Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Codan Limited; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Adaptive Dynamics, a Codan Group company in San Diego, seeks a Principal Embedded Software Engineer to port and optimise numerical algorithms onto Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms. You will deliver production-quality embedded C/C++ software on ARM-based SoCs and work closely with FPGA/DSP teams.

The role emphasises real-time performance, collaboration with hardware engineers, and leading software delivery for key customer programmes in a small, expert engineering team.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or a related technical discipline.
• Proven hands-on experience porting and optimizing numerical algorithms for embedded platforms.
• Strong commercial embedded software development experience using C and/or C++.
• Demonstrated ability to translate reference models into production-quality embedded software for real-time systems.

Responsibilities

• Port and optimise computationally intensive numerical algorithms to a Qualcomm Snapdragon platform.
• Develop high-performance embedded software implementations of signal processing algorithms.
• Translate reference models into production-quality embedded C/C++ code.
• Optimise algorithms for real-time performance, throughput and efficient use of compute resources.
• Work with Snapdragon, ARM-based SoCs and embedded Linux environments.
• Collaborate with FPGA, DSP and signal processing engineers.
• Lead embedded software delivery for customer programmes.
• Participate in customer meetings and technical discussions.
• Help expand Adaptive Dynamics' embedded software capability into new markets and platforms.

Skills

Numerical algorithms porting

Embedded C/C++

Embedded software development

Real-time optimization

ARM-based SoCs

Embedded Linux

Independent / self-starter

Customer-facing communication

Education

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

Tools

Qualcomm Snapdragon

ARM-based SoCs

Embedded Linux

Job description

Title: Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Date: 28 Sept 2026

Location: United States, San Diego, CA, US

Location: San Diego, CA

Salary: $250,000 - $300,000 USD Annually, Negotiable.

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, skills, education, certifications and internal equity.

About Us

Adaptive Dynamics, a recent acquisition by the Codan Group, is a specialist engineering company based in San Diego, California, developing advanced interference mitigation technologies for mission‑critical communications and Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT).

Our software and firmware help protect wireless communications from intentional and unintentional interference, enabling reliable operation in some of the world's most demanding environments. Our technology is trusted across defence and national security applications, supporting land, maritime and airborne platforms.

Following our recent acquisition by Codan, a global technology company specialising in communications and electronic solutions, we are entering an exciting new phase of growth as we expand our capabilities into next‑generation embedded compute platforms.

About The Role

We're looking for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer with deep experience porting and optimising numerical algorithms for Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms.

This is a hands‑on senior engineering role focused on taking existing signal processing and numerical algorithms and implementing them as highly efficient, production‑quality embedded software. A key focus of the role will be porting algorithms onto Snapdragon and optimising them to meet demanding real‑time performance requirements.

You’ll be responsible for translating well‑defined reference implementations into efficient embedded C/C++ software, making effective use of the compute capabilities available within the Snapdragon platform.

You’ll take technical ownership of a key customer programme, working closely with our algorithm and FPGA engineers while helping shape our future embedded software capability.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex optimisation and real‑time computing challenges and wants to make a direct impact within a small, highly capable engineering team.

You Will

• Port and optimise computationally intensive numerical algorithms to a Qualcomm Snapdragon platform
• Develop high-performance embedded software implementations of existing signal processing algorithms
• Translate reference models into production-quality embedded C/C++ code
• Optimise algorithms for real‑time performance, throughput and efficient use of available compute resources
• Work with Snapdragon, ARM-based SoCs and embedded Linux environments
• Collaborate closely with FPGA, DSP and signal processing engineers
• Lead embedded software delivery for customer programmes
• Participate in customer meetings and technical discussions
• Help expand Adaptive Dynamics' embedded software capability into new markets and platforms

What We're Looking For

• Deep hands‑on experience porting and optimising numerical algorithms for Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms
• Strong commercial embedded software development experience using C and/or C++
• Demonstrable experience implementing computationally intensive algorithms on embedded platforms
• Strong understanding of software optimisation and real‑time performance
• Experience working with ARM-based SoCs and embedded Linux environments
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical delivery
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working directly with customers
• Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or a related technical discipline

Desirable

• Experience implementing digital signal processing algorithms
• GPU or other hardware‑accelerated computing experience
• Experience with Xilinx Zynq devices
• Experience porting algorithms from FPGA implementations or reference models into embedded software
• Familiarity with wireless communications, RF systems or software‑defined radio
• Defence or mission‑critical communications experience

Why Join Adaptive Dynamics?

• Work on cutting‑edge anti‑jamming and interference mitigation technology
• Join a small, highly experienced engineering team where your work has immediate impact
• Lead the embedded software implementation for next‑generation customer programmes
• Be part of an exciting growth journey as Adaptive Dynamics expands within the Codan Group
• Collaborate with experts in DSP, FPGA and wireless communications
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible hybrid working available once established in the role
• Ongoing opportunities to develop new technical skills and influence future products

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, paid time off, company holidays and other employee benefits programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Adaptive Dynamics, part of the Codan Group, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Successful applicants will need to be eligible to obtain a US Security Clearance.

If you’re passionate about embedded software, high‑performance numerical computing and solving technically challenging problems, we’d love to hear from you.