Lead Embedded Software Engineer

Coherent; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Aerospace & Defense seeks an embedded software engineer to develop advanced laser subsystem software for defense applications. You will design, implement, and document embedded software within a cross-disciplinary team including systems, optical, electrical, and FPGA engineers.

You will contribute to software requirements, architecture, testing, and integration across boards and target environments, with emphasis on RTOS/embedded Linux and real-time constraints in secure defense

Qualifications

• Significant experience designing and developing embedded software solutions.
• Experience with hardware/software tradeoffs in partitioning architectures.
• Strong understanding of embedded processor platforms and SoCs.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design software for embedded systems within a cross-disciplinary team.
• Develop, document, and test software; create Software Requirements, SDDs, and ICDs.
• Lead software development on assigned projects and provide integration support.

Skills

Embedded systems design

C/C++ programming

RTOS/Embedded Linux

Debugging/troubleshooting

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

LabVIEW

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

AMD/Xilinx platforms

LabVIEW

Job description

Coherent Aerospace & Defense, Emerging Laser Subsystems Business Unit is seeking an embedded software engineer to contribute to the development of advanced laser systems for defense applications.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Software Architecture and Design: Works as a member of a cross-disciplinary team of systems engineers, optical engineers, electrical engineers, and FPGA engineers to conceptualize a system solution that meets customer requirements. Responsible for designing, developing, and documenting software for assigned projects. Creates design documentation including Software Requirements Documents, block diagrams, Software Design Documents, and Interface Control Documents. May serve as the lead software engineer on assigned projects.

• Software Development and Test: Develops software (primarily embedded) to meet the requirements of the system under development. Writes software test plans and tests software at various levels of integration (unit tests, tests on target architecture, test with target electronics). Writes software scripts and tools to support software development and system test.
• System Integration and Test Support: Develops Software Test Plans and supports integration and test activities from initial board-level bring-up through final system test.
• Technical Expertise: Extensive knowledge and expertise in embedded systems and software development. Makes accurate detailed work plans for moderately complex systems/projects; may take lead role in planning and executing tasks; able to work many complex tasks simultaneously; able to plan resource requirements for task completion. Regularly works independently with minimal supervision to achieve goals and objectives. Able to complete routine work without considerable direction; receives general instructions on new assignments.

Education & Experience

Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent expeirence.

Skills

• Must have significant demonstrated experience in designing and developing software solutions in embedded systems. Must have deep understanding of tradeoffs involved in hardware/software functional partitioning.
• Must have a strong understanding of embedded processor platforms and be familiar with microcontrollers, FPGAs and system-on-chip devices. Experience with AMD/Xilinx platforms is preferred.
• Must have significant past experience developing software in C and C++, and a strong background in object-oriented programming. Must have strong debugging and troubleshooting skills. Experience developing in one or more of the following are also highly desirable: C#, Python, LabVIEW.
• Must have significant experience developing software for real-time operating systems (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux
• Must have strong understanding of embedded hardware devices, chip-to-chip interfaces, and networking protocols.
• Must have demonstrated experience working with cross-disciplinary engineering teams to develop and test highly-functional integrated systems.
• Experience working with laser systems is desired but not required. Past experience on high-reliability systems for defense and/or space is desired but not required.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a US Government security clearance if one is required to perform the job responsibilities.

Working Conditions

Primarily an engineering design function with office working conditions.

Physical Requirements

Primarily an engineering design function with few physical requirements.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and II-VI Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Coherent Aerospace & Defense is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8. U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

About the Team

II-VI Aerospace & Defense is a high technology company, offering careers in offices and campuses in California, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. We work with emerging technology in areas of atmospheric sensing and imaging, adaptive optics, optical communications, coherent beam combining, and numerical performance analysis of atmospheric optics systems. II-VI A&D has recently been awarded several new government contracts and we are offering opportunities to leverage your technical experience and interpersonal skills for something more than a simple paycheck. If this sounds like the type of environment you are seeking at this point in your career, and if your background meets these qualifications, we will offer a competitive salary and benefits. Since II-VI A&D is a rapidly expanding organization, it means that significant opportunities exists for career advancement and professional development.

Job Info

• Job Identification 2009655
• Posting Date 12/30/2025, 08:13 PM
• Degree Level Bachelor's Degree
• Job Schedule Full time