Senior Real-Time Software Developer

Emerson; Round Rock (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Emerson in Austin, Texas seeks a skilled software engineer for embedded firmware and workstation applications powering PACSystems. You will contribute to both embedded controller software and engineering tools, working across Linux and VxWorks RTOS environments in a cross-functional Agile team.

The role emphasizes real-time, deterministic control, diagnostics, configuration, visualization, and management workflows in demanding industrial environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering plus 5+ years of experience.
• Strong knowledge of embedded software development using C/C++.
• Basic understanding of Linux and/or VxWorks RTOS concepts, including real-time execution and memory management.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional Agile team in PACSystems development.
• Contribute to embedded controller platform and engineering software tools.
• Work on PLC programming capabilities, deterministic control execution, and diagnostics.
• Develop software across embedded and workstation layers with timing and reliability in mind.
• Participate in automated testing and AI-assisted development workflows.
• Engage in sprint planning, code reviews, and retrospectives.

Skills

Embedded software

C/C++ programming

Linux

VxWorks RTOS

Distributed control

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS/CE/EE

Tools

Linux

VxWorks

Job description

Are you a software engineer who is excited by the challenge of building both embedded firmware and user-facing applications that power industrial automation systems? Emerson has an exciting opportunity for you.

We are looking for curious, motivated engineers who enjoy working across the full software stack, from real-time controller firmware running on Linux and VxWorks RTOS to workstation applications used by engineers to configure, program, visualize, and manage industrial automation systems. Based in Austin, Texas, you will join a diverse community and work as a contributing member of a cross-functional Agile team focused on the development of Emerson's PACSystems technologies.

PACSystems is trusted by leading companies across discrete and hybrid manufacturing industries to safely and reliably control critical processes. In this role, you will contribute to both the embedded controller platform and the engineering software tools that interact with PACSystems controllers. Your work may include PLC programming capabilities, deterministic control execution, industrial communications, diagnostics, configuration, visualization, and management workflows used in demanding industrial environments.

You will contribute to the design and development of next-generation PACSystems software capabilities across embedded and workstation layers. Our work includes C and C++ software development, real-time distributed computing, Linux and VxWorks RTOS environments, workstation application development, and systems where timing, reliability, usability, and predictable behavior are critical. Our team also embraces modern development practices, including automated testing, AI-assisted development, and spec-driven methods that improve quality and reduce ambiguity.

You will be part of an organization led by leaders who are deeply committed to technical excellence, Agile principles, mentorship, and building an environment where engineers do their best work. If you are looking for a role where you can grow quickly, contribute meaningfully, and be part of something that has lasting real-world impact, we want to hear from you.

IN THIS ROLE, YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL:

• Collaborate - Contribute to a creative team atmosphere, participate in code reviews, and actively engage in Agile activities such as sprint planning and retrospectives. Take part in Hackathons, Tech Talks, and Communities of Practice with like-minded engineers.
• Learn from Domain Experts - Work alongside experienced engineers, product managers, and subject matter experts in industrial automation to build your understanding of the domain and learn how real-world requirements translate into software.
• Contribute to Specifications - Support the authoring and review of structured software specifications, gaining hands-on experience with spec-driven development practices and AI-assisted development workflows.
• Innovate - Write software using modern tools, frameworks, and AI-enabled development practices. Learn to apply spec-driven methodologies to improve quality, reduce ambiguity, and accelerate your own delivery.
• Automate - Write automated unit tests and contribute to system-level testing to support a healthy automation pipeline and a release-ready product.
• Iterate - Actively participate in team retrospectives and bring ideas for how the team can improve its processes and ways of working.
• Tech Savvy - Stay curious about emerging technologies, AI development tooling, and spec-driven methodologies, and look for opportunities to apply new skills to real problems.
• Always Curious - Ask questions, challenge assumptions, and take time to understand the problem before diving into solutions. Treat every task as a learning opportunity.
• Team Obsessed - Engage openly with your teammates, actively seek feedback, and commit to continuous improvement in both your work and your craft.

WHO YOU ARE:

You enjoy solving complex technical problems and learning how software, hardware, networks, and industrial control systems work together. You are comfortable moving between low-level firmware development and higher-level workstation application software. You are naturally curious, collaborative, and committed to continuous improvement.

FOR THIS ROLE, YOU WILL NEED:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline plus 5+ years of experience; or Master's degree plus 3+ years of experience.
• Strong knowledge of embedded software development using C and C++
• Basic understanding of Linux and/or VxWorks RTOS concepts, including real-time execution, concurrency, memory management, and debugging
• Strong problem-solving skills and a genuine desire to understand complex, distributed control systems
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship now and in the future Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1 (including those with OPT or CPT), H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work