Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Motive Companies, LLC; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 83,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Motive Companies, LLC in Huntsville, AL seeks experienced Senior Embedded Software Engineers to develop real-time embedded control and application software for advanced rocket propulsion systems. You will work through the full software lifecycle from requirements to testing.

Strong C/C++ development experience and a background in safety-critical or mission-critical systems are required, with exposure to hardware-integrated environments and live rocket engine tests. U.S.

Qualifications

• 6+ years embedded real-time software development experience.
• 6+ years of C/C++ programming experience.
• Experience with safety-critical or human-rated software.
• Active Secret security clearance required at start.
• U.S. citizenship required; dual citizenship not permitted.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and test real-time embedded software for propulsion systems.
• Support full software development lifecycle: requirements, architecture, design, coding, unit testing, integration, verification.
• Produce detailed software documentation for mission-critical systems.
• Participate in design reviews, customer reviews, and milestones.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for hardware/software integration and lab testing.
• Identify opportunities to improve software development processes, tools, metrics, and efficiency.
• Support propulsion system testing, including live hot-fire tests.

Skills

Embedded real-time software

C/C++ programming

Safety-critical software

Software lifecycle

Education

Bachelor's degree with 6+ years experience OR Master's with 4+ years

Tools

RTOS (NI Linux/INTEGRITY/Red Hat/QNX)

UTP/UML tools (EA/Rhapsody/Cameo)

Job description

Job Details

Huntsville, AL

Contract

12 months

Shift: 1

Positions Available: 2

Job Description

We are seeking experienced Senior Embedded Software Engineers to develop real-time embedded control and application software for advanced rocket propulsion systems. This hands‑on role supports the full software development lifecycle, from requirements and design through implementation, integration, and testing.

The ideal candidate has strong C/C++ development experience, a background in safety‑critical or mission‑critical systems, and experience working in hardware‑integrated environments. This position offers the opportunity to support laboratory testing and live rocket engine hot‑fire tests.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and test real‑time embedded control and application software for propulsion systems.
• Support the full software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, architecture, design, coding, unit testing, integration, and verification.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for safety‑critical and mission‑critical software.
• Participate in software design reviews, customer reviews, and program milestone activities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support hardware/software integration and laboratory testing.
• Identify opportunities to improve software development processes, tools, metrics, and overall efficiency.
• Support propulsion system testing, including potential live hot‑fire engine tests.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance: Secret

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline with 6+ years of relevant experience; or a master's degree with 4+ years; or 10+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• 6+ years of embedded real‑time software development experience.
• 6+ years of C/C++ programming experience.
• Experience developing safety‑critical or human‑rated software.
• Strong understanding of the full software development lifecycle, including requirements, design, implementation, integration, and testing.
• Experience producing detailed software documentation for mission‑critical systems.
• Strong problem‑solving, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Active Secret security clearance required at start.
• U.S. citizenship required; dual citizenship is not permitted.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with real‑time operating systems (RTOS), including NI Linux, INTEGRITY, Red Hat Linux, or QNX.
• Knowledge of communication protocols such as MIL‑STD‑1553, TCP/IP, RS‑422, and SPI.
• Experience with UML and modeling tools such as Enterprise Architect, Rhapsody, or Cameo.
• Hardware/software integration and embedded systems testing experience.
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment, including oscilloscopes, multimeters, and power supplies.
• Experience with software development IDEs and lifecycle management tools.
• Understanding of CMMI Level 3 or higher software development processes.

Additional Details

• Location: Huntsville, AL
• Travel: Up to 10% to testing facilities in Alabama, Virginia, and California.

60.00 - 69.50 per hour (DOE)