Embedded Systems Engineer

ALTEN; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA, a leading engineering partner, seeks an Embedded Systems Engineer to design and integrate boards, sensors, and firmware for aircraft and ground stations.

You’ll work at the hardware–software boundary, define interfaces, bring up new boards, and verify subsystems from bench tests to flight tests, collaborating with Electrical, Mechanical, and Onboard Software teams in Mountain View, CA (onsite).

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years in embedded systems, hardware/software integration or test.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for firmware and Python for automation.
• Experience with CAN, SPI, I2C, UART; debugging protocols.

Responsibilities

• Integrate boards, sensors, actuators, and links into aircraft/ground subsystems.
• Define and document subsystem interfaces, messages, timing, power, failure behavior.
• Bring up new boards and revisions; write firmware and test code.
• Plan and run bench, hardware-in-the-loop, and flight test verification.
• Contribute to component/sensor selection; review schematics with Electrical.
• Triaged integration issues across hardware, firmware, and comms with teams.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Embedded systems

Signal debugging

Education

BS in Electrical/Computer/Systems Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Embedded Linux

RTOS

Job description

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life‑saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

Our client is the first non‑military unmanned aircraft company to receive FAA Type Certification (2022) and operate under an FAA Production Certificate. We’re seeking an Embedded Systems Engineer to make the boards, sensors, and software on our aircraft and ground stations work together as reliable systems. Working at the boundary between hardware and software, you’ll define interfaces and requirements, bring up and integrate new boards and peripherals, and prove they work through bench, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, and flight testing. You’ll work closely with our Electrical, Mechanical, and Onboard Software teams, alongside senior engineers who will help you grow your scope.

Responsibilities

• Integrate boards, sensors, actuators, and communication links into working subsystems on our aircraft and ground stations
• Define and document subsystem requirements and interfaces, including messages, timing, power, and failure behavior across CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, and BLE
• Bring up new boards and hardware revisions with Electrical, and write the firmware and test code needed to exercise them
• Plan and run subsystem verification, from bench and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing through flight test, including test plans, acceptance criteria, and sign‑off
• Contribute to component and sensor selection and trade studies, and review schematics and designs with Electrical
• Triage integration and field issues across hardware, firmware, and comms, and collaborate with Electrical, Mechanical, Onboard Software, Operations, Safety, and Production

Required Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years in embedded systems, hardware/software integration, or test
• Working proficiency in C/C++ for firmware and test tooling, plus Python for automation and data analysis
• Solid knowledge of embedded communication protocols (CAN, SPI, I2C, UART) and how to debug them
• Comfort reading board‑level schematics and datasheets, and debugging at the signal level using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
• Experience writing requirements, test plans, and acceptance criteria, and verifying a subsystem against them
• Ability to support flight test needs and debug systems rapidly at our flight test facility
• Clear technical communication and strong cross‑disciplinary teamwork in a fastpaced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• UAV, autonomous robotics, aerospace, or other safety‑critical regulated experience
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop test setups and test automation
• Familiarity with an autopilot stack such as ArduPilot or PX4, and UAV/avionics technologies (ADS‑B, GPS/GNSS, LiDAR, radar)
• Experience with embedded Linux on ARM, an RTOS, or bare‑metal firmware
• Experience with power systems, battery management systems, or smart battery ICs
• Experience with environmental, EMI/EMC, or reliability testing
• Familiarity with systems engineering practices such as interface control documents, requirements traceability, or FMEA
• Experience using AI coding assistants to accelerate development
• Hands‑on PCB, wiring harness, or lab prototyping experience

Salary Range

• $140,000 - 160,000
• The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job‑related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug‑free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre‑employment drug screening as a condition of hire.