and proposal packages).
• Clearance & Logistics: Active US DoD Secret Security Clearance and US work authorization without sponsorship.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Development of embedded real‑time systems, device drivers, and Board Support Packages (BSPs).
• Object‑oriented design using UML or tools like IBM Rhapsody, MagicDraw, or Cameo.
• Background in Information Assurance, cryptography, NSA Type 1 certification, or safety/certification standards such as DO-178.
• Strong written, verbal, and technical communication skills.

WHY JOIN US?

• Senior technical leadership role shaping next‑generation defence platforms.
• Opportunity to lead architecture modernization using cutting‑edge memory‑safe practices (Rust).
• Comprehensive benefits package and long‑term product responsibility.