Principal Embedded Software Architect (Top Secret Clearance Required)

STR; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 219,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

STR is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Architect to define and lead the embedded software architecture for advanced RF systems, including SDR, digital receivers/exciters, and radar subsystems built around MPSoC platforms.

You will work hands-on in C/C++ and embedded Linux while providing technical leadership across FPGA, RF, digital hardware, and systems engineering. Strong background in MPSoC/SoC, FPGAs, and high-speed data paths is required.

Qualifications

• BS with 8+ years or MS with 5+ years in embedded systems.
• Active Top Secret clearance; US citizenship.
• Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ and embedded Linux.
• Experience with MPSoCs/SoCs, FPGAs, high-speed ADCs/DACs, and RF hardware interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead embedded software for MPSoC-based RF systems from requirements through deployment.
• Define hardware/software partitions; develop production-quality C/C++ and embedded Linux software (drivers, BSPs, kernel interfaces).
• Bring up boards and platforms with FPGA/RF teams; manage high-speed ADCs/DACs, JESD links, and clocks.
• Design, implement, and optimize data paths between FPGAs and processors with deterministic latency.
• Lead system integration and test; prepare architecture documents, ICDs, and specs.
• Mentor embedded/firmware engineers; lead design reviews and set development standards.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Embedded Linux

System architecture

Leadership

Education

BS/MS in CS/EE/AE or related field

Tools

FPGA

ADC/DAC

MPSoC/SoC

JESD204B/C

Vivado

PetaLinux

Yocto/Buildroot

JTAG

Logic analyzers

Job description

Principal Embedded Software Architect (Top Secret Clearance Required)

Arlington, VA

Principal Embedded Software Architect

The Systems Development Division (SDD) delivers technology advantage into users’ hands by delivering capabilities focused on end-customer needs that function in operationally relevant environments and timeframes. SDD considers the entire lifecycle of the solution, from conceptualization and architecting, through development, to deployment, while leveraging novel technologies to deliver first-of-a-kind systems. Current efforts include programs for airborne and space RF as well as advanced testing enabled by multi-function, multi-modal capabilities.

STR is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Architect to define and lead the embedded software architecture for advanced RF systems, including software-defined radios, digital receivers/exciters, and radar subsystems built around MPSoC platforms. You will work hands‑on in C/C++ and embedded Linux while providing technical leadership across a multidisciplinary team spanning FPGA, RF, digital hardware, and systems engineering.

In this role, you will own the embedded software stack that integrates high-speed data converters, FPGAs, and multi-core processors, with emphasis on data acquisition, streaming, timing, and deterministic control. You will drive system bring‑up, integration, and test, ensuring that solutions meet performance, reliability, and maintainability requirements for operationally relevant environments.

What you will do

• Architect and lead development of embedded software for MPSoC-based RF systems (e.g., SDR, digital receivers/exciters, radar subsystems), from requirements through deployment.
• Define hardware/software partitions and interfaces; develop production-quality C/C++ and embedded Linux software (drivers, BSPs, low-level control, and application-level services).
• Bring up new boards and platforms in close collaboration with FPGA, RF, and hardware teams; configure and control high-speed ADCs/DACs, JESD links, and clocking/timing devices.
• Design, implement, and optimize data acquisition and streaming paths between FPGAs and processors, ensuring coherent timing, deterministic latency, and high-throughput operation.
• Lead system-level integration and test, including performance analysis, troubleshooting, and risk mitigation; prepare and maintain architecture documents, ICDs, and technical specifications.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to embedded and firmware engineers; lead design reviews, set development standards, and communicate status and technical decisions to stakeholders and customers.

Who you are

• This position requires an Active Top Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government
• BS or Master’s in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ for real-time, resource-constrained systems, and experience with embedded Linux (drivers, BSPs, kernel-level interfaces).
• Solid understanding of hardware/software interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO, DMA, memory-mapped registers) and hands‑on debugging using tools such as JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
• Demonstrated experience architecting and integrating complex embedded systems involving MPSoCs/SoCs, FPGAs, and high-speed ADCs/DACs for RF or similar data-intensive applications.
• Proven technical leadership experience: guiding multi-disciplinary teams, translating system requirements into embedded architectures, leading design reviews, and mentoring engineers.
• Background should include a BS and at least 8 years of applicable experience; or a Master’s and at least 5 years of applicable experience. Equivalent experience will be considered.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC platforms and tools (Vivado, Vitis, PetaLinux).
• Practical experience with digital receiver/exciter systems, SDR, radar, phased arrays, or EW systems; familiarity with JESD204B/C, coherent multichannel timing, and clock distribution.
• Familiarity with DSP concepts relevant to embedded RF (DDC/DUC, filtering, beamforming, waveform generation) and radar/EW timing and synchronization.
• Experience with multithreaded programming, IPC, and synchronization in embedded Linux; familiarity with Yocto/Buildroot and high-throughput interfaces (PCIe, 10/25/100 GbE).
• Experience developing reusable embedded frameworks/HALs and leading full lifecycle development (requirements, architecture, implementation, integration, verification) for aerospace/defense or other high-reliability applications.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $219,000 - $300,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STRis committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at www.str.us for more info.

STRis an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at [e-mail] and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in STR’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.