Mid-Level Embedded Software Engineer (Clearance Required)

Ultra Electronics Group; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus

Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO)

401K with company match

Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

Student loan assistance program

Job summary

Ultra Electronics Group is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer in Tampa, Florida, to architect, implement, and certify high-assurance cryptographic systems for government clients. This role requires strong expertise in C and Rust programming along with a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance.

The position involves responsibility for developing embedded software, collaborating with engineers from various fields, and participating in the NSA High Assurance certification process. Competitive benefits include an annual bonus and a generous PTO package.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance is required.
• 5+ years of embedded software development experience in C and/or Rust.
• Strong understanding of memory management, concurrency, and embedded behavior.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software in C and Rust for cryptographic platforms.
• Perform trade studies and architecture design focusing on memory-safe designs.
• Collaborate with systems, hardware, security, and test engineers.

Skills

Embedded software development

C programming

Rust programming

Memory management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or equivalent

Tools

openOCD

gdb

JTAG/SWD debugging

Job description

Job Summary

Ultra ProLogic is expanding its encryption business and seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to help architect, implement, and certify high‑assurance cryptographic systems used by the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO, and allied partners.

What You’ll Work On

• High‑assurance cryptographic and key management systems supporting secure communications, remote rekey, and lifecycle management.
• Embedded software and firmware operating within defined crypto, INFOSEC, and High Assurance boundaries.
• Architecture and implementation of cryptographic information assurance (IA) software and systems.
• Modernization of legacy C baselines and architecting Rust‑based embedded solutions for security‑ and safety‑critical environments.
• Systems that undergo formal NSA High Assurance certification, from requirements through fielding and sustainment.

Role Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software primarily in C and Rust for cryptographic and security‑critical platforms.
• Architect cryptographic information assurance software and systems, including definition of security boundaries, trusted services, and separation of crypto and non‑crypto functions.
• Perform trade studies and embedded architecture design, with emphasis on memory‑safe designs and C‑to‑Rust transitions.
• Actively support the NSA High Assurance certification process, including requirements decomposition and traceability, security architecture definition and documentation, development of certification artifacts and evidence, participation in technical reviews and certification milestones, and development and maintenance of formal engineering documentation (Software & Hardware Requirements, Interface Control Documents, Design Descriptions).
• Develop and execute unit testing, integration, and acceptance testing, including hardware‑in‑the‑loop and security‑relevant test cases.
• Manage configuration control for software development items in certified baselines.
• Collaborate closely with systems, hardware, security, and test engineers in a high‑performance, mission‑driven team.
• Identify and implement process, tooling, and automation improvements to support secure development and certification efficiency.
• Periodic travel (~5%) for customer interaction, test events, or off‑site integration activities.

Required Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of embedded software development experience in C and/or Rust.
• Experience with low‑level embedded development and debugging on ARM‑based processors and SoC platforms; firmware and hardware/software integration; strong understanding of memory management, concurrency, and deterministic embedded behavior.

Preferred / Differentiating Experience

• 8+ years of embedded or firmware development experience.
• Experience with Rust in constrained embedded environments (no‑std, heapless, HAL).
• Direct experience with NSA High Assurance certification, RMF, or similar DoD security frameworks.
• Familiarity with cryptographic system design, key management, and secure boot/trust architectures.
• Experience with openOCD, gdb, JTAG/SWD debugging, AMD Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC (e.g., Xilinx ZCU102/104 Evaluation Kit or similar).
• Experience working in waterfall or agile development methodology‑based projects.
• Strong systems‑thinking mindset with the ability to assess technical risk and security impact.
• Clear communicator who thrives in collaborative, technically rigorous teams.

Our Benefits

• Annual Bonus – Performance related.
• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) package plus 11 company holidays; early finish on Friday.
• 401K with company match.
• Medical/Dental/Vision benefits.
• Student loan assistance program.
• Array of voluntary benefit offerings.

Additional Information

Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export‑controlled material as defined by the role’s requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ultra I&C is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected state or federal classes. We provide affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act. If you need an accommodation in any part of the application process, email [e-mail].