Principal HW/SW Integration Engineer Lead

Lynx; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 166,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

401K match

PTO & holidays

Remote work opportunities

EAP

Career development

Job summary

Lynx is seeking a Principal HW/SW Integration Engineer Lead in Huntsville, AL to drive the design and integration of embedded flight software for a missile platform. You will collaborate with FSW, FPGA, and HW teams to ensure data architecture, interfaces, and real-time performance meet mission-critical requirements.

The role requires 8+ years in systems engineering, a STEM degree, and an active Secret clearance. Onsite work is mandatory with up to 25% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM or related experience.
• 8+ years in systems engineering with a focus on integration and testing.
• SW background with strong systems understanding of hardware.
• Ability to work in fluctuating systems engineering environments.
• Understanding of software build needs and requirements.
• Experience with ICDs/IDDs to define system requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering high-impact solutions.
• Active Secret Clearance Required.
• Ability to work onsite 100%.
• Travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Implement internal data architecture at the vehicle level.
• Ensure end-to-end data and interface compatibility across the system.
• Define and maintain internal messages and data flow through the missile.
• Support external message definition with Ground Weapons System (GWS).
• Collaborate with FSW, FPGA, and HW teams to drive data architecture and HW/SW integration items.
• Support sequence diagram development with architecture team.
• Develop IEIDDs, resolve TBxs, and address system-level gaps.
• Assist with data architecture updates found during hardware testing phases.
• Drive closure of HW/SW integration issues from design through testing and initial flight.
• Support interface documentation reviews (internal SDRL/CDRL).
• Support HW/SW configuration definition, conops, and parameter management.

Skills

Systems engineering

Data architecture

HW/SW integration

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Confluence

JIRA

Bitbucket

Job description

Principal HW/SW Integration Engineer Lead

Job Title: Principal HW/SW Integration EngineerLead

Salary Range: $166,400 - $208,000, plus bonus eligible

This position requires full time onsite in Huntsville, Alabama.

Company Overview

Founded in 2004 with locations in Atlanta, GA, Fort Worth, TX, Denver, CO, & Huntsville, AL, Thompson Software Solutions (TSS) is a mission-driven aerospace and defense software and systems engineering company supporting the U.S. military, defense primes, and commercial space partners. We specialize in the development, integration, test, and deployment of safety & mission-critical software systems that power next-generation aircraft, defense platforms, and space technologies. Our team understands what it takes to modernize complex embedded systems while maintaining the rigor, compliance, and reliability required for mission and safety-critical environments.

As a defense-focused company of highly skilled and dedicated engineers, we take pride in solving complex technical challenges that directly impact national security and operational readiness. We partner closely with customers across the military aviation and space domains to deliver resilient, future-ready solutions with portability, sustainability, and long-term mission success in mind.

Description

Thompson Software Solutions is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to support the development of embedded flight software capabilities for an advanced missile platform. This role offers the opportunity to lead the design and integration of mission-critical software operating in high-performance, real-time environments where precision, reliability, and deterministic execution are paramount.

This position requires a software engineer to use a wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in the software field to develop, integrate, and test software products. The successful candidate will be a member of a high-performing multi-site team and must be self-motivated with a strong work ethic, time-management, and interpersonal skills. In this role, you will work independently at times on projects, at other times will be in a collaborative team environment with other software engineers, as well as other program development and deployment teams.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Continued eligibility for access to classified information is required throughout employment, as dictated by program needs.

Main Responsibilities:

• Implement internal data architecture and development activities at the holistic vehicle level
• Ensure end-to-end data and interface compatibility throughout the system inclusive of external interfaces
• Define and maintain internal messages and data flow through the missile
• Supports external message definition with the Ground Weapons System (GWS).
• Collaborate with FSW, FPGA, and HW teams to drive closure of data architecture and HW/SW integration items
• Support sequence diagram development with architecture team
• Collaborate with FSW, FPGA, and HW teams develop IEIDDs, resolve TBxs, and address system-level gaps
• Assist with any data architecture updates found during hardware testing phases
• Drive closure of HW/SW integration issues from the design perspective through testing and initial flight as they are identified by the team
• Support relevant interface documentation reviews including internal, SDRL, and CDRL
• Support HW/SW configuration definition, conops, and parameter management

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in STEM discipline or related experience.
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering, with a strong focus on systems-level development testing and integration.
• SW background with strong systems understanding and knowledge of systems-level hardware
• Ability and desire to work in fluctuating systems engineering environment
• Software background to understand software build needs and requirements
• Experience with ICDs and IDDs to define system requirements
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering high-impact solutions.
• Experience with I&T integration and test.
• Ability to professionally communicate project status and collaborate on technical solutions with clients and peers
• Active Secret Clearance Required
• Ability to work onsite 100%
• Ability to Travel up to 25%

Preferred / Additional Skills

• Proficient with Atlassian Tools (Confluence, JIRA, Bitbucket, etc.)
• Experience leading technical projects or mentoring junior engineers.
• Systems-level experience with hardware and interface implementation (e.g., RS422, SpaceWire, etc.)
• Experience developing and executing system-level and HIL test procedures
• Strong understanding of requirements verification and validation processes
• Experience troubleshooting integrated HW/SW systems in a lab environment
• Experience communicating and documenting complex technical designs
• Ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills

• Low-cost Medical / Dental / Vision coverage options
• 401K with generous employer match
• Responsible Paid Time Off + Paid Holidays
• Remote work opportunities based on role
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Career growth and professional development opportunities

Lynx is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity and/or expression, or other characteristics or status protected by law.